Twitter Reactions: RCB’s Moeen Ali gets run out off a free-hit against SRH

Moeen Ali was an integral part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, in 2020, he has strained to find his feet. Having played only a handful of matches, he has been in and out of the team. Neither has he delivered with the bat nor has he performed with the ball. It’s uncharacteristic of him since he has loads of potential.

He had a job to do in the Eliminator against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday, November 6, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), he had ample time to bat as 58 balls were remaining in the innings. The Red Army had lost Aaron Finch, who scored 32 off 30 balls with three fours and one six, with the score at 56/3.

He had the very experienced AB de Villiers for company. Though ABD wasn’t going at the rate of knots, he was squeezing out the singles to at least keep the scoreboard ticking. In the 11th over, Shahbaz Nadeem accounted for Finch’s wicket and Ali came in to bat. In the fourth ball of the over, De Villiers patted one to deep mid-wicket for a single and it also happened to be a no-ball.

Moeen Ali suffers a brain explosion

Moeen couldn’t have expected for a luckier start as he was about to take strike in the free hit. However, fate had something gruesome in store for him. Nadeem fired one in the block-hole and all Moeen could do was dig it out. It was then that something unusual happened. Ali went for the risk of taking a sharp single. However, he had to deal with Rashid Khan, one of the best in the business.

Rashid was patrolling the extra-cover region and he aimed at the bowler’s end with perfection. He threw the stumps down and Moeen ended up getting run-out off a free hit. It’s the only possible form of dismissal off a free-hit. Virat Kohli, the RCB skipper, from the dug-out wasn’t happy by any stretch of the imagination. Even the users on Twitter had their say on Moeen’s dismissal.

Here’s how the netizens reacted:

NO WAY 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

— Tino95 (@tinobest) November 6, 2020

🤯😍🤩🥳😎

All sorts of emotions after Rashid's direct hit! 🧡

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) November 6, 2020

I don’t understand why #RCB take players like Moeen Ali who try to take single out of free hit and get run out in the process (only way to get out for a free hit). Bad captaincy and ineffective selection process. Lucky for #SRh #RCBvSRH

— idlebrain jeevi (@idlebrainjeevi) November 6, 2020

Moeen Ali gets out on a free-hit. Remember Robin Peterson getting out run out on a free hit in India's first ever T20 international at Johannesburg in 2006

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 6, 2020

as if it isn't hard enough to tackle rashid's four overs #RCBvSRH #IPL2020

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) November 6, 2020

That was a tactical no ball.#Nadeem

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) November 6, 2020

🚨Key Race Alert 🚨

Moeen Ali has managed to get dismissed off a free hit.#IPL2020

— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) November 6, 2020

What a throw 🎯

Moeen Ali is dismissed off a free-hit!#IPL2020 #RCBvSRH pic.twitter.com/3F8GHnFuS1

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) November 6, 2020

Fans: RCB should show intent in MO
RCB: Ok
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*gets run out on a free hit* #RCBvSRH

— Manya (@CSKian716) November 6, 2020

To give away a wicket from a first ball free-hit has to be cruellest turn of fate for RCB. Moment of absolute madness from Moeen Ali.
And what a throw from Rashid Khan!

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) November 6, 2020

*as soon as rcb enters playoffs*

virat kohli: pic.twitter.com/4dJfYJlj3m

— ex capt. (@thephukdi) November 6, 2020

Golden Duck off a Free Hit. Only RCB could have done this in playoffs. Respect.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) November 6, 2020

#SRH look such an inspired team. That throw from Rashid Khan to run out Moeen Khan…Wow!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 6, 2020

OMG!! #IPL2020 #RCBvSRH

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) November 6, 2020

On Free hit you can get RUNOUT… #RCBvSRH

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 6, 2020

A free hit and a run-out!#SRH ecstatic and how. #RCB 68/4 #Dream11IPL #Eliminator pic.twitter.com/APDWEP2WzW

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 6, 2020

Is it a 🕊️?
Is it a ✈️?

Nope, it's a magician! 🎩 https://t.co/5dCRUocfYF

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) November 6, 2020

Moeen Ali is the first batsman in the history of the IPL to be run out on the first delivery he faced of a free hit.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 6, 2020