Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made the play-offs of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 with a five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday night, rising to the occasion and displaying in abundance the quality that sets apart a two-time champion.
Opting to bat, hosts SRH were restricted to 172 for nine after a flying start at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Playing in their crucial final league game, KKR held their nerves to chase down a target of 173 with two balls to spare. Captain Dinesh Karthik was once again there till the last to see his team through.
Here’s how the Twitterati reacted to KKR’s win over SRH:
Been awake 24hrs to see these smiles. Thx @DineshKarthik @prasidh43 (well done young man) @robbieuthappa ( v have to exercise 2gether) @lynny50 (wow mate) & @SunilPNarine74 is…Sunil. Very happy cant sleep now!! pic.twitter.com/gdJWwBOG2K
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) May 19, 2018
Should @SunRisers fans start to worry? Third loss in a row now for them as they head into the finals!! #SRHvKKR #VIVOIPL
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) May 19, 2018
In his first stint as captain in IPL @DineshKarthik has led from the front like a BOSS and with a collective team effort has taken his side into the playoffs in style. Serious Contenders now @KKRiders #SRHvKKR
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) May 19, 2018
Well done @lynny50, you really were a star today! @DineshKarthik, you really are #CaptainFantastic! @rinkusingh235, @prasidh43 and all the other #Knights, congratulations! This is so so well deserved! #KKRHaiTaiyaar #SRHvKKR
— Sanjana Ganesan (@SanjanaGanesan) May 19, 2018
Well done @KKRiders for qualifying for play offs. Well done @iamsrk ShahRukh
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 19, 2018
KKR retained their West Indies stars, bought Lynn and Strac at a big price, invested in India U-19 players and did not have a captain after the auction but they believed and showed everyone that cricket is a team game. Here, they are into the playoffs of IPL – 11. #SRHvKKR
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 19, 2018
Congratulations @KKRiders on qualifying for @IPL 2018 Playoffs #KKR
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) May 19, 2018
Not many gave @KKRiders a top 4 chance post the auction. Well, they’ve made it as team number 3.. Haven’t depended on one or two heroes through this campaign.. They’ve played like a team 👏🏻#SRHvKKR
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) May 19, 2018
KKR through to playoffs. 🙏 This day couldn’t get any better than this! #SRHvKKR
— Richa Singh (@richa_singh) May 19, 2018
OUTSTANDING Victory by #KKR against #SRH ,we have qualified for the playoffs & now we are a serious contender of winning IPL 2018 trophy. We just need to play with passion like we did in previous 2 games. Korbo larbo jeetbo Congratulations @iamsrk @VenkyMysore @iam_juhi #SRHvKKR
— Sumit Kadel (@SumitkadeI) May 19, 2018
Congratulations @KKRiders for making the playoffs in style @iamsrk 😊
— satrajit sen (@satrajits) May 19, 2018
Well done @KKRiders into the play offs and they will play at home. Before the tournament many had questioned the team and must say @DineshKarthik has done a stellar job in holding it together. @VenkyMysore
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 19, 2018
Three teams qualified – SRH, CSK, KKR
Two teams disqualified – DD, RCB
One playoffs place on grab between RR, MI and KXIP.
Who will be the fourth to enter the playoffs?
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 19, 2018
DK in successful run chases this IPL
35(29)*vs RCB
42(230*vs RR
23(10) vs RCB – out penultimate over
45(18)*vs CSK
41(31)*vs RR
26(22)*vs SRH#SRHvKKR #SRH #KKR #IPL2018 #IPL— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 19, 2018
KKR qualified to play offs for the sixth time in IPL history…
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 19, 2018
Karthik – The finisher is growing in stature match by match..
No blame game about the pitch or anything of that sought .
Just comes and delivers, each and every time. 100% Success rate.👌👌#IPL2018 #SRHvKKR— shamil (@dollngazal) May 19, 2018
Well played KKR. Start of the season no one thought you would qualify for the play offs.. rising above all odds.. you have won our hearts !! Thank you @DineshKarthik @iamsrk for giving us this happiness !! #SRHvKKR
— Funnily Serious (@notionalview) May 19, 2018
