Twitter Reacts After Rajasthan Royals Hunt Down Kings XI Punjab's 185 With Disdain

A brutal assault by Ben Stokes, poetic violence by Sanju Samson, and 360-degree strokeplay by skipper Steve Smith has helped Rajasthan Royals [RR] trump Chris Gayle’s magnificent 99 and break Kings XI Punjab’s [KXIP] five-match winning streak on Friday.

Chasing 186, Rajasthan Royals got off to a smashing start thanks to a certain Benjamin Stokes, who looked as if he had picked up from where he had left against Mumbai Indians.

Stokes teed from right from the very outset, carting the KXIP bowling attack- pace or spin- to all corners of the ground in the powerplay.

Whether it was the spin of Murugan Ashwin or the pace of Shami or Jordan, Stoked was bloody ruthless in his strokeplay as he teed his way to 24-ball 50. The party finally ended for Stokes after he smashed Jordan straight to mid-off in the 6th over, giving KXIP a much-needed reprieve.

Like Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson also picked up from where he had left in the last game. The right-hander raced his way to a 12-ball 21 with the help of two fours and a six as RR rampaged their way to 1-91 in 9 overs.

Samson displayed his typical flamboyance as did Robin Uthappa, who took the score past 100 with an audacious slog-sweep in the 11th over before eventually falling on the next delivery while trying to do an encore against Murugan Ashwin.

But Samson [48 off 25 balls] continued to inflict more pain on KXIP bowlers. The stylish batsman stroked Ashwin for a four and a six in the 13th over to reduce the equation to 54 off 42 balls. Samson was looking absolutely unstoppable and ultimately, it took a special fielding effort from Suchith, who threw a direct-hit from point, leaving the batsman short of the crease.

With 40 needed off the last 30 balls, KXIP needed their pace duo of Shami and Jordan to come up with game-changing performance. Jordan bowled five brilliant deliveries in the 16th over before he pitched one right in the slot for Jos Buttler to heave it over wide long-on. Steve Smith [31 not-out off 20 balls] followed it up with an audacious lofted extra-cover drive and a nonchalant flick for consecutive boundaries on the first two deliveries of the next over by Mohammed Shami before following it with a scoop over short fine-leg for another boundary. The pain didn’t end for Shami as Buttler pulled him for the 4th boundary of the over to effectively kill the run-chase.

Chris Gayle’s record-breaking 99 helped KXIP post 4-185 in 20 overs

Earlier, Jofra Archer once again gave a brilliant start to Rajasthan Royals. The tearaway fast bowler struck on the sixth ball of his first over courtesy a rip-snorter of delivery to Mandeep Singh, who could only awkwardly fend at it, only to see Ben Stokes complete a brilliant diving catch at short-point.

Chris Gayle smoked Varun Aaron for a six in the 4th over. Aaron very nearly got the ‘Universe Boss’ in the same over after the latter mistimed the pull straight in the air, only for Riyan Parag to shell it. KL Rahul, on the other hand, stroked a sumptuous boundary to become the first player to stroke 600+ runs this season.

The reprieve that Gayle got proved to be costly for Kartik Tyagi in particular as the southpaw smashed him for a couple of boundaries and a six in the 5th over. KL Rahul smoked Varun Aaron for a monstrous six over square-leg, one that would have been a six on any ground in the world. Rahul then flicked Aaron for a boundary to ensure that KXIP made full use of the powerplay, finishing it with the score reading: 1-53.

Gayle continued to tee off after the batting powerplay, smashing the likes of Shreyas Gopal, Beh Stokes for a six and a four in the next two overs to race his way to a 24-ball 41. Rahul continued to showcase his class with an audacious inside-out stroke against Kartik Tyagi for a six as KXIP reached 1-81 in 10 overs.

Gayle stroked his second consecutive 50 of the season with a six thanks to a slog-sweep off Tewatia before getting yet another reprieve after Tewatia made a mess of a skier only for the ball to fall in no man’s land. While Chris Gayle was teeing off at one end, KL Rahul was slightly circumspect in his approach, especially against Rahul Tewatia.

It, however, did not affect the ‘Universe Boss’ as he continued to smash sixes. KL Rahul eventually fell to Ben Stokes for a 41-ball 46 in the 15th over. Nicholas Pooran joined the crease and he and Gayle then proceeded to just hammer the RR bowlers to all corners of the ground.

Pooran teed into Varun Aaron and Kartik Tyagi for three sixes in his first nine balls before he finally holed out in the deep courtesy of a brilliant catch by Tewatia.

Chris Gayle, however, continued with his merry way as he smashed a flat-batted six off Kartik Tyagi to become the first batsman in the history of T20 cricket to smoke 1000 sixes. He followed that up with another in the last over before Jofra Archer cleaned him, leaving him stranded on 99.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the Rajasthan Royals’ victory over Kings XI Punjab:

Points table wil be in a tizzy after this game. Still so close after a second magnificent chase by @<!---->r<!---->a<!---->j<!---->a<!---->s<!---->t<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->r<!---->o<!---->y<!---->a<!---->l<!---->s

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

In walks Jos Buttler, who has been #<!---->R<!---->R‘s best batsman this year according to total Impact.

1. Buttler: +49.0
2. T Curran: +35.1
3. Archer: +16.2
4. Stokes: +10.5#<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 #<!---->R<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

It was Suchith who turned the game against #<!---->S<!---->R<!---->H, aaj vi? ?#<!---->S<!---->a<!---->d<!---->d<!---->a<!---->P<!---->u<!---->n<!---->j<!---->a<!---->b #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->R<!---->R

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

T20 ka Bradman- Chris Gayls. Without a doubt the greatest that there has ever been @<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->r<!---->y<!---->g<!---->a<!---->y<!---->l<!---->e . Entertainment ka baap. #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->R<!---->R

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Sanju Samson in this IPL :

??__________________??

— tony allen (@joeys_chandler) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Rajasthan need to see the best of T20 Smith here. Running hard, rotating strike, letting Samson go – RRR at 8rpo is more than manageable, but he needs to take it through to the death. KXIP will want Buttler in asap while the leggies have overs. #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 #<!---->R<!---->R<!---->v<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Nelson takes one more…. 111/2! #<!---->P<!---->r<!---->o<!---->G<!---->y<!---->a<!---->a<!---->n #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->s<!---->R<!---->R

— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Rajasthan are doing it almost nonchalantly. Superb in fact #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->s<!---->R<!---->R #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

24 ball fifty for Ben Stokes – he scored hundred in last match – this fifty was inside powerplay. The beast.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Stokes opening, Buttler in the middle… #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 has given Eoin Morgan a wonderful plan for next couple years. #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->R<!---->R

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

today @<!---->C<!---->J<!---->o<!---->r<!---->d<!---->a<!---->n has to be the difference with the ball for @<!---->l<!---->i<!---->o<!---->n<!---->s<!---->d<!---->e<!---->n<!---->k<!---->x<!---->i<!---->p and I’m backing him as usual #<!---->i<!---->p<!---->l

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

And with that six, Ben Stokes brings up his fastest ever T20 fifty (24 deliveries).

It beats his previous fastest off 25 balls against Northamptonshire in the T20 Blast in 2013.#<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 #<!---->R<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Chris Gayle 99 off 63. Gets a great ball from Jofra Archer. Hats off to Gayle. At 41, he has shown his CLASS. Deserved a ton for sure

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Most runs in a T20 career:

Chris Gayle – 13,572
Kieron Pollard – 10,425
Chris Gayle (boundaries only) – 10,170
Shoaib Malik – 10,145
Brendon McCullum – 9,922

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Universe’s Boss = God of T20! 1000 sixes says it all ?! Don’t ever see this record broken! Brilliant batting by @<!---->l<!---->i<!---->o<!---->n<!---->s<!---->d<!---->e<!---->n<!---->k<!---->x<!---->i<!---->p and @<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->r<!---->y<!---->g<!---->a<!---->y<!---->l<!---->e #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->R<!---->R #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

IPL Records:

Most 100s: Chris Gayle

Most 99: Chris Gayle

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

WORLD RECORD! Chris Gayle has become the first player to hit 1000 sixes in T20 cricket. Amazing batsman.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Chris Gayle ? ?

— Shai Hope (@shaidhope) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Chris Gayle – “In my mind this innings is a hundred”. What a guy.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

KXIP’s batsmen in #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Pooran – 25 sixes
Gayle – 23 sixes
Rahul – 22 sixes

Maxwell – 0 sixes#<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->R<!---->R #<!---->R<!---->R<!---->v<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Most sixes in #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0:

N Pooran: 25 sixes (13 innings)
C GAYLE: 23 sixes (6 innings)
S Samson: 23 sixes (12 innings)#<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->R<!---->R p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->2<!---->C<!---->L<!---->j<!---->1<!---->4<!---->K<!---->v<!---->W<!---->w

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Rahul Tewatia. It felt like a six the moment it left the bat….superb presence of mind and temperament. Pooran has played an important cameo. 22 off 10 balls. #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->R<!---->R #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Been so many Caribbean super stars at the IPL. This is the first year where Pooran is showing the world he is the next name on the list. So, so good.

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

pooran and gayle to finish this innings might be the best way to head into the weekend #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->R<!---->R #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Gayle survives. AGAIN. ☹️#<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->R<!---->R | #<!---->H<!---->a<!---->l<!---->l<!---->a<!---->B<!---->o<!---->l | #<!---->R<!---->o<!---->y<!---->a<!---->l<!---->s<!---->F<!---->a<!---->m<!---->i<!---->l<!---->y | #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->F<!---->W<!---->G<!---->A<!---->I<!---->z<!---->H<!---->U<!---->y<!---->V

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Gayle Storm. Yesterday…today….tomorrow. 24×7…365 days a year.
Entertainment Guaranteed. ?? #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

As a leg-spin bowler, a possible strategy to counter Gayle would be to bowl a higher percentage of googlies.

The numbers would suggest otherwise:

v Leg-spin: 10.31 rpo
v Googlies: 14.78 rpo#<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 #<!---->R<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Chris Gayle v Ben Stokes in T20s:

21 balls
47 runs
1 wicket

Run Rate: 13.42#<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 #<!---->R<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

The intent shown by @<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->r<!---->y<!---->g<!---->a<!---->y<!---->l<!---->e should be a lesson for any youngster aspiring to play the game. He is a real legend who was hurting and it is showing. We often forget he has 2 test triple tons. A true star of our sport. @<!---->l<!---->i<!---->o<!---->n<!---->s<!---->d<!---->e<!---->n<!---->k<!---->x<!---->i<!---->p

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

#<!---->R<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P disappointing powerplay bowling apart from Archer. No idea whats happened to the local quicks from @<!---->r<!---->a<!---->j<!---->a<!---->s<!---->t<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->r<!---->o<!---->y<!---->a<!---->l<!---->s and their development #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 definitely needs changing

— Ian Pont (@Ponty100mph) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Only two Indian batsmen have scored 600+ runs in two #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L seasons.
Run Machine Kohli
Kamaal Lajawaab Rahul ?? #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Do or die match & dropping Gayle is such a big let off. Gayle has attacked Tyagi in his first over.

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Any one in the world has better catching hands than Stokes? Close to the bat… far from the bat. Just incredible! ?#<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P<!---->v<!---->s<!---->R<!---->R

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Across the history of the IPL, only Lasith Malinga has a better strike rate in the first over of the match than Jofra Archer (min. 6 overs bowled).

Malinga: 12.0
Archer: 13.5
A Morkel: 14.0
M Sharma: 14.0
B Kumar: 14.0
U Yadav: 14.0#<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 #<!---->R<!---->R<!---->v<!---->s<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Archer has found its ?
Mayank’s prolonged absence is hurting #<!---->K<!---->X<!---->I<!---->P
Contest to watch—Gayle v Jofra. Even Arron to Gayle. Bouncers galore in the first 10 balls that the big man faces. #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Jofra Archer completed 150 dot balls in #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0 from 48.2 overs – he is the first bowler to complete this milestone. What a bowler.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0

Jofra Archer. He is on the money from Over 1. How do you play that kind of a delivery? That kicking bounce.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) O<!---->c<!---->t<!---->o<!---->b<!---->e<!---->r<!----> <!---->3<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->0