Twitter Reactions: CSK's Ruturaj Gaikwad gives a knock-out punch to KXIP

Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab engaged in their last face-off of the league stage at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The three-time title holders had nothing to lose as they were already out of the tournament owing to abysmal performance throughout the season. However, coming on the back of a thrilling win against Kolkata Knight Riders, the yellow army were armed with the much-needed confidence in the final encounter against the mighty Kings.

As far as the Punjab outfit was concerned, it was their do-or-die clash in order to remain relevant in the race of the playoffs. Going ahead with changes in the playing XI, Chennai roped in Faf Du Plessis, Shardul Thakur and Imran Tahir smartly. KL Rahul decided to bring in in-form Mayank Agarwal and Jimmy Neesham hoping to end the match on a winning note.

Having won the toss, MS Dhoni decided to bowl first with an expectation to sing the winning notes once again. As the match unfolded, the opening duo- skipper KL Rahul and swashbuckler Mayank Agarwal could not make the bat talk much. After cementing a scintillating start notching up 48 runs in 32 balls, Mayank perished away getting out to Lungi Ngidi.

The last match’s star-performer Chris Gayle along with KL Rahul could not add much to the team score. The former got out lbw after amassing meagre 12 runs out of 19 deliveries. The latter could manage 29 runs laced up with one flat-six and 3 dashing fours. The middle-order collapsed yet again. Mandeep Singh and Nicholas Pooran along with Jimmy Neesham fell like a pack of cards.

However, at the time when Punjab needed the most, Deepak Hooda raised his hand. His cameo helped the team post a respectable score against the mighty Super Kings. Scoring a quick-fire cameo of 62*, the budding youngster showed his zeal on the 22 yards. The innings decorated with 3 fours and 4 massive sixes; the Kings XI Punjab raked up the total of 153 runs after the end of 20 overs.

Ruturaj Gaikwad stole the show with his impeccable performance with the bat

In reply, Chennai Super Kings put their best foot forward only to give the team a much-needed start. The openers-Faf Du Plessis and the young Ruturaj Gaikwad played their roles to perfection. Cementing a solid foundation, the duo added 82 runs for the first wicket. However, Faf got out to Chris Jordan on 48 which raised hopes for KXIP. However, Gaikwad and Ambati Rayudu made sure that there were no more hiccups in the chase.

The former slammed his third consecutive half-century and remained unbeaten till the end to make sure he took his team home. CSK crossed the winning line in the 19th over with Gaikwad scoring 62 while Rayudu remained not-out on 30. With this significant loss, Kings XI Punjab has lost its chance to reserve the playoffs berth while CSK end their season on a winning note.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Unlucky @lionsdenkxip coupl of decisions gng against today that’s the nature of the game But I think it was a great efort to come bak in the tournament Gaikwad looks like a special talent good find fr @ChennaiIPL Bach gaya @yuzi_chahal 😅 all eyes on the big game now #KKRvsRR

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) November 1, 2020

First time all teams have won at least 6 matches in an IPL season. #IPL2020 has been the closest of all! #CSKvKXIP

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 1, 2020

Tough luck @lionsdenkxip
Quite a season they've had!
Thanks for the entertainment 🙌🏾#CSKvsKXIP

— Navneeth Krishna (@navkrish55) November 1, 2020

Ruturaj Gaikwad story:

•Completely warmed IPL 2019 on bench.
•Got COVID19 positive right before IPL 2020.
•Scored 2 ducks in his first 3 matches.
•Becomes the first CSK player to score 3 back to back fifties.

Well done, @Ruutu1331.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 1, 2020

See you next year, baby yellow. Comeback stronger @ChennaiIPL. 💛 pic.twitter.com/LjtRPzg3cG

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) November 1, 2020

KXIP's flight back home is sponsored by…#KXIPvCSK pic.twitter.com/TPTM3sXs91

— Manya (@CSKian716) November 1, 2020

One for the Super Fans…

…and RCB, DC, SRH, RR and KKR. 😋💛#WhistlePodu #Yellove #WhistleFromHome #CSKvKXIP

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 1, 2020

Ruturaj Gaikwad:

First 3 inns – 0, 5, 0
Last 3 inns – Three 50s#IPL2020 #CSKvKXIP

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 1, 2020

@ChennaiIPL has booked return flight for @lionsdenkxip now today’s second match is knock out

— Sunandan Lele (@sunandanlele) November 1, 2020

Kings XI Punjab were the most entertaining team of IPL 2020:

•Part of 2 Super Overs.
•Part of first ever double Super Over.
•Won just 1 in first 7 games.
•Won 5 on a trot to make a comeback.

Come stronger next year, @lionsdenkxip.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 1, 2020

Great show yet again #Riturajgaikwad well played… @ChennaiIPL well played 👏👏💪

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 1, 2020

Never in the contest after that Mayank knock, very dismal even though Hooda tried alone to do something but not to be…

Hope Coach and Captain are asked to explain some very ordinary decision making over the course of the tournament..

Prabhsimran over Maxwell…..

— Gappistan Radio (@GappistanRadio) November 1, 2020

One more victory and CSK may have qualified for the playoffs.

That Bravo injury or Kedar losing those two matches is going to hurt them really bad.#IPL2020

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) November 1, 2020

Ruturaj Gaikwad:

Three consecutive 50s in three successive successful chases. #IPL2020 #CSKvKXIP

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 1, 2020

Thanks for the cricgasmic hat-trick @Ruutu1331! 🦁💛#WhistlePodu #Yellove #WhistleFromHome #CSKvKXIP pic.twitter.com/aV9vuRvEhO

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 1, 2020

The huge positive for #csk has to be the exciting #ruturaj.3 back to back 50's and all in a winning cause. Not a great year for them but am sure they will come back strong.i trust the ppl involved here. The lion am sure will roar again real soon #IPL2020

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) November 1, 2020

So, #KXIP and #CSK end up with same number of points. Former will be seen as one of the exciting stories and latter will be seen as a major disappointment. Two things
1. You pay a price for your success
2. #KXIP started winning with their hopes alive. #CSK only after it was over

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 1, 2020

#RiturajGaikwad is like #KishoreKumar songs in the mashup age! #ProGyaan #IPL2020 #CSK

— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) November 1, 2020

Ruturaj Gaikwad….first #CSK player to score three consecutive half centuries. Ever. 👏👏

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 1, 2020

What ingredients did CSK find in these last three games that was missing most of the season?

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) November 1, 2020