"Treating Rabada like Kabada"- Fans erupt as KL Rahul, Agarwal destroy DC bowling attack

KL Rahul will be satisfied with the effort his men have put in to post a daunting total of 195-4 in their 20 overs against the Delhi Capitals (DC). On his 29th birthday, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper played another responsible knock of 61, while his opening partner Mayank Agarwal stole the show with a blistering 69.

PBKS had been rattled by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their previous game. But their batting unit brilliantly responded to that debacle and the opening pair of KL Rahul and Agarwal led from the front.

The duo put on a huge stand of 122 runs for the first wicket and that set things up nicely for PBKS. Although they lost their way a bit in the middle, useful cameos from Deepak Hooda and Shahrukh Khan took PBKS closer to the 200-run mark.

Twitter reacts to the carnage from KL Rahul and Agarwal

PBKS fans were delighted to see KL Rahul and his men dish out a strong batting performance. Here's what they had to say about their star opening combination as well as their innings in general:

KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal to DC's bowling line-up: #DCvPBKS pic.twitter.com/9Ff0NgRrDz

— UrMiL07™ (@urmilpatel30) April 18, 2021

Delhi capitals Bowlers to Kl Rahul And Mayank Agarwal. #Dcvspkbs pic.twitter.com/K2fibaGKSz

— Vishav Verma (@iamvishavverma) April 18, 2021

#PBKS 195-4👌 could've been a lot more but! Mayank Agarwal was phenomenal in his 69(36). He totally dominated the opening partnershipB'day boy KL Rahul 61(51) - steadyLate fireworks from Hooda and SRK#PBKSvDC

— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) April 18, 2021

Highest opening partnership against Delhi Capitals in IPL:-122 - KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal today112 - Dwayne Smith & Brendon McCullum in 2016108 - Rahul Dravid & Ajinkya Rahane in 2013#IPL2021 #DCvPBKS

— #PAKvZIM #IPL2021 #ZIMvPAK #IPL2021 #PAKvZIM (@_inamstatsman) April 18, 2021

IPL 2020 Feels When Breaking KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal's Partnership Was Next To Impossible! #DCvPBKS | #IPL2021

— Prathamesh Avachare (@onlyprathamesh) April 18, 2021

Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul treating Rabada as Kabada. #PBKSvDC

— واعظ خان (@WaizArd20) April 18, 2021

Mayank Agarwal is probably giving the best gift to KL Rahul on his birthday.Helping him to statpad. #IPL

— Chinaman. (@DenofRohit) April 18, 2021

The best opening pair of last year put up a great show tonight as well. First hundred runs opening partnership this IPL - KL Rahul & Mayank Agarwal. #DCvPBKS #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/PoobDumfXG

— Rahul Sharma (@CricFnatic) April 18, 2021

Mayank Agarwal And KL Rahul be like: pic.twitter.com/Ks7KoBrdyD

— Troll Arts (@arts_troll) April 18, 2021

There has been much debate over whether explosive West Indies batsman Chris Gayle must open the batting for PBKS. But the innings tonight from both KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal proved why the PBKS team management has been backing this combination.

KL Rahul played the typical anchor role and let Agarwal take the game to the opposition. Right from the get-go, Agarwal dominated the DC bowlers and gave Rahul the time he needed to get his eye in.

They also targeted DC's best bowler in Kagiso Rabada while their skipper Rishabh Pant looked to be running out of ideas. Some late wickets ensured that DC didn't let PBKS cross the 200-run mark.

With dew being a factor and the DC openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan in top form, DC might fancy themselves chasing this total down.