"Warra comeback" - Fans erupt as Navdeep Saini takes three wickets against PBKS in a must-win game for RR
Navdeep Saini starred with the ball in a must-win IPL 2023 game for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) versus the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Friday, May 19.
The speedster emerged as the pick of the bowlers for the Royals, returning with 3/40 as they restricted PBKS to 187/5 in their allotted 20 overs after opting to bowl.
Saini first dismissed Atharva Taide and then took the big wicket of the in-form Liam Livingstone. He also dismissed the dangerous-looking Jitesh Sharma, who smashed 44 off just 28 balls.
Mood https://t.co/M3FEXZXyZH
It was only the second game for Saini in IPL 2023, having played his first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 2. He gave away 34 runs in his two overs in that contest and was subsequently dropped from the XI.
Fans on Twitter hailed Saini for his excellent comeback in a crucial tie for RR in the race to the IPL 2023 playoffs.
One user tweeted:
"Warra comeback Navdeep Saini, you legendary beauty."
Warra Comeback Navdeep Saini, You Legendary Beauty. #PBKSvRR
Here are some of the other best Twitter reactions:
Navdeep saini today ๐ซฃ https://t.co/dJGFf8O72B
Navdeep Saini https://t.co/enZxpWmG4W
Navdeep Saini is back and how๐ฅต
The biggest low of this season is giving wickets to Navdeep Saini
Navdeep Saini For Speed ( N.F.S )
Navdeep Saini, living up to his legendary standards.
Talk about consistency!
As I write this, he gets Jitesh lol
@Im__Arfan Show some respect brother .
Navdeep Saini is our Martin Scorsese of cricket .
No one knows cricket better than him
Navdeep Saini - a comeback in this season with three wickets!!
@rajasthanroyals #PBKSvRR
So happy for @navdeepsaini96
The the speedster is back.
Must thank @rajasthanroyals for sticking with him.
#NavdeepSaini #IPL2023 #IPLPlayOffs #PBKSvRR
โ
@rajasthanroyals Navdeep Saini, you beauty. โค๏ธโ๐ฅ
POV : Navdeep Saini aganist PBKS https://t.co/RN23fgbsR2
For the uninitiated, Saini was retained by RR for Rs 2.6 crore after he returned with three wickets in two games during the IPL 2022 campaign.
Navdeep Sainiโs three wickets helped RR restrict PBKS to 187/5
Clinical bowling from Navdeep Saini helped the Rajasthan Royals restrict the Punjab Kings to 187/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Besides Saini, Trent Boult and Adam Zampa also returned with one apiece.
For PBKS, Jitesh Sharma scored 44 off 28 balls at a strike rate of 157.14, including three sixes and as many boundaries. Shahrukh Khan also slammed 41 off 23 deliveries at a strike rate of 178.26, including two sixes and four boundaries.
Sam Curran top scored with an unbeaten 49, featuring four fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, Atharva Taide and Shikhar Dhawan chipped in with 19 and 17, respectively.
188 to stay alive!
Now, the onus will be on Rajasthan's batters to chase 188 and keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament.
Follow PBKS vs RR live score updates here.