Sri Lankan star cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga showed why he deserved the big bucks paid for his services. He put the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a powerful position against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The 24-year-old spun a mesh the KKR batting line-up and didn’t allow them to build any speed in their innings, picking up sensational figures of 4/20 from his 4-overs. Harshal Patel also made a solid comeback after an undistinguished outing in the first game, picking up figures of 2/11.
After failing to defend a huge total of 206 in their opening game against the Punjab Kings(PK), the similarities of Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel have ensured that RCB needs just 129 runs to get their initial points of the season on the board. Here are some of the reactions from fans on Twitter:
What a spell by Wanindu Hasaranga – 4-0-20-4. One of the best spinner in T20 cricket currently.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 30, 2022
So I couldn't watch Wanindu Hasaranga's excellent IPL spell because my neighbourhood is in a long power cut.
The Rajapakses are so bad at their jobs they're making us all worse at ours.
— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) March 30, 2022
25 runs more than what RCB bowlers should have given away, but a vast improvement from that pounding against Punjab Kings.
Top stuff from Hasaranga, employing the short ball to get the top and middle order lads, seemed like the plan worked. #IPL2022 #RCBvKKR
— Prasen Moudgal (@Prasen_m4299) March 30, 2022
Hasaranga that is how you announce match is not done yet actually it has begun now.
— Sai (@akakrcb6) March 30, 2022
Faf called Hasaranga the world's best leg spinner at the toss.
Getting the support of his bowlers already I see.
— Manya (@CSKian716) March 27, 2022
Hasaranga running through KKR 👀👀
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) March 30, 2022
What a spell bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga: 4-0-20-4. – Incredible. pic.twitter.com/2jhvPIv33z
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) March 30, 2022
'LoL wHy hAvE yoU speNt SO mUcH on HaRsHaL and HaSaRaNgA?' 🤑 pic.twitter.com/3ctL5PnQ2A
— ᕵ™ (@Peak_Kohli) March 30, 2022
Common knowledge pic.twitter.com/fnadUSxnix
— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) March 30, 2022
Wanindu Hasaranga and Harshal Patel restrict KKR to 128
After winning the toss, Faf du Plessis had no uncertainty in bowling first as he knew that dew could perform a factor. Perhaps the KKR batters felt the pressure of having to score a mammoth total, given how simple the Punjab Kings chased down 206 on equal ground.
Right from the beginning, the KKR batters looked scratchy and kept losing wickets usually. Wanindu Hasaranga came into the attack when KKR had previously lost 3-wickets, and he made life even more difficult for them.
Hasaranga first picked up the huge wicket of KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, which put the Knight Riders in real trouble. Sunil Narine started playing his shots, but Hasaranga stopped him in his tracks once again. The 24-year-old made it 2 from 2, cleaning up Sheldon Jackson on the initial delivery.
Andre Russell looked like KKR’s final hope, and the power-hitter performed his shots with freedom. Although, Harshal Patel came into the attack and picked up the massive wicket of Russell to push KKR further into trouble. Tim Southee tried to whack Hasaranga out of the park but could alone find Faf du Plessis at long-on.