KL Rahul and Chris Gayle scored half-centuries at the Eden Gardens as Kings XI Punjab outclassed Kolkata Knight Riders by nine wickets in a rain-hit IPL encounter on Saturday.
While KKR scored a competitive 191 for 7 in 20 overs, KXIP had a revised target of 125 in 13 overs after rain halted play.
Gayle completed a hat-trick of half-centuries with an unbeaten 62 from 38 balls that had five fours and six sixes while Rahul helped himself to a 60 off only 27 balls.
Gayle hit the winning runs six off Tom Curran over long-on as they sealed the issue with 11 balls to spare. This was also KXIP’s first win in Kolkata since 2012.
Earlier, Chris Lynn scored a brilliant 74 off 41, while captain Dinesh Karthik smashed a 28-ball 41 as KKR posted a healthy total on the scoreboard.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to KXIP’s win over KKR:
Another clinical performance. Great job by the bowlers in the last 6-7 overs. Tye was brilliant, then @klrahul11 and @henrygayle doing what they do best. In this format ,Momentum Zindabad and hope we continue with it. #KKRvKXIP
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 21, 2018
@klrahul11 @bcci ..has looked the super batsman in the ipl so far .just cricketing shots ..simple and uncomplicated ..class player
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) April 21, 2018
#KXIP have won the game at the Eden. And thereby move to the top of the points table. Early call….Rahul might end up with most runs in this IPL. If he stays fit. #KKRvKXIP #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 21, 2018
Gayle didn't play the initial 2 games and when he walked in to bat against CSK frankly nobody actually thought he would top the run charts in just his third game. This is some determination from the big man @henrygayle. The @lionsdenkxip have every reason to celebrate #KKRvsKXIP
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 21, 2018
#KXIP Beat #KKR By 9 Wickets To Become Table Topper.
Man Of The Match: Chris Gayle #Gaylestorm
Woman Of The Match: Preity Zinta For Buying Him When No One Else Did.#KKRvKXIP #KKRvsKXIP #IPL2018 #RCBvDD pic.twitter.com/TkBTOlFHo2— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 21, 2018
Chris Gayle in 2018 IPL:
Half Century in 1st Game!
Century in 2nd Game!
Takes orange cap in 3rd Game!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 21, 2018
Yessssss our kings win the match in style 🎉#KKRvKXIP #KXIP #livepunjabiplaypunjabi #IPL2018 #preityzinta pic.twitter.com/eip01wxZUn
— Preity Zinta Fandom (@PZ_Fandom) April 21, 2018
KKR ✅ #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #KKRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/0Yg5dLJJlW
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 21, 2018
The Universe boss has spoken professor… https://t.co/k83qp28JAf
— Mayanti Langer Binny (@MayantiLanger_B) April 21, 2018
Chris Gayle (Orange Cap) in #IPL2018
63(33)
104(63)*
62(38)*Runs : 229
Average : 229
Strike Rate : 170.89First Time Gayle has scored 3 consecutive 50+ scores in IPL !#KKRvKXIP
— Hariharan Durairaj 🦁🐿️ (@hariharan_draj) April 21, 2018
Most consecutive 50-plus scores for KXIP in IPL:
3 – Glenn Maxwell
3 – David Miller
3 – CHRIS GAYLE* #KKRvKXIP— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) April 21, 2018
First time Gayle has made 50+ in 3 consecutive innings in IPL. #KKRvKXIP
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 21, 2018
.@klrahul11 & @realpreityzinta click an #IPLselfie post their comprehensive win at Eden Gardens #VIVOIPL #KKRvKXIP @lionsdenkxip pic.twitter.com/UzYRcIR9Lk
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 21, 2018
A blistering 6⃣0⃣ runs from @klrahul11 makes him the man of the match in #KKRvsKXIP #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/GQbmWjZfd9
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheMaddKiing/status/987680235695951874
Another day, another brilliant batting performance by the Former RCB players. #KKRvKXIP #RCBvsDD
KL Rahul – 60 (27)
Chris Gayle – 62* (38)— Khurram Siddiquee (@iamkhurrum12) April 21, 2018
