Twitter Reactions: KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan's strange approach hand CSK a comfortable win in Chennai

Dhoni's clever captaincy coupled with some exceptional bowling worked wonders for CSK.

Published - 06 Apr 2019, 19:42 IST | Updated - 06 Apr 2019, 19:42 IST

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The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have once again managed to come out of the jail in the game against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). The visitors were coasting towards victory with the partnership between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan. But the duo could never accelerate and tried to take the game deep. However, the plans to take on the opponent bowlers in the last three overs didn’t come off, rather went haywire, as the KXIP lost the game by 22 runs which is a big margin in the T20s.

Chasing a total of 161 runs, the KXIP got off to a poor start thanks to Harbhajan Singh. He snaffled the dangerous Chris Gayle and then Mayank Agarwal in his very first over to leave them reeling at 7/2. But then, KL Rahul and Sarfaraz played patiently to stitch 110 runs for the third wicket. However, they were extremely slow and Dhoni’s ploy of keeping spinner for the last few overs worked out perfectly.

The pitch turned a fair bit and it worked in CSK’s favour and the death overs assault never came for the KXIP. Their strange approach ended up the team losing the chance of topping the points table as the CSK registered their fourth win of the season.

Dhoni and Faf propel CSK to 160

Earlier in the day, Faf du Plessis slammed a half-century in his first game of the season. Shane Watson looked good but Ravi Ashwin got his wicket. Suresh Raina never came in his elements on the day and scraped his way to 17 off 20 balls. Just when things were looking good for the home team, Ashwin struck gold to dismiss Raina and Faf du Plessis off successive deliveries.

At 100/3, it took a bit of time for Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni to get going. They were extremely slow with the latter batting at 1 off seven balls at one stage. But he recovered brilliantly, in the end, to bring his finishing skills to the fore. CSK added 44 runs off the last three overs to end up on 160 runs for the loss of three wickets after 20 overs. MS Dhoni remained unbeaten for the umpteenth time in his career and scored 37 off just 23 deliveries.

Rayudu also played his part by mustering 21 runs off 15 balls. For the KXIP, they had lost the momentum sensationally with only their skipper Ravi Ashwin picking all the wickets. The score, however, was enough as the strange approach from the visiting batters who fell short of the game by 20 runs eventually.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Phenomenol 19th over from Deepak Chahar after the first 2 nightmarish deliveries #CSKvKXIP
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) April 6, 2019

Well Played, Sarfraz. He’s been a bit of a revelation this #IPL. If these two can keep the remaining two overs of spin out, they win the game tonight. Thriller time. #Tahir #Bhajji #CSKvKXIP
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 6, 2019

Sharm kro R Ashwin
kL rahul aur sarfraz tu dono ekdm ghatiya khele..#CSKvKXIP
— Shivraj Paswan (@Shiva_Paswan7) April 6, 2019

No One Will Troll KL Rahul And Sarfaraz For Their Amazing Knock 😂 #CSKvKXIP
— PBN (@hanjiokay) April 6, 2019

Two minutes silence for those who say that KL Rahul is match winner batsman.. #CSKvKXIP #IPL2019 @klrahul11 @lionsdenkxip
— Sunny Dular (@SunnyDular1) April 6, 2019

Do feel Punjab would have hoped for Miller to go in a bit earlier than when he actually did. Remember there is no Andre Russell in this team!!!! #CSKvsKXIP
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) April 6, 2019

What a self satisfaction game for Kl Rahul and Sarfraz..
Team winning is not endorsement for him…#KXIPvCSK #CSKvKXIP
— Vikash Kumar (@kumarvikash3015) April 6, 2019

KL Rahul and Sarfaraz have ended up costing KXIP the game today. Inexplicable chase this by the @lionsdenkxip. #CSKvKXIP
— Yashaswi (@SassyPiranha) April 6, 2019

Not everyone can replicate the great MSD. KL Rahul & Sarfaraz taken the game too deep and failed to be on the winning side.
Captain cool is unmatchable. ♥️#CSKvKXIP
— Dhivakar.R.S (@dhivakarrs) April 6, 2019

Sarfaraz & KL Rahul played so well
They were making sure to cement their place for rest of the matches #CSKvKXIP
— Aj (@fakarnot) April 6, 2019

KL Rahul and Sarfaraz could have attacked spinners more.#CSKvKXIP #VIVOIPL #IPL2019
— Abhishek Sharma (@AbhishekA1999) April 6, 2019

Thank you Dhoni
Thanks to Our Bowling attack.
Special Thanks to Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul 🙏#CSKvKXIP
— Mohit. (@mohit_sharma__) April 6, 2019

KL Rahul & Sarfraz both of them played too many singles during 13-17 overs cause the match.
— Rimas Razeek (@rimasafridi) April 6, 2019

Now all peoples will blame Sarfaraz for loss ,like they blame siraz yesterday But I think Southee and rahul are more responsible for loss #CSKvKXIP #KXIP #SARFARAZ #KLrahul
— محمد مقبولMohd Maqbool)🇮🇳) (@I_amMaqbool) April 6, 2019

Please Anyone Give Than Main of the Match KL Rahul & Sarfaraz.
What a player. Play Selfies. @lionsdenkxip #Ipl #Ipl2019 @IPL #AskStar
#CSKvKXIP
— Swarup upadhyay (@ImSwarupUp) April 6, 2019