KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda were in a mood a test the boundary ropes of the Wankhade stadium in the match against Rajasthan Royals. Usually, when there’s an IPL match in Mumbai it is always expected to be a run-fest. When Punjab Kings walked about to bat they were eying a target of over 200 runs from the first ball itself and their skipper KL Rahul led from the front.
KL Rahul And Deepak Hooda Star As Punjab Kings Post A Daunting Total
Last year Rahul had a conservative approach at the top but in IPL 2021 from the first match, he showed that he means business and will be batting aggressively from the outset. The Punjab Kings skipper after a few balls teed off and played some of his trademark strokes that went sailing over the boundary ropes. Once he was joined by Deepak Hood at the crease it was mayhem from both ends and there was no respite for RR bowlers.
Hood came out to bat at 4 and his role was clear which was to go after the spinners and take the team above 200. He did exactly that as he kept backing himself and clearing the boundary fence which stunned the opposition skipper Sanju Samson and his team. Rahul and Hooda shared a 105 runs stand and they were unanimously lauded by everyone on Twitter. Hooda scored 64 in just 28 balls whereas Rahul missed a well-deserved century as he was dismissed 91 runs and his strike rate was a brilliant 182.
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Meanwhile, Twitter showered praises on the two as they batted according to the situation and made full use of the batting-friendly conditions. The two between them struck 11 sixes as Punjab Kings posted a gigantic total of 221 runs. Here are all the reactions on Twitter after Rahul and Hooda put on a batting exhibition and helped their team post 221 on the board.
Twitter Reactions
K L Rahul…how long before we start calling him Mr. IPL? Makes the art of batting look so KLassssy. #IPL2021 #RRvsPBKS
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 12, 2021
Couple of months back Hooda was in the limelight after getting suspended by Baroda Cricket Association. Tonight the spotlight’s on him for all the right reasons
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 12, 2021
What an inn #Deepakhooda @PunjabKingsIPL
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 12, 2021
Klass Rahul @klrahul11 showing why he's one of the top players to watch out for #IPL2021 ! Special knock by a special player, great to watch #Deepakhooda bat the way he does! Thoroughly entertaining 1st half! #RRvsPBKS
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) April 12, 2021
If you want to learn to never back down then read the story of Deepak Hooda’s past few months and watch him bat tonight. Well played buddy! #Fighter #mentallystrong
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 12, 2021
Some students just now the question paper format similar to how KL knows this format ! Well played #KLRahul !#RRvPBKS
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) April 12, 2021