IPL 2019: Twitter Reactions – KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan’s fifties in vain as CSK beat KXIP by 22 runs

KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan’s laborious efforts went in vain as Chennai Super Kings held their nerves to beat Kings XI Punjab by 22 runs at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a modest 161-run target, the visitors received early jolts from Harbhajan Singh (4-1-17-2) before Rahul (55 off 47) and Sarfaraz (67 off 59) anchored the Punjab innings with a crucial 110-run stand for the second wicket. However, it was not enough to help them cross the line as CSK registered their fourth win in the IPL 2019 from five matches.

Earlier, Faf du Plessis (54 off 38) hit a fine half-century up the order while skipper MS Dhoni (37 not out, 23 balls) and Ambati Rayudu ((21 not out, 15 balls) provided the late flourish to help the yellow army post a competitive 160 for three against Ravichandran Ashwin & Co.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

It’s not long before teams start ‘retiring out’ batsmen if they are going too slow….happening very often this #IPL #CSKvKXIP
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 6, 2019

Kings XI Punjab Choke Slammed by Dhoni &. Company. The Option of 3 Spinners vs 2 did the trick. It baffles me that Ashwin who knows the place and the surface well still went with only two #CSKvKXIP
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 6, 2019

Brilliant bowling by young @harbhajan_singh ! What control ! Shabash Shabash !
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) April 6, 2019

Superb defence of par score by CSK. Spinners immaculate and economical, fast bowlers who went for plenty at the start, redeemed thenselves at the ‘death’. Most impressive was the approach: composed, confident, calculated. As if they always believed they would win. And did!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 6, 2019

Well as Rahul and Sarfaraz batted, they have ended up losing the game for #KingsXI. Had to go after spin once set.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 6, 2019

We never really got going towards the end. 😔
Hope to bounce back stronger in the next match. 🙌🏻#SaddaPunjab #CSKvKXIP #KXIP #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/j3ZkV1HLYl
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 6, 2019

The metal in the deserved hands of Bhajju pa! #WhistlePodu #Yellove #CSKvKXIP 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/ta0NejQUf0
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 6, 2019

https://twitter.com/FaajiFazil/status/1114539616705507328

Please Anyone Give Than Main of the Match KL Rahul & Sarfaraz.
What a player. Play Selfies.
@lionsdenkxip #Ipl #Ipl2019 @IPL #AskStar
#CSKvKXIP
— Swarup upadhyay (@ImSwarupUp) April 6, 2019