Twitter Reactions: Kolkata Knight Riders halt the steady march of the Rajasthan Royals

The Kolkata Knight Riders successfully registered their third win in the ongoing edition of the IPL. After having lost two games following their win in their first game of the season, many believed that they had lost the track. But they have bounced back well since the two defeats. They beat the Delhi Daredevils in Kolkata and have now backed it up with another win against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.

Coming in to the game, the battle between the two sides looked like an evenly matched contest on the cards. Both teams had won their previous games and looked to find consistency with a win in this particular game. Team RR would believe that they lost the track in the game despite getting a fine start. The run chase of 160 proved to be a little too easy for KKR as they were over the line with 7 wickets in hand.

Earlier in the game, the Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Dinesh Karthik opted to bowl first after winning the toss. They fielded an unchanged eleven and so did the hosts. The Rajasthan Royals hoped for a good start from their openers – Ajinkya Rahane and D Arcy Short. While Short has been struggling with his form in the tournament thus far, Rahane has been brisk at the other end.

The same story continued on the day as well. Rahane got off to a flying start but Short’s struggle on the Indian tracks was visible. The duo added 56 runs for the first wicket with Rahane dominating the proceedings. In came Nitish Rana in to the bowling attack and accounted for the dismissals of both the openers. The introduction of Rana in to the bowling attack proved to be a masterstroke from Dinesh Karthik yet again.

Ajinkya Rahane scored a quick 36 off 19 balls during his stay at the crease, while Short scored 44 off 43 deliveries. Following the dismissal of the openers, the Rajasthan Royals fell apart big time. The KKR bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla in particular, bowled highly economical spells to choke the run flow. The innings rallied along with regular dents before eventually finishing up with a decent total of 160/8 in 20 overs.

In the run chase, Kolkata Knight Riders lost Chris Lynn for a duck with K Gowtham striking in the very first over. Sunil Narine blasted 35 off 25 deliveries from the other end, and Robin Uthappa also played well for his 36-ball 48 to put KKR in a commanding position. The Royals got their breakthrough with Narine getting run out in the 9th over and Gowtham dismissed Uthappa three overs later.

The Royals thought they had a sniff in the game but Dinesh Karthik (42*) and Nitish Rana (35*) ensured that the Kolkata Knight Riders did not lose the plot despite two major blows. The visitors eased past the target with 7 wickets in hand.

Here is how the fans reacted to the match:

Always rated Robin Uthappa highly in the shortest format…perhaps, should’ve played for India a little more in T20s. #RRvKKR #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 18, 2018

Another good game for Nitish Rana. And I have so enjoyed watching Dinesh Karthik bat. For #KKR to win against a good #RajasthanRoyals team without needing Andre Russell is an excellent result.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 18, 2018

Few batsmen have looked as composed and ready as Robin Uthappa this year. Ball leaves the bat so beautifully. But does need to move past the 30s and 40s into matchwinning 80s

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 18, 2018

Karni Sena to protest against KKR for killing the honour of their #IPL team at their own backyard.

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) April 18, 2018

Bring back Pune Warriors

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) April 18, 2018

Lol at people watching this match. RR bench is smashing KKR bench back in the nets now. KKR losing the all important #IndianBenchLeague

— Alagappan V (@IndianMourinho) April 18, 2018

Kolkata Knight Riders become the first team to win 50 matches while chasing in the IPL. They were also the first team with 50 wins in the Twenty20 format while chasing. #IPL2018 #RRvKKR

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) April 18, 2018

Nitish Rana seems a class act. Very intelligent cricketer who can play according to the needs of the situation. Useful bowler too. Very impressive #RRvKKR #VIVOIPL

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) April 18, 2018

Only positive thing about this boring game was it ended half an hour early. #IPL

— Silly Point ?‏ (@FarziCricketer) April 18, 2018

Sunil narine is the best thing happened to IPL, no matter how boring the match is, the west indian brahmin always entertaining the spectators.

— tanha suffer (@tanhasuffer) April 18, 2018

Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi are the most boring teams in IPL history

— Mvrk Guy (@MvrkGuy) April 18, 2018

This is the first boring match of the ipl

— kane gandalf williamson (@llapskywalker) April 18, 2018

#RRvKKR Only Rajasthan can play this very special brand of cricket that makes even the IPL boring.

— toplass?? (@messyrodeo) April 18, 2018

Very comfortable win again for the @KKRiders . DK's composure was vital in the end but what amazing consistency and responsibility young Nitish Rana has taken #RRvKKR

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 18, 2018

aaj fir srk ne shilpa shetty ko chhat se niche gira diya

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) April 18, 2018

18th April, 2008 – #KKR dominate and win the first-ever #VIVOIPL match!

18th April, 2018 – @KKRiders dominate and win in #RRvKKR!

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 18, 2018

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