During the 48th match of the 11th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Indore, Royal Challengers Bangalore bundled out Kings XI Punjab on 88 in 15.1 overs in an innings which saw the hosts struggling big time.
Earlier Virat Kohli, captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore, had won the toss and chose to field. Bangalore fielded an unchanged playing eleven. On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab made two changes to their playing eleven, bringing in Marcus Stoinis and Ankit Rajpoot in place of Barinder Sran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Lokesh Rahul (21) and Chris Gayle (18), Kings XI’s openers, started on a watchful note, scoring 14 runs in the first three overs. Gayle broke the shackles in the fourth over when he hit three boundaries off Tim Southee’s second over. In the next over, Umesh Yadav dismissed both the openers, giving Kings XI a shock which they never recovered form.
Karun Nair (1) and Marcus Stoinis (2) walking back to the pavilion in the next two respective overs didn’t help Punjab either. From this point in time, building a partnership was the need of the hour for them but it was exactly what Punjab lacked.
Mayhem struck them to the extent that three batsmen ended up being run-out and the others fell victim to some ordinary shots. With bowling figures of 4-0-23-3, Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors. Watch how Twitterati reacted on Punjab’s innings:
Looking at the way they have been batting, what was the harm in playing @YUVSTRONG12 ? Punjab has become just a 2-batsmen team now #KXIPvRCB
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) May 14, 2018
Kings having serious jitters….They say that crossing the finish line is toughest in sport. #KXIPvRCB #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 14, 2018
Dear #RCB, you’re like the girl who breaks up with you on New Years but gives you a missed call on Valentines Day. #keepinghopealive #stillloveyou #thishurts @RCBTweets #KXIPvRCB
— Nikhil Chinapa (@nikhilchinapa) May 14, 2018
Same to Same……!#KXIPvRCB pic.twitter.com/xxKFnAc9dY
— PhD in Bakchodi (@Atheist_Krishna) May 14, 2018
#KXIPvRCB why do I get feeling all of this is happening to ensure Mumbai Indians qualify for play off.
— Rohit D Sharma (@rdharamsharma) May 14, 2018
After Watching #RCB bowling #KXIPvRCB pic.twitter.com/XfaYbOq51n
— Rishabh Srivastava (@AskRishabh) May 14, 2018
Ravichandran Ashwin's post match interview will be lit af. I wish I could interview him tonight. 😂 #KXIPvRCB
— Abhishek (@Sajjanlaunda) May 14, 2018
I'm not watching the game. Don't tell me that this is the pitch where KKR scored 245 last game. Did RCB really bowl well or its just KXIP bieng unpredictable here? #KXIPvRCB
— SANATH 🏏 (@Dude_Cricket) May 14, 2018
What a fiery spell of fast bowling by Umesh🔥🔥🔥 In a batsman favouring format, these are a delight to watch #KXIPvRCB
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) May 14, 2018
Brilliant captaincy from Kohli. Was so easy to hold Umesh back after his first couple of overs. He didn't. Gave him an extra over and Umesh removed both danger men. #KXIPvRCB
— Abhishek (@Sajjanlaunda) May 14, 2018
That catch by Virat Kohli made me scream so loud. What a beauty, that was. #KXIPvRCB
— Jaanvi 🏏 (@ThatCricketBuff) May 14, 2018
Remember when things were just going fine for KXIP and then they decided to experiment with their batting order against Rajasthan Royals for no reason…. been all downhill since then. #IPL2018 #KXIPvRCB
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) May 14, 2018
Did any exit poll predict this late #RCB surge? 🤔 #KXIPvRCB
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) May 14, 2018
KXIP making sure they don't qualify for playoffs. #KXIPvRCB
— ✌ YUVRAJOHOLIC ✌ (@Varuni_Y) May 14, 2018
Now, none of us need to know the reason behind KXIP's success till now. It is KL Rahul and Chris Gayle (till some extent). Nothing beyond them. Not even Karun Nair, he has let this team down in every situation.#KXIPvRCB
— Jaanvi 🏏 (@ThatCricketBuff) May 14, 2018
#KXIPvRCB. So bored I decided to watch Hera Pheri for entertainment. Babu Bhaiya will entertain us
— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) May 14, 2018
