Twitter Reactions: Ngidi's four-fer derails KXIP, Nair plays saving grace for Kings

When the Kings XI Punjab arrived in Pune for their final league game of IPL 2018, they knew they had their task cut out. They have to win the match and by a significant margin to pip Rajasthan Royals from the top four of the points table. The Kings are up against the Chennai Super Kings in the marquee clash in Pune. After the toss was done, the Kings were asked to bat first.

The equation stands sorted that the Kings XI Punjab have to win the match by a margin of 53 runs or more to qualify for the playoffs. However, by the look of things at the half way stage, the task seems improbable considering the fact that the Chennai Super Kings have an in-form and arguably the best batting lineup. In the first innings, the visitors lost the wicket of Chris Gayle on a duck in the second over with Lungi Ngidi getting the big wicket.

Soon, Deepak Chahar struck for the Super Kings as he dismissed Aaron Finch on 4 in the third over. In the very next over, Ngidi struck again and got the big wicket of in-form batter KL Rahul on 7. Manoj Tiwary and David Miller had a very tough task on their hands. The two batsmen had made a handful of appearances for the Kings XI Punjab in the tournament thus far. And hence, things looked on shaky grounds for them.

The two veteran stars still managed to show some resilience with the bat and added 60 runs for the fourth wicket to stabilize the innings to some extent. While Miller scored 24 off 22 balls, Tiwary hit 35 off 30 deliveries. Both batsmen were sent packing in quick succession that dented the KXIP innings even more.

The innings was in dire straits and was not going anywhere. However, Karun Nair came up with a much needed cameo to help the Kings get back in the game. Nair scored 54 off just 26 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes amidst the ruins to take the KXIP total to 153 in 19.4 overs. For the Super Kings, Ngidi returned with phenomenal numbers of 4-1-10-4.

Here is how the cricket world reacted to the Kings XI Punjab innings:

Has the party already started in Jaipur??? 😊🙌 #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 20, 2018

On a tough surface @DavidMillerSA12 has come in and showed positive intent, good game plan to moving ball, and the ability to put bad balls away.

Why wait till the last game to play him?

(I don’t care if he gets out now, he’s good enough to have played more.)

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 20, 2018

Also, Lungi you beauty. 👊🏼

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 20, 2018

Karun Nair's unorthodox shots dragged KXIP's score above 150. #ipl pic.twitter.com/uSpt3YPwNk

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) May 20, 2018

KXIP 153 All out.. Ngidi 4-1-10-4

KXIP will qualify if CSK get All out for 99 or less 😋

— Abhijeet (@TheYorkerBall) May 20, 2018

Most dismissals by wicket-keepers in T20 cricket:

216 – MS DHONI*
215 – Kamran Akmal
202 – Kumar Sangakkara #CSKvKXIP

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 20, 2018

Innings Break!

Fine bowling performance by @ChennaiIPL and #KXIP are bundled out for a total of 153 in 19.3 overs.

Chase coming up in a bit. Stay tuned #CSKvKXIP pic.twitter.com/OvWV3CFY9r

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 20, 2018

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