Twitter Reactions: Arshdeep Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa steer PBKS to victory over KKR

In a thrilling encounter between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, PBKS emerged victorious by 7 runs (DLS method).

After winning the toss, KKR elected to bowl first. The home team posted a daunting total of 191/5 in their 20 overs, thanks to brilliant contributions from their top and middle-order batters. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (50 runs off 32) was the top scorer for the Kings, while Shikhar Dhawan (40 runs off 29) and Sam Curran (26 runs off 17) also played valuable knocks. For KKR, Tim Southee (2 wickets for 54 runs) was the pick of the bowlers.

In response, the Knight Riders started off poorly, losing their openers quickly. However, Andre Russell (35 runs off 19) played a cameo to keep their hopes alive. But Arshdeep Singh (3 wickets for 19 runs) led a brilliant bowling effort from the Kings, which restricted KKR to 146/7 in 16 overs.

For the Mohali-based franchise, Arshdeep was the standout performer with the ball, while Sikandar Raza (1 wicket for 25 runs) and Nathan Ellis (1 wicket for 27 runs) also bowled well.

Arshdeep was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his brilliant bowling performance. The match was interrupted by rain, and the Dhawan-led side was declared winner by 7 runs.

It was a great start to the tournament for Preity Zinta-owned PBKS, who would be looking to carry forward the momentum in the upcoming matches, while Shahrukh Khan’s KKR would be hoping to bounce back in their next game.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

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1️⃣st match, 1️⃣st win! 🤩

Sadde 🦁s put on a blockbuster show in Mohali! #JazbaHaiPunjabi #SaddaSquad #PBKSvKKR #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/o0nuBho9aA

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 1, 2023

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#NGL, this Dhawan-Rajapaksa partnership is top-notch. 👏

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 1, 2023

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Hum Jeet Gaye❤️
So so proud of this team.❤️@PunjabKingsIPL#JazbaHaiPunjabi #PunjabKings #PBKSvKKR #IPL2023 #KKR #PBKS #SaddaPunjab pic.twitter.com/5ofWiXajZe

— Aarushi Joshi (@Aarushijoshi6_) April 1, 2023

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Exactly one year apart, Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s top two innings in IPL, in terms of our Attack Ratings, came against KKR. Today’s knock is also his highest score in IPL.

01/04/2022- 31 runs off 9 balls (225)
01/04/2023- 50 runs off 31 balls (206)
(*Attack Rating)#PBKSvKKR #IPL2023

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) April 1, 2023

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PBKS begins the season on a winning note.#ipl2023 #cricket #PBKSvKKR | 📝 https://t.co/DymSPH4ckg #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/0UeP12LZzc

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 1, 2023

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My favourite Srilankan player. Welcome to the IPl Rajapaksa. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FhbD0bEmsy

— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) April 1, 2023

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Rajapaksa must be the biggest lottery for any IPL team in recent times. No one thought he would make it into the XI looking at punjab’s squad initially but man’s been batting with unreal intent ever since he got a chance.

— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) April 1, 2023

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Punjab beat Kolkata by 7 runs according to the DL Method.

Arshdeep Singh is the hero. pic.twitter.com/tGNGSef5Xs

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 1, 2023

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Arshdeep Singh the generational gem pic.twitter.com/orZckVllOJ

— jasmine Gavin Thomas (@TiredOfProcess) April 1, 2023

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In Powerplay, Arshdeep Singh has the best strike rate (19.5) and 2nd best average (24.25) since 2020 in IPL (min. 300 balls bowled). One of the best Powerplay bowlers in recent times.#PBKSvKKR #IPL2023

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) April 1, 2023

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🦁 MATCH-WINNER! Arshdeep Singh was the X factor for the Punjab Kings tonight.

👏 He was at his usual best as he picked 3 wickets to assure PBKS of this victory!

📷 BCCI • #ArshdeepSingh #PBKSvKKR #IPL #IPL2023 #TATAIPL #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/Dzoz9Lb890

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) April 1, 2023

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What a Great Spell By Arshdeep Singh @arshdeepsinghh 🔥@realpreityzinta

1st : W 0️⃣ 4️⃣ 0️⃣ 0️⃣ W
2nd : 0️⃣ 0️⃣ 0️⃣ 0️⃣ 1️⃣ 4️⃣
3rd : 1️⃣ 1️⃣ W 1️⃣ 1️⃣ 6️⃣#IPL2023 #IPLonJioCinema #PBKSvKKR #PBKSvsKKR pic.twitter.com/U8EMzgUifv

— Zain Rajpoot (@zain_rajpoot39) April 1, 2023