Twitter Reactions: Rajasthan Royals slump to 158 despite Buttler's heroics

The Rajasthan Royals locked horns with the Kings XI Punjab for the second time in two days. The stage was set at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium for the very vital clash for the hosts. A couple of nights ago, the Kings had beaten the Royals in the reverse fixtures. While the win put the Kings in a comfortable position in the points table, the condition for the Royals worsened.

Following the defeat, the Rajasthan Royals created a must-win situation for themselves in each and every remaining game of the season. As the things stand at the half way stage in the match, the Royals would know they could have done much better with the bat after batting first. At the toss, the RR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bat first.

The hosts brought in Ish Sodhi in the lineup and young Akshdeep Nath got a game too. On the other hand, the Kings played with the same eleven. The Royals did not get the start their needed and lost Ajinkya Rahane cheaply on 9. They promoted K Gowtham at number three as the pinch hitter but the move failed as well as Marcus Stoinis dismissed him on 8. While Rahane and Gowtham failed to deliver, Jos Buttler singlehandedly rallied the innings.

He took the attack to the opposition in the powerplay and went on to score his third consecutive fifty of the season. He found some support from Sanju Samson who scored a decent 18-ball 22. Jos Buttler felt some pressure towards the fag end and decided to take on Rahman. However, he was stumped on 82 by KL Rahul. Buttler’s knock came off 58 deliveries with 9 fours and a six to his name.

The Royals failed to get the finish they needed. The likes of Ben Stokes, Stuart Binny, and Jofra Archer failed too hit big in the final overs. The innings ended with 158/8 in 20 overs. Andrew Tye finished with figures of 4/34 in his quota of four overs.

Here is how the fans reacted to the Rajasthan Royals innings:

Can't imagine Hardik Pandya has had a better IPL compared to Stokes. How times change.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 8, 2018

BACK TO BACK GOLDEN DUCKS FOR JOFRA ARCHER!

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) May 8, 2018

Inse accha RCB khel leti #RRvKXIP

— Rishabh Srivastava (@AskRishabh) May 8, 2018

For Firangi commentators IPL is a platform to practice tongue twisters by pronouncing desi names. #IPL

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 8, 2018

Think Rajasthan Royals have erred by sending Lomror ahead of Archer #RRvKXIP #IPL2018

— Arun Venugopal (@scarletrun) May 8, 2018

Will be interesting to see who wins the Jofra-Gayle contest today. It was Jofra Archer, who won Indore. #RRvKXIP

— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) May 8, 2018

Buttler in powerplay—205 SR
Buttler outside powerplay—103 SR #RRvKXIP #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 8, 2018

Would you have believed it if you were told 3 years ago that two of the biggest bowling stars of the #IPL would be from Afghanistan! #RashidKhan #MujeeburRahman

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 8, 2018

Finally our HERO @StuartBinny84 selected in playing XI. 99% chances now Rajasthan Royals will win this game. Thank you sir @ShaneWarne #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/P4AN62IRnJ

— Mayanti Langer (@Langer_Mayanti) May 8, 2018

Innings Break!

After opting to bat first, the @rajasthanroyals post a total of 158/8 in 20 overs.#RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/uVEbg1IIB7

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 8, 2018

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