Chris Gayle And KL Rahul Had Joined Hands To Stitch A Match-Winning Partnership:
Kings XI Punjab defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets to record their second victory this season during the 31st match of the current 13th season of the Indian Premier League between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah.
Kings XI thrived on the back of a 78-run opening partnership between Captain KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal (45), chasing a 172-run target. With their batting doing well most times this season, they were further helped by the inclusion of seasoned batsman Chris Gayle.
Kings XI, having scored 56 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket, went on to score 84/1 despite losing Agarwal at the halfway stage. In direct proximity to the needed run rate, Gayle initially did not hamper their chances by taking his time.
In the second half of the innings, what also worked for Kings XI was Rahul assuming the attacking role. The right-hand batsman hit a pair of gigantic sixes off Royal Challengers pacer Mohammed Siraj to up the ante in the 12th over.
The 41-year-old had given hints of finding his mojo, with Gayle also joining the party in the next over via two sixes off Bangalore’s all-rounder Washington Sundar.
KXIP was undisturbed, despite a few economic overs from Chris Morris and Navdeep Saini, as the pair accumulated 20 runs off the next one. However, by taking the chase to the last ball despite needing seven runs in the last two overs, Punjab ended up giving signs of choking again.
Eventually, it was Nicholas Pooran, the Punjab batsman, who struck a last-ball six to seal the chase. While Rahul, with the help of one four and five sixes, remained unbeaten on 61 * (49), Gayle played extremely well for his 53 (45), including a four and five sixes.
Check Out The Reactions Of Twitterati:
If the universe boss @henrygayle middles the ball it will land in abu dabhi from Sharjah 😂! @klrahul11 and @mayankcricket great start to the chase ! Hopefully these guys should finish the game ! Surprised to see @ABdeVilliers17 coming to bat so late ! #RCBvKXIP #IPL2020
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 15, 2020
Universe Boss is back. And #KXIP has bossed this game. Two wins in #IPL2020 thus far. And both against #PlayBold #RCBvKXIP
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 15, 2020
Chris Gayle has been the greatest T20 player. No doubt about that. The question was whether he still is. I don't know that but he is still value.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 15, 2020
Well played to @henrygayle . Welcome back, its been a while but great to have him back. Nice knock from K L Rahul who balanced his inning well.
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) October 15, 2020
Lovely to see the great player turning the clock back. Well played @henrygayle and @klrahul11 batting through. After the RCB batting order experiment @lionsdenkxip deserved to win this. RCB can’t make their best batter wait. AB should have been in at 4.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) October 15, 2020
The #boss is back #Gayle #KXIPvRCB
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) October 15, 2020
Universe Boss @henrygayle is BACK. Sensational 50* off 36 balls with 5 huge 6s. He remains the greatest entertainer in batting history. pic.twitter.com/6MO5NSBGHB
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 15, 2020
