Twitter Reactions: Ngidi's four-fer derails KXIP, Nair plays saving grace for Kings

When the Kings XI Punjab arrived in Pune for their final league game of IPL 2018, they knew they had their task cut out. They have to win the match and by a significant margin to pip Rajasthan Royals from the top four of the points table. The Kings are up against the Chennai Super Kings in the marquee clash in Pune. After the toss was done, the Kings were asked to bat first.

The equation stands sorted that the Kings XI Punjab have to win the match by a margin of 53 runs or more to qualify for the playoffs. However, by the look of things at the half way stage, the task seems improbable considering the fact that the Chennai Super Kings have an in-form and arguably the best batting lineup. In the first innings, the visitors lost the wicket of Chris Gayle on a duck in the second over with Lungi Ngidi getting the big wicket.

Soon, Deepak Chahar struck for the Super Kings as he dismissed Aaron Finch on 4 in the third over. In the very next over, Ngidi struck again and got the big wicket of in-form batter KL Rahul on 7. Manoj Tiwary and David Miller had a very tough task on their hands. The two batsmen had made a handful of appearances for the Kings XI Punjab in the tournament thus far. And hence, things looked on shaky grounds for them.

The two veteran stars still managed to show some resilience with the bat and added 60 runs for the fourth wicket to stabilize the innings to some extent. While Miller scored 24 off 22 balls, Tiwary hit 35 off 30 deliveries. Both batsmen were sent packing in quick succession that dented the KXIP innings even more.

The innings was in dire straits and was not going anywhere. However, Karun Nair came up with a much needed cameo to help the Kings get back in the game. Nair scored 54 off just 26 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes amidst the ruins to take the KXIP total to 153 in 19.4 overs. For the Super Kings, Ngidi returned with phenomenal numbers of 4-1-10-4.

Here is how the cricket world reacted to the Kings XI Punjab innings:

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