IPL 2020: Twitterati troll RR as they finish last in points table after 60-run thumping from KKR

Eoin Morgan and Pat Cummins’ best-ever IPL performances forced the Rajasthan Royals out of the tournament as they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by 60 runs in Match 54 of IPL 2020 at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

After Steve Smith won the toss and opted to field first, Jofra Archer got RR off to a flying start by dismissing Nitish Rana for a duck off the second ball of the innings. But Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi didn’t let the pressure get to them, and instead took the attack to the RR bowlers.

The duo put on 72 runs off just 49 deliveries for the second wicket to put KKR in the driver’s seat. Rahul Tewatia then accounted for Gill (36 off 24) and removed Sunil Narine – who came in at No. 4 – three balls later.

KKR went through another rough patch as the well-set Rahul Tripathi (39 off 34) and Dinesh Karthik (0 off 1) perished in a matter of 3 deliveries to be precariously placed on 99 for 5 in the 13th over. Andre Russell – who came into the side after a 4-match injury layoff – went into top gear straight away, hitting 2 consecutive sixes off Kartik Tyagi.

But the 19-year-old came back in style to take the prized scalp of Russell after a quickfire 25 off just 11 balls. Eoin Morgan, though, held fort at one end and forged a 40-run seventh-wicket stand with Pat Cummins to finish on an unbeaten 35-ball 68, powering KKR to 191 for 7 in the process.

In reply, RR lost Robin Uthappa in the first over, but that was after both he and Ben Stokes tore into Pat Cummins (4 for 34) and plundered 19 runs off the first 6 balls. But, the Australian fast bowler made a roaring comeback to take 3 wickets in his next 2 overs, leaving the Steve Smith-led side on 37 for 5 after 5 overs.

Jos Buttler (35 off 22) and Rahul Tewatia (31 off 27) steadied the ship with a 43-run sixth-wicket stand, but Varun Chakravarthy (2 for 20), Kamlesh Nagarkoti (1 for 24) and Shivam Mavi (2 for 15) dried up the runs to restrict the opposition to 131 for 9.

The loss pushed RR to the bottom of the IPL 2020 points table, while KKR’s qualification chances hinge on the results of the remaining 2 matches.

Check out IPL 2020 schedule.

Twitter reacts to IPL 2020, KKR vs RR

KKR stepping on the 4th place directly from the 8th place. #KKRvRR pic.twitter.com/ypTa3fuO9K

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 1, 2020

KKR fans calculating the net run rate of SRH, RCB & DC for playoffs#KKRvRR pic.twitter.com/8SC58PMYuk

— Prashant Paleja (@caprashant1) November 1, 2020

Reasons for @rajasthanroyals loss today:- Archer could not get more than 1 wicket- Allowed Morgan 2 flourish at the death- lost wickets in quick succession- no big partnership- left 2 far behind#KKRvRR #KKRvsRR #RRvKKR #IPL2020 #IPLinUAE #Dream11IPL

— Tejas Pujare (@tejas_pujare) November 1, 2020

#KKRvRR Picture abhi baki hai #KKRvRR #KKR #RR #Housing #BestHomeCommentator @Housing pic.twitter.com/Ln32Q1Lip6

— Srikanth.V (@v_srikanth70) November 1, 2020

Only thing I used to take pride on that RR didn't finished last till now but now I am hurt Thank you Cricket legends jaydev unakad / Ankit Rajput / Varun Aron for your brilliant contribution to rival team #RajasthanRoyals #KKRvRR #IPL2020 #RR

— shubhamshihara (@shubhamshihara) November 1, 2020

#IPL2020 #Dineshkarthik#RRvKKR #KKRvRR #KXIPvCSK pic.twitter.com/DrYPpKO145

— AB De Villiers (@kamnaaty) November 1, 2020

.@DineshKarthik’s stunning catch to dismiss Ben Stokes arguably the best of #IPL2020. Great anticipation, reflexes, agility, and hand(s)

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 1, 2020

Probably for the first time in #IPL2020 teams might have struggled more to qualify for play offs than to win the trophy.#KKRvRR

— Pruthvi (@pruthvi_ved) November 1, 2020

Rajasthan gave false hopes with that start in Sharjah tbh. Missed Stokes at the start but too many changes and some really poor calls from Smith. Out of form and made some really risky calls with batting and bowling options. Hope they find better balance next year.

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 1, 2020