IPL 2019, RR vs KXIP: Twitter reacts Punjab beats Rajasthan by 14 runs amidst 'Mankading' controversy

In comparison to the weekend matches of IPL 2019, the match on Monday between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab was expected to be slightly dull affair but that was not the case. While Chris Gayle and Jos Buttler provided the much-needed fireworks, Ravichandran Ashwin mankading Buttler was the talk of the town. Rajasthan were cruising through while Buttler was batting but their innings derailed after his wicket.

Just like the first three matches of this IPL, the team that won the toss (Rajasthan Royals) opted to field first. The home team got a good start as they dismissed KL Rahul in the first over. Rajasthan were on top of the game in the powerplay as they gave as just 37 runs in the first overs but things changed as Chris Gayle decided to take charge of the match.

The West Indian was at his best as he scored 79 runs in just 47 balls. In the last 13 overs, Punjab scored 147 runs and posted a total of 184 for 4 in 20 overs. Sarfaraz Khan, debuting for KXIP, also contributed with the bat by scoring a handy 46 off 29 balls.

During the chase, Rajasthan Royals got a wonderful start. RR's openers - Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler - added 78 runs for the first wicket in 8 overs. Rahane got out after a 20-ball 27 but Buttler was in cruise mode smashing the ball to all parts of the ground. IPL debutant Sam Curran was the biggest victim of Buttler's onslaught as the youngster conceded 48 runs in his first three overs.

Just when the Punjab bowlers seemed clueless against a rampant Buttler, Ravichandran Ashwin, out of the blue, ran out the English wicket-keeper at the non-striker's end by mankading. Buttler, who was unhappy with his dismissal as he did not receive any prior warning, had no choice but walk back to the pavilion.

After Buttler's dismissal, all KXIP bowlers upped their game as they gave away just 24 runs in the last four overs. Sam Curran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ankit Rajput picked two wickets each in the 17th, 18th, and 20th overs respectively. As a result, Punjab created history by registering their first ever win at Sawai Mann Singh Stadium by 14 runs and opened their account on the IPL Points Table.

Here's how Twitter reacted to Punjab's 14-run win over Rajasthan:

RCB is the only team who goes up in points table when they don't play & goes down in points table when they play.

— arfan. (@Im__Arfan) March 25, 2019

Rajasthan Royals, first 12.4 overs - before the Mankad: 108 for 1 (RR 8.52)Rajasthan Royals, last 7.2 overs - from the Mankad: 62 for 8 (RR 8.40) #IPL #RRvKXIP

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 25, 2019

Lest we forget. #ashwin #buttler pic.twitter.com/xoq8KvNZ1a

— Vinay (@SemperFiUtd) March 25, 2019

Ashwin to his critics. pic.twitter.com/s796F9X6qj

— चोकीदार डी.के. (@itsdhruvism) March 25, 2019

Everybody here would have tweeted it's well within the rules had Ashwin done this against Pak in a world cup match. Aur abhi morality ki baat kar rahe hai

— babu bisleri (@PUNchayatiii) March 25, 2019

You can take Ashwin out of CSK but can't take CSK out of Ashwin.

— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) March 25, 2019

Mankading Smith would have been an epic troll. No one would have bothered to talk about Spirit of cricket. 🤣

— Elite Banker💰 (@coolhandsree) March 25, 2019

Buttler out to show why England don't pick Sam Curran for white ball cricket #RRvKXIP

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 25, 2019

whenever KL Rahul sees English wicket keeper behind the wicket, he automatically gets urge to give him a catch.#RRvKXIP

— Sunil- The cricketer (@1sInto2s) March 25, 2019

Jaydev Unadkat is a legend in my eyes, he fooled Rajasthan Royals twice in 2 years and earned 20+ cr.#RRvKXIP

— Sunil- The cricketer (@1sInto2s) March 25, 2019

Pink Unadkat has Same Blues.

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 25, 2019

🐐 in t20's. Gayle the only man who can you win games single handedly consistently.

— arfan. (@Im__Arfan) March 25, 2019

Gayle First Match =79 Runs RCB First Match = 70 Runs Gayle Won By 9 Runs 🙊#RRvKXIP #RCB

— 🅂🅄🄹🄾🅈ᶜˢᵏ (@SujoyBarg07) March 25, 2019

Every remaining innings of Gayle should be a celebration of his unparalleled contribution to world cricket.. Such a marvelous ambassador of the game

— 🦉 (@TheLyrebird1001) March 25, 2019

GayleRahulMayankSarfrazMandeepKXIP's batting resembles that of RCB's few years back. Just no Kohli-ABD! #RRvKXIP #IPL2019

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 25, 2019

I have decided my career plan. Somehow gonna sneak into RCB for one season. Gonna be in the best form of my life for any another team next season then.

— Ro✨ (@lndianCaptain) March 25, 2019

Interesting that KXIP have preferred Sarfaraz straightaway. Was one of India's most exciting talents couple of years back. Then went to the hellhole that is RCB. Would be surprised if he does well, cos he looked hopeless last year, but if he does, it captures RCB perfectly.

— Elite Alagappan (@IndianMourinho) March 25, 2019

Gem of a knock from Sarfaraz. He showed he has the power to hit in front of square at a venue with big boundaries. His score of 46* is his highest IPL score and only five runs fewer than he scored for in six innings for RCB last season. #IPL #RRvKXIP

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 25, 2019

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