Like all fans, many former and current cricket players from across the world were enthralled by the IPL spectacle the Rajasthan Royals and the Kings XI Punjab delivered on Sunday evening.
Requiring a mammoth 224 runs for victory, the Royals produced the highest-ever run chase in IPL history when a blitz cameo by Rahul Tewatia steered Steve Smith’s men home by four wickets in the final over of the match.
The comeback by the Royals sparked a lot engagement on social media, with many cricket lovers and players impressed and rather surprised by the Sharjah spectacle.
READ: Rajasthan egde KXIP in thriller
‘Just bloody awesome guys!’ tweeted former Australian spinner Shane Warne after the game, while Kevin Pietersen, who worked as a commentator during the match, wrote ‘What a game’ on his Twitter feed.
Even the great Sachin Tendulkar responded to the Royals’ heroics, saying the team’s batsmen ‘kept their cool and accelerated beautifully’.
Just bloody awesome guys ! Congrats to all and so happy for all the boys. Wow, wow, wow. The 2020 @IPL has a similar feel to 2008. Win all close games and chase down huge scores ! Never give up and lots of belief !!!!! Well done to all ???????????????? https://t.co/wBXoDUZH5m
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) September 27, 2020
What A Game – @IPL ?
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) September 27, 2020
Terrific batting by @rajasthanroyals’ batsmen Smith, Sanju & Tewatia to chase this mega total.
They kept their cool and accelerated beautifully.
Surprised how the @lionsdenkxip fast bowlers didn’t bowl many yorkers and also failed to use M Ashwin enough. #RRvKXIP #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/f52wF11uig
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 27, 2020
What a game ..that’s why this is the best league in the world … amazing talent on display @bcci @IPL
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) September 27, 2020
Can I just say again, THAT WAS INSANE!#ipl #RRvsKXIP #whatamatch
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) September 27, 2020
Former Proteas star fielder Jonty Rhodes, who works as a fielding coach for the KXIP, was just as surprised by Nicholas Pooran’s brilliant fielding effort that also caused a storm on social media.
WATCH: Pooran’s Superhuman effort
‘NO question about it being THE best save, EVER,’ tweeted Rhodes post-match.
When the #godofcricket @sachin_rt says it is, then there really is NO question about it being THE best save, EVER. Fantastic work by @nicholas_47 who inspired the rest of the @lionsdenkxip fielders to put on 1 of the best defensive fielding displays I have ever seen #proudcoach https://t.co/tBZoyJ97HJ
— Jonty Rhodes (@JontyRhodes8) September 28, 2020
Nicholas Pooran has just pulled off one of the great saves in the game of cricket. Unbelievable awareness.
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) September 27, 2020