Twitter Reactions: Royals post 160 despite Nitish Rana's twin strike

The Rajasthan Royals have proven to be one of the most improved sides in the IPL this season. They had lost their first game of the season by a crushing margin of 9 wickets against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Many believed that they had missed the trick with their team selections this season. But the Men in Blue managed to get things right back on track with two consecutive wins in their next to games.

Riding high on confidence, they were all set to host the Kolkata Knight Riders in their fourth game of the season. The stage was all set at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium for the match that promised to be a battle of equals. While Rajasthan Royals entered the contest with the winning momentum, the visitors also came in on a high note with a win in their previous game in the season.

At the toss, it was the visiting skipper Dinesh Karthik who won the toss and opted to field first. Both teams went ahead with unchanged sides. The Royals openers – D Arcy Short and Ajinkya Rahane – had a decent start in the game. Short’s struggle on the Indian wickets continued in the game but it was Rahane who kept the innings going. The two batsmen added 54 runs for the first wicket in 41 deliveries.

The KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik used his wildcard, Nitish Rana, yet again. Earlier, in the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, it was Rana’s double strike that had worked wonders for his side. And yet again, Rana struck twice, accounting for the dismissals of both the Royals openers. Rahane perished after scoring a quick 19-ball 36.

On the other hand, Short struggled for 43 deliveries to score 44 on the day. Barring the RR openers, no other batsmen showed resilience at the crease. The KKR bowlers also found ways to strike regularly in the innings. The KKR bowlers, Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav, in particular, bowled economical spells to keep the run flow in check as well. Some late runs from Jos Buttler (24*) helped the Royals reach a decent total of 160/8 in their stipulated 20 overs.

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

Darcy reading spin off the pitch. Can’t see a huge change in his fortunes this IPL. A lot of spin will be bowled at him. Gotta make way for Klassen in the next game. #RRvKKR #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 18, 2018

Short’s mid season transfer should be to Aussies Test Cricket team. #RRvKKR

— Monica (@monicas004) April 18, 2018

#RRvKKR When someone says Darcy Short is a better hitter then Gayle pic.twitter.com/gGsLeEAljf

— Sudip Lodh (@lodh979) April 18, 2018

That's the end of a selfish innings from Darcy Short #RRvKKR #IPL

— Ravi Mishra Shastri (@Shastri091) April 18, 2018

Stupendous innings from Darcy Short with a superlative strike rate! Made even Mohd Shamis batting look eye candy. #KKRvRR

— BitterSweetSymphony? (@PluviophilePoet) April 18, 2018

Ab de Villiers ✔
Virat Kohli ✔
Ajinkya Rahane ✔
Darcy Short ✔

Nitish Rana you beauty ?? #NitishRana #RRvKKR

— Come On CSK ? (@madam_jadeja) April 18, 2018

Darcy Short is a bigger fraud than Baba Ram Rahim Singh Insan. #RRvKKR

— Rajat Arora (@EdinAzzaa) April 18, 2018

Darcy Short after getting dismissed #RRvsKKR pic.twitter.com/jIYj0qWms6

— Cricket Bakchod (@Cric_bakchod) April 18, 2018

Darcy Short reminds me of @CameronWhite152 – also came to the @IPL with so much hype! struggle in indian conditions and against slower bowlers.. #IPL #RRvsKKR

— Sharan Godya (@sharangodya) April 18, 2018

Yet again what a selfish waste of an innings from Darcy Short.

— callum kenny (@callumkenny) April 18, 2018

Darcy Short is out of Yuvraj's territory and landed in Rahane's

— Prakash (@Prakash1049) April 18, 2018

Darcy Short needs to learn that it isn't an ODI but a T20.

#RRvKKR

— MK ?? (@JustEmkay) April 18, 2018

Darcy Short wants to send a message to CA that he is good for Ashes. #TestCricketGoingOn #RRvKKR

— Pavan (@I_Know_U_Mahn) April 18, 2018

It seems #DarcyShort is playing in a power saver mode ?? #RRvKKR

— Aneesh Kumar (@letmeAneesh) April 18, 2018

Top Scorers:
SHORT – 44
RAHANE – 36
BUTTLER – 24

Whose knock did you enjoy the most?#HallaBol #JazbaJeetKa #VIVOIPL #RRvKKR

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 18, 2018

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