Twitter Reactions: Lynn, Narine and accurate bowling help KKR top points table

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) moved to the top of the points table in this edition’s Indian Premier League (IPL), toppling the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The franchise, captained by Dinesh Karthik, defeated the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by eight wickets at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. In the meantime, the Royals lost their fourth game and kept languishing in the bottom half of the table.

Smith steadies the ship

The pitch wasn’t an easy one for batting and after being put in to bat first, the Royals could only score 139 in their 20 overs. Their start wasn’t great as Prasidh Krishna struck first blood, dismissing Ajinkya Rahane for five in the second over. Then Jos Buttler and Steve Smith put their heads down and cobbled together a partnership of 72 runs, though they scored it in 64 balls, taking their own time.

Buttler wasn’t at his fluent best and could only score 37 runs from 34 deliveries with five boundaries and one over-boundary. The likes of Rahul Tripathi and Ben Stokes found the going tough. At the other end, Smith looked calm and composed. He notched a fifty in 44 balls and remained not out on 73 runs from 59 balls with seven fours and a six. Harry Gurney was the pick of the KKR bowlers with two wickets.

Lynn and Narine blaze away

Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine didn’t die wondering while chasing the target. The two attacking batsmen went hell for leather and put on 91 for the opening wicket in 51 balls to make a game a one-sided affair. The Royals’ fielding was also a tad below-par as Rahul Tripathi dropped a simple chance of Narine in the third over. The unlucky bowler was Dhawal Kulkarni, who even produced a chance in the next ball.

An inswinger from him smacked into the stumps of Lynn and the lights flashed as well, but the bails didn’t get dislodged. Kulkarni and Rahane showed displeasure by the development. Lynn got out after scoring 50 runs from 32 balls with six fours and three sixes. Narine raced away to a 25-ball 47 and helped KKR utilize the powerplay. The visitors eventually won with 37 balls to spare.

Here is how Twitter praised the Knight Riders

Just another regular top performance by @KKRiders. An early finish this IPL looked a rare sight but good to have one, some one in the @rajasthanroyals need to support Shreyas Gopal.#RRvKKR

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 7, 2019

I believe KKR have found a long term seam solution in Harry Gurney.#KKR.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 7, 2019

One team had batsmen concerned about getting out. The other didn’t & that’s the team that won.#KKR

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 7, 2019

#RRvKKR unwatchable. 139 for 3, seriously #RR ?????

— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) April 7, 2019

Russell can’t hit you if he doesn’t get to bat 🙈 #RRvKKR #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 7, 2019

Bowlers who bowl Googly a lot more than leg-spin should be termed a ‘Googly bowler’ and not a leg-spinner. What say? Stock delivery should define the bowler not the variation…. #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 7, 2019

Simple rule change … If the Zinger bails are going be used which I like .. If the Ball hits the stumps and the Bail lights up then it must be OUT … We can’t be having Bowlers Bowl a Batsman out then the bails not to come off but the Zingers be flashing .. #IPL2019

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 7, 2019

Although cricket is an unpredictable game but @KKRiders should pass through this easily. @stevesmith49 amongst the runs is a good sign for @rajasthanroyals #RRvKKR

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 7, 2019

Piyush gave 19 runs in his four over spell.
Narine gave 22 runs in his spell.
Gautham’s first over was dispatched for 22 runs. Narine Power. #RRvKKR #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 7, 2019

How unfortunate it is for Dhawal Kulkarni and #RR BALL HITTING THE STUMPS BUT BUT BUT

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 7, 2019

Will we get to see a repeat of yesterday's game ? Will need a special effort like that of Alzarri Joseph's #RRvKKR

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 7, 2019

HUGE 6 from @stevesmith49 … That puts any doubts about the elbow to bed … Warner is Back … Smith is Back … #IPL2019

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 7, 2019

Have to say @rajasthanroyals are not getting the best out of @benstokes38 … He needs to be higher up the order … #JustSaying #IPL2019

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 7, 2019

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