Twitter Reactions: Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers outshine Chris Gayle as RCB get off the mark this season

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have finally managed to win their first match of the season. They defeated the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by eight wickets in Mohali courtesy superb half-centuries from AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli. They also bowled well earlier and restricted the home side to 173 despite Chris Gayle batting for 20 overs. The Universe Boss remained unbeaten on 99 runs but his knock went in vain in the end.

The chase began on a spectacular note for the visitors as Parthiv Patel and Kohli smacked boundaries upfront in the powerplay. However, Ravi Ashwin brought himself into the attack to fox the former with a brilliant delivery. But this was the only moment when the KXIP celebrated. The dream duo of Kohli and De Villiers got together then to stitch a brilliant partnership of 85 runs even as the RCB skipper crossed the 50-run mark.

Though they slowed down just like their opponents, in the second half of the chase and the game became interesting with Kohli falling. But Marcus Stoinis came out and played with intent. Even De Villiers struggled in the end but Stoinis’ presence made sure that RCB were always on the track for victory.

Gayle misses out on a century

It was Chris Gayle’s day earlier when the RCB won the toss and opted to field. He was dropped on 8 by none other than AB de Villiers and he made the visitors pay for their fielding lapses. He and KL Rahul started well but Yuzvendra Chahal snaffled the latter with some clever bowling. The leggie then had redemption by castling Mayank Agarwal who had hit him for a six only of the previous delivery.

Chris Gayle was in the mood on the day and he smacked some quick runs upfront to reach 48 off 24 deliveries. But then he slowed down considerably later. Gayle struggled for timing as well and strangely, the KXIP never sent the hard-hitter Nicholas Pooran to bat.

Sam Curran and Mandeep Singh batted ahead and the move didn’t work for them. Gayle dished out a few big hits late in the innings to remain agonisingly unbeaten on 99 runs as KXIP finished on 173 runs for the loss of four wickets. Eventually, it was not enough as Virat Kohli and De Villiers first then Stoinis guided the RCB to their first victory of the season.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

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