Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper, KL Rahul smashed a flat six over midwicket off Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fast bowler, Tim Southee to bring up his first fifty of the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Rahul, who has toppled Shikhar Dhawan to become the new Orange Cap holder, stitched an important 70-run partnership with Mayank Agarwal.
KL Rahul won the toss and opted to bowl first. Chris Gayle has left the IPL 2021 and he is replaced by Fabian Allen in the squad while Mandeep Singh and Harpreet Brar have made way for Mayank Agarwal and Shahrukh Khan. KKR left Lockie Ferguson and Sandeep Warrier and brought in Tim Seifert and Shivam Mavi. Shubhman Gill got out cheaply but Venkatesh Iyer was looking in good touch.
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Iyer found a good ally in Rahul Tripathi as the pair added 72 runs for the second wicket. Venkatesh notched up his second fifty in the second leg of the IPL 2021. Tripathi and Venkatesh got out in quick succession. Nitish Rana, then, played a handy cameo of 32 runs in 18 balls where he hit two fours and as many sixes. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami bowled beautifully at the death overs and restricted KKR to 165/7 in 20 overs.
PKBS’s hunt of 166 got off to a flying start thanks to Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul. Both openers added 70 runs for the first wicket before Agarwal got out after scoring 40 runs. Nicholas Pooran came, smashed a six, and got out in no time. Aiden Markram walked out to bat at number four. He was struggling to middle the ball and got out after scoring just 18 runs. Meanwhile, KL had notched up yet another fifty in the IPL 2021 and regained the orange cap.
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A flurry of wickets towards the end brought the nightmares of previously failed run-chases of PKBS. Shahrukh Khan played a handy cameo of 22 runs in 9 balls where he hit one four and two sixes as PKBS won the game by five wickets with three balls to spare.
Here is the video of the six:
— Sardar Khan (@SardarK07004661) October 1, 2021
Here is how the fans reacted to the achievement:
KL Rahul brings up his half-century with a SIX 😍
— avniii (@kafibohemian) October 1, 2021
A crackling six to bring up the fifty! 💥🤩
KL Rahul, keep going! 💪@mrcricketuae@saddapunjab @realpreityzinta @GulfNewsSport @gulf_news #IPL2021 #IPLinUAE #PBKS #CricketLive #PBKSvsKKR
— Arif vasaya (@ArifVasaya) October 1, 2021
Captain innings from @klrahul11 , 50 with that Six 😎
— YATHI®️ (@ursyathi) October 1, 2021
Wait, how did that go for a SIX? Superb knock by KL Rahul. 👏#KKRvPBKS
— Aditya Saha (@adityakumar4800) October 1, 2021
What a well deserved 50* #KLRahul and at such a crucial point!
I think #PBKS’s winning this one ❤️👏#PBKSvsKKR pic.twitter.com/drg29CyLOo— 𝒮𝒾𝒹𝒽𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒽 𝒜𝓇𝓂𝓎 (@magicaldiarie) October 1, 2021
Another 50 by KL Rahul what a player he is!!! 🔥🔥🔥 #IPL2021 #PBKS
— James Sibley 🌵 (@JamesSibley87) October 1, 2021
50 for KL rahul🔥🔥#PBKS should back them to win, till he is there
— Arnav Verma (@cricketArnav) October 1, 2021
50* ❤🦁 @klrahul11 pic.twitter.com/91q5NclUHV
— KLRAHUL TRENDS™ (@KLRahulTrends_) October 1, 2021
