The knockout phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) initiated on a Super Saturday (May 19) where Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) met each other in a Royal Derby, in order to cement their place in the playoffs of the ongoing eleventh Twenty20 edition.
Everything had to be on the line for both the teams before Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and decided to bowl first. The reverse fixture was won by the men in blue at Bangalore.
Therefore, Kohli’s men had their task cut out to defeat Royals in their Pink City and also knock them out of the tournament.
Rahane, to everyone’s surprise, decided to give Jofra Archer a go at the opening slot, modelling Gambhir’s promotion of Narine last year.
The move failed almost immediately as Archer went back to the dugout without opening his account.
After the early wicket, Rahul Tripathi and Ajinkya Rahane set up Royals score with their 99-run partnership for the second-wicket.
Rahul Tripathi played the anchor role with his 80 off 58 balls, containing five fours and three sixes.
Rajasthan’s proceeding was brought to a halt with Umesh Yadav’s double strike in the fourteenth over.
Quick Read: AB de Villiers Comes Up With an Epic Reply to Virat Kohli’s ‘Spiderman’ Remark
Yadav knocked over Rahane and Samson off successive deliveries. Just when the likes of Tim Southee and Mohammed Siraj were beginning to choke the hosts, Heinrich Klaasen and Krishnappa Gowtham provided the finishing flurry to bolster their total to 164 in 20 allotted overs.
Here’s how Twitter Reacted after Rajasthan Royals post a competitive total:
Me on every RCB match day : #RRvRCB #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/fsDh8ofoZn
— Prajakta Bhawsar (@18prajakta) May 19, 2018
Utterly ‘Buttlerly’ Delicious !@josbuttler #Hallabol #RRvRCB #Cricket #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/IReHKO9VJF
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) May 18, 2018
Rahane is just not good enough for this format. He doesn't have the game to do well. Puts lot of pressure on his teammates with his inability to score runs outside of powerplay.
Pity commentators can't tell it openly and instead have to tell how classy he is..#RRvRCB #VIVOIPL— Abhishek Barthur (@imabhi27) May 19, 2018
Waiting for Chahal vs Klassen!
Will it be a revenge or repeat of SA series? 😂#RRvRCB— Shreyas Srinivasan (@ShreyasS_) May 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/imkb6/status/997806309004201984
https://twitter.com/summiprasad/status/997798374010109952
Smart captaincy from Kohli. Didn't take the DRS against Rahane.
They understand the importance of him continuing out there in the middle.#RRvRCB— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) May 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/k_nitzz23/status/997798626385678337
Rahane on phone with Ashwin last night for tactics?#OpenerArcher #IPL2018 #RRvRCB
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) May 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/ChappuDroga/status/997795670114422784
Lol! RR want to do to RCB with Jofra what Narine does to them with the bat#RRvRCB
— Abhay (@ImAbhay3) May 19, 2018
AB and Kohli are Dil and Dhadkan of #RCB and if #RR were to entertain the thoughts of qualifying, they’ll need a #Gameplan to stop them. Watch @StarSportsIndia to find out what they are likely to do…it’s interesting, I promise. #FundaSahiHai @MFSahiHai #RRvRCB #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 19, 2018
It’s not easy to play the role of @SunilPNarine74..He is unique!! Jofra Archer 😊😊 #RRvRCB #IPL
— Tanwir hassan (@imveer36) May 19, 2018
Rahane again making sure RR doesn't qualify for the playoffs. #RRvRCB #RR
— Chirag Khandelwal (@NutJob096) May 19, 2018
#IPL11 #RRvRCB – Good time to subscribe to hotstar today…u get the first week free and this would cover the final knockout phase of IPL
— The Vincible (@TheVincible) May 19, 2018
Pony tail Yadav is here. Get ready for a couple of wickets in the next over.#RRvRCB
— Jaanvi 🏏 (@ThatCricketBuff) May 19, 2018
#RRvRCB Umesh again took 2 or more wickets in an over.
— akram (@akrambharatt) May 19, 2018
2 wickets in 2 balls . Searching for the guy who spoiled our Umesh Yadav 😒😤 #RRvRcB #VIVOIPL #IPL2018
— Arth Daware (@Iam_Arth36) May 19, 2018
#RRvRCB When Umesh is on a roll more often than not he picks cluster of wickets.
— roshimon (@roshimon1) May 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/tomnjerrytwo/status/997803509339828224
There is no beautiful sight than an indian pacer getting it right. Umesh yadav's consistency is commendable this season. #CBhaveyoursay #RRvRCB
— Vijit Mahaur (@Vijit_Mahaur) May 19, 2018
The 'test' is over and let's move over to 'T20' .. #FloorTest #IPL2018 #RRvRCB
— 😈DM😈 (@iamdivyesh) May 19, 2018