Rajasthan Royals are on a roll. Despite the absence of star players, despite the evident shortcomings in starting XI, the team in pink keeps on punching above their weight, just like the way they did in Indian Premier League’s first season. Their latest victory, a close 3 wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders, had just one theme to it – Young Talent.
Although the visitors started the second innings dominantly in the powerplay, the game swung in KKR’s favour once Rahane and Co. were back in the pavilion. Having been reduced to 123/6 with 54 more runs needed, the situation may have spelt panic for other teams. But not for Rajasthan. The 17-year-old youngster Riyan Parag (47) first teamed up with another youngster Shreyas Gopal (18) and then with Jofra Archer (27*) to take the team within touching distance of a win. The Englishman then scored 10 in the first two balls of the last over in front of a muted Eden Gardens stadium to help the Royals script a memorable 3-wicket win.
Earlier in the day, skipper Dinesh Karthik had hit a massive knock of 97 runs to rebuff criticisms over his form going into the World Cup. However, the bowlers’ inability to capitalize on early wickets proved costly for the home team. KKR have now lost 6 games in a row and they remain rooted to the 6th position.
The Twitterati came to life after the incredible turnaround. Some praised Dinesh Karthik and Riyan Parag while others trolled KKR’s dismal record of defeats. Here is how the fans reacted :
Did @DineshKarthik just prove his place in the World Cup squad with his performance for @KKRiders? Fans think so. #KKRvRR ? https://t.co/ZaThRNNBLx
— Twitter Moments India (@MomentsIndia) April 25, 2019
Oh DK! You are so good! What an innings! ???
And thanks for talking to us immediately after the innings despite being exhausted. ??#StarSports #KKRvRR— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 25, 2019
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Super Knock. On a tough pitch. That’s the Karthik we had come to know over the last couple of years. Scored 97 out of team’s 175. Incredible. #KKRvRR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 25, 2019
I don't understand KKR fans criticizing DK, KKR had no chance last year they still got to 3 because of him. You need to trust him for at least 1 more year. #KKRvRR
— Sir Manish Pandey (@IPLnRealityTV) April 25, 2019
97* off 50 balls by Dinesh Karthik. What an inning. World Cup se pehle lagbhag sab form me aa gaye hain ??? #KKRvRR #RRvKKR #DineshKarthik pic.twitter.com/SKlK93lbIZ
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 25, 2019
RR and RCB just switching between 7 & 8 on points table throughout the IPL. #KKRvRR pic.twitter.com/QqQJzMX1vD
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 25, 2019
Name : Riyan Parag
Age : 17 (Yeah no kidding)
Job : Tonking 140+ kmph deliveries.I was failing my JEE tests at 17. #KKRvRR
— Manya (@CSKian716) April 25, 2019
For someone so young, to have such calmness and confidence under pressure is just incredible! Riyan Parag was the real hero tonight. ?????#KKRvRR
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 25, 2019
Whoaaa…super game in the end. Riyan Parag….hope to hear his name quite a lot from here onwards. Temperament Top Class. ☺️??? #KKRvRR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 25, 2019
Regardless of the result tonight Riyan Parag at just 17 years of age is showing amazing leadership, skill and game sense. Another major find in the @IPL . #KKRvRR
— Mel 'MJ' Jones (@meljones_33) April 25, 2019
For a 17 year old who’s playing just his 4th IPL game Riyan Parag has looked extremely mature & cool. The kid has got a very good brain. We might be looking at the next superstar. #KKRvRR
— Arjun Ashok (@arj_90) April 25, 2019
#RR Riyan Parag Das (47) – 17y-166d – missed a fifty again and being the youngest to hit an #IPL fifty.#KKRvRR#IPL2019
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 25, 2019
Rcb fans to KKR fans right now #KKRvRR pic.twitter.com/juVDsQwauM
— Dhiraj Khobragade (@dhirajkhobragde) April 25, 2019
Kkr fans has just lost the right of trolling RCB #KKRvRR
— ghungroo seth (@Ghungroo_seth1) April 25, 2019
RCB, RR and KKR are fighting very hard to be on bottom position ?#KKRvRR pic.twitter.com/y1X0cc6kiT
— sachin shivalkar (@shivalkarsachin) April 25, 2019
Prasid to kkr team #KKRvRR pic.twitter.com/CeOoy2KmnW
— Chowkidar Pankaj (@PankajD_90) April 25, 2019
CSK, DC, MI and SRH watching other 4 teams spoiling each other's chance to reach play-offs pic.twitter.com/S85QUHjd2k
— Faking News (@fakingnews) April 25, 2019
