Twitter Reactions: Rahul's 95 goes in vain as Royals stay alive with a crucial win

The Rajasthan Royals have managed to stay afloat in the 2018 edition of the IPL with a crucial win over the Kings XI Punjab. Playing in Jaipur, the hosts managed to successfully defend 158 to win the game. Coming in to the game, they were desperate to win in order to keep their hopes of qualifying for the finals. Despite scoring an underpar total, their bowlers ensured they ended up with a 15 run win.

Earlier in the game, the Rajasthan Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane had won the toss and opted to bat first. The move did not quite work well for them as Rahane perished for 9 in the fourth over. Pinch hitter K Gowtham got a promotion at number three but only to score 8. While the first two wickets fell cheaply, the man at the other end, Jos Buttler, looked like batting on a different track altogether.

Buttler took the counter attack and made run scoring look very easy. He found some support from Sanju Samson (22) as he rallied past his third consecutive fifty in the tournament. He was eventually dismissed by Mujeeb Rahman in the 17th over on 82 that came off 58 balls with 9 fours and a six to his name. After his dismissal, the innings crashed big time as Andrew Tye ran through the lower middle order.

Tye’s four-fer restricted Rajasthan to 158/8 in their stipulated 20 overs. The run chase for the Kings XI Punjab was only about one man – KL Rahul. K Gowtham struck twice in the third over to dismissed Chris Gayle and R Ashwin in space of two deliveries. While KL Rahul continued batting with his good form, he found absolutely no support from the other end.

Marcus Stoinis and KL Rahul were the only KXIP batsmen who got in to the double digits in the game. Also, it is worth noting that Stoinis was the second highest scorer of the innings with 11 runs to his name. Rahul remained unbeaten on 95 off 70 deliveries  as the Kings fell short by 15 runs.

Here is how the fans reacted to the match:

KXIP using KL Rahul. #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/7hWccEbRgU

— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) May 8, 2018

Wonderful innings from KL Rahul in that surface, reduced the margin of defeat considerably. But Rajasthan Royals will be delighted with this win. They are still in it and if they play to potential they could still make it to the top 4 #RRvKXIP

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 8, 2018

KL has scored 65% (95) of the Team's runs (143) while facing 58% (70) of the total balls (120).

That's Charles Bannerman-esque. #RRvKXIP #KXIP #RR

— Ravi Maestri (@ravimaestri) May 8, 2018

Missed him for RCB but @imVkohli will know @klrahul11 has to open for India in all three formats of the game. No brainer.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 8, 2018

KL Rahul had no support from his team mates. Two back to back games where he has played from start to beginning with today scoring 70% of KXIP runs himself. Team India T20 future opener? #IPL

— cricBC (@cricBC) May 8, 2018

KL Rahul's unbeaten 95 wasn't enough for the visitors to win the game. #IPL #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/rhps39TCEe

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) May 8, 2018

From 60 (57) to 95 (70)
Scored 35 (13) when team needed 57/18…KL Rahul

— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) May 8, 2018

KL Rahul in last 2 match vs Rajasthan Royals:

6/5/2018: At Indore 84* (KXIP won by 6 wkts)
8/5/2018: At Jaipur 95* (KXIP lost by 15 runs)#IPL2018 @mohanstatsman

— Dilip Singh (@Statsdilip) May 8, 2018

Highest unbeaten scores in a losing cause while chasing in IPL:

95* – LOKESH RAHUL v RR, Jaipur, 2018*
94* – Naman Ojha v CSK, Chennai, 2010
92* – Virat Kohli v MI, Mumbai, 2018#RRvKXIP

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 8, 2018

If these guys don't open with KL Rahul in the first game of the England tour, I'm not watching the series.

I'll watch it, anyways though. I just wanted to make a strong point. #IPL2018

— Manya (@CSKian716) May 8, 2018

KL has the skills to become one of India's best 3-4 Test openers of all time. Not kidding. I am talking only about skills.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) May 8, 2018

Lone warrior @klrahul11 -well played! May the form continue!

— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) May 8, 2018

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