Twitter Reactions: Rishabh Pant massacres Rajasthan Royals in Delhi

The Delhi Daredevils lost a close game against the Chennai Super Kings a couple of nights ago. The defeat made the equation for them very simple in the season – win every game to stay alive in the competition. Their first ‘virtual semi-final’ of the season came against the Rajasthan Royals. They headed back to Delhi to host the Royals in the big game.

Coming in to the game, the Delhi Daredevils were not the only desperate side itching to get a win under their belt. The case of the Royals was no different. They were in a slightly different space than the double Ds, but in a precarious one nonetheless. With both sides desperate to win, the stage was set for a cracking contest at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

At the half way stage, the fans would believe that they do have a big game on cards. The hosts have managed to post a huge total and hence, only a special batting effort from the Royals can potentially save the game for them. Talking about the game, the Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first in the rain-curtailed affair. The match was reduced to 18-overs-a-side.

Delhi received a big blow early on with Colin Munro getting a golden duck. Shreyas Iyer (50) and Prithvi Shaw (47) then put on an exhibition of sensational batting to bring the ball in Delhi’s court. But the real impetus to the innings was given by Rishabh Pant. Pant hammered a quick 69 off just 29 deliveries with 7 fours and 5 sixes to his name.

He was absolutely phenomenal and continued his good hitting form in the match. In the process, he smashed his fastest IPL fifty in just 23 balls. Furthermore, he is now the holder of the Orange Cap as well. After Pant’s dismissal, Vijay Shankar chipped in with a quick 6-ball 17. The rain intervened again with Delhi Daredevils having a healthy scoreline of 196/6 in 17.1 overs.

Here is how the fans reacted to the Delhi Daredevils innings:

You see a little bit of Yuvi and a little bit of Raina in him. One of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball. Hits sixes for fun. Rishabh Pant. #DDvRR #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 2, 2018

Rishabh Pant's SR in IPL 2018:

Powerplay – 161.00 (66 runs)
Middle-ovs – 150.00 (159 runs)
Death ovs – 253.10 (81 runs)

Only batsman to have SR of 150+ in all 3 phases this IPL (min. 30 balls)#DDvRR

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 2, 2018

Rishabh Pant made 79 runs of 45 balls in the previous match.

He made 69 runs of 29 balls in today's match.

This is how you play when your competition has with MS Dhoni.#DDvRR

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) May 2, 2018

MS Dhoni ends his inning with a six.

Rishabh Pant starts his inning with a six.#DDvRR

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) May 2, 2018

Most 50s having an age less than 21 in IPL:

6 – Rishabh Pant*
5 – Rohit Sharma 
5 – Sanju Samson #DDvRR

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 2, 2018

Rishabh Pant is "Mike Tyson with a cricket bat"#DDvRR#IPL2018 #IPL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) May 2, 2018

Haters won't admit it but Dhoni himself admits that Rishabh Pant is a better wicketkeeper batsman than him

— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) May 2, 2018

Rishabh Pant is the closest India will get to Ab Devilliers

— m (@IceColdToto) May 2, 2018

Rishabh Pant is batting on 63* right now

Fun fact – it's 3 runs more than Akash Chopra's highest international score.#DDvRR

— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRai) May 2, 2018

Rishabh Pant another outstanding young Indian player … The #IPL is creating so opportunities for the Young Indian talent to flourish & be exposed to pressure environments ..

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 2, 2018

If he wasn't a cricketer, Rishabh Pant might have made for an excellent baseballer. #IPL2018 #DDvRR pic.twitter.com/git9U866j1

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) May 2, 2018

.@RishabPant777 is the current orange cap holder. #IPL2018 #DDvRR pic.twitter.com/JVowrT2d9n

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) May 2, 2018

That was a "please save me, I need to play the next game" review from Maxwell. #IPL

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) May 2, 2018

If no further batting for DD, then RR's target in 17 overs will be 201#DDvRR#IPL2018#IPL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) May 2, 2018

I hope @DelhiDaredevils and @rajasthanroyals don't begin their antakshari or stupid shayari during this rain break.

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) May 2, 2018

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