Twitter Reactions: Mumbai Indians storm to the playoffs

Mumbai Indians became the first team to qualify for the playoffs as they defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the second time in the tournament. With this win, they also replaced Kolkata Knight Riders at the top of the points table.

Earlier in the day, it was captain Virat Kohli who won the toss as RCB elected to bat first.  They made 3 changes to the side as Shane Watson, Mandeep Singh and Aniket Choudary were brought into the playing XI. For Mumbai Indians, Karn Sharma replaced an injured Harbhajan Singh on the side.

RCB began with a positive approach with Mandeep Singh and Captain Virat Kohli opening the batting. However, by the end of the power play overs, both were back to the dugout. AB De Villiers after a long duration seemed to be in his prime. His stay at the crease didn’t last long as he missed out on a half-century.

Krunal Pandya got the wicket of AB De Villiers for the fourth time. Kedhar Jadhav also got a good start but failed to convert into anything big. As the lower order faltered, Pawan Negi again chipped in with a useful contribution as he smashed a quickfire 35(23) to take RCB to 162/8 in their quota of 20 overs.

Mitchell McClenaghan was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/34, two of them came in the last over. Krunal Pandya again bowled amazingly with 2/34. Karn Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah also managed to get a wicket each.

Mumbai Indians didn’t have a great start as the man in form Parthiv Patel was dismissed in the very first ball. Jos Buttler looked splendid as he scored 33 runs from 21 balls while Nitish Rana scored an almost run a ball 27.

Once both got out, it was Captain Rohit Sharma who took the onus of guiding the team home. While batsmen at the other end such as Kieron Pollard and Karn Sharma failed to get going and even finisher Krunal Pandya getting retired hurt, it was getting tough for the hosts.

Rohit Sharma with an amazing 51 runs from 35 balls took Mumbai Indians through on the penultimate ball. Hardik Pandya also supported him well from the other end. Mumbai Indians went on to win the game by 5 wickets and one ball to spare.

Here are some of the amazing Twitter reactions that took place during the course of the game.

Yo boys? @mipaltan ?of th table..let's keep th momentum guys ☑️ superb knock calm & composed @ImRo45. MI vs RCB

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 1, 2017

Class is permanent @ImRo45 #gun #pureclass

— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) May 1, 2017

It's been that sort of a tournament for #RCB where nothing has worked towards a win for them. #IPL #2017

— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) May 1, 2017

Mumbai Indians has always been a team that slows down a lot in middle overs. Hardik's knocks at the end are making a difference this season?

— Ojas. (@Ojasism) May 1, 2017

Rohit Sharma ko hamesha RCB k against hi kyo achha khelna hota hai? ?

— Sumedha (@DesiQuinzel) May 1, 2017

Poor last ball. The extra ball cost them big. RCB hanging by a thread.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 1, 2017

Pawan Negi continues a wonderful comeback. Happy to see he is leaving that unproductive phase behind. Was it the pressure of the price tag?

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 1, 2017

Sort of target this Mumbai middle order has been finishing for fun this #ipl….

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) May 1, 2017

Woh dekh Chris Gayle ko? pic.twitter.com/gBBIxZ0bmN

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) May 1, 2017

Exquisite From Rohit Sharma! The Shot Of The Match.. Pitched Up & That Transfer Of The Weight! ??? #MIvsRCB #IPL

— Sahil Sharma (@DeXterimental) May 1, 2017

Injuries are the reason why Krunal Pandya didn't come into limelight early on. Almost missed the previous two domestic seasons completely.

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) May 1, 2017

Pawan Negi is quietly having a very good season with both bat & ball. Guess he is paying penalty of being in RCB, popularity wise! #IPL

— Nishant Pandey (@_nishantp4) May 1, 2017

RCB scored 162 and made up for the game washed out against SRH. #ipl

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 1, 2017

RCB's total score so far in this IPL season: 1407 Runs..

Virat Kohli's total score in last IPL season: 973 Runs..

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 1, 2017

Parthiv Patel relies heavily on 4s for his runs in T20. Means he is fine in the powerplay overs, but really struggles when field goes back

— Ian DW (@sportdw) May 1, 2017

Jos Buttler is timing the ball beautifully.
If RCB doesnt get him soon, he will win this for MI single-handedly #IPL

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) May 1, 2017

"If Mumbai Indians need to be serious title contenders, Rohit Sharma should come to the party" – KP

— Clive (@vanillawallah) May 1, 2017

150 T20 wickets for Mitchell McClenaghan! #MIvRCB

— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) May 1, 2017

Delhi Daredevils is that startup whose laid off employees goes on to become leaders of rival companies #MIvRCB

— Shashi (@AllTimeBakchod) May 1, 2017

150 after a decade it seems , for RCB. Go RCB!#MIvRCB

— Jaanvi ? (@CricketDevotee) May 1, 2017

Pawan Negi smashing Lasith Malinga.

What a time to be alive. #IPL

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 1, 2017

Seems Krunal picks anyone who even looks like ABD. Doppelgänger duo, done and dusted.#MIvRCB

— Adlee Sharon (@adlee_sharon) May 1, 2017

ABD turning it on and the packed house cheering every stroke of his, every run. Big favourite wherever he plays in India

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 1, 2017

Its a match between poor peoples blessings (JIO) and poor peoples curse (SBI debt). #MIvRCB #IPL

— Bahubali Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) May 1, 2017

2 AB De Villiers batting at the moment. #MIvRCB

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) May 1, 2017

AB scores runs for fun at the Wankhede… #MIvRCB

— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) May 1, 2017

Kohli walks and we dance! #CricketMeriJaan #MIvRCB #MI pic.twitter.com/hTHjZOP8sb

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 1, 2017

Hindi commentary can give you cancer in the eyes, ears and heart. Kaise pakau log hai yaar, catch ko pizza se compare kia abhi #MIvRCB

— Gautam (@gautamverma23) May 1, 2017

Mandeep Singh in this IPL:

17, 8, 1, 0, 0, 28, 12, 24#MIvRCB

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 1, 2017

What an important game this is for RCB. Not regarding the points but for their team spirit.#IPL #MIvRCB

— HoldingWilley ? (@holdingwilley) May 1, 2017

Kohli may score a century.
AB DeVilliers may put some major thulping.
RCB may score 200+
This match may be super fun.
Happy Mayday.#MIvRCB

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) May 1, 2017