Yesterday’s encounter between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders was a roller-coaster one. Rajsthan batters gave a good start. Jos Buttler smashed his second 100 for the season so far. With the contributions of Devdutt, Sanju, and Hetmyer, Rajsthan posed a target of 218 for KKR. Kolkata was batting well. However, excellent bowling by Chahal is what defeated KKR. Yuzi picked 4 wickets in the 17th over including a hat-trick. Chahal celebrated the hat-trick by recreating a 2019 viral meme.
Chahal was dominated by Aaron finch in his first over. But how the turn of events took place that the same leg-spinner who was smashed 17 runs in the first over went on to take a 5-wicket haul. It was only in his third over that Chahal got his first wicket. However, his fourth over was one of the best overs to be bowled this season so far.
On the very first delivery, Yuzi dismissed Venkatesh Iyer. After a dot, a single, and a wide, Chahal tricked KKR Skipper Shreyas into a wicket. Shivam Mavi followed Iyer to the pavilion. As Chahal was on his hat-trick ball, everyone was hoping for a hattrick. Talking about it Yuzi told he just wanted it to be a dot ball rather than taking chances. However, Pat Cummins hit the ball which landed in Sanju Samson’s gloves. This was Yuzvendra’s first IPL five-for. In addition, this is his career’s first hat-trick.
Watch: Chahal celebrated hat-trick with famous meme pose
Back in the 2019 World Cup, a meme where Chahal was seen ‘chilling’ went viral. Moreover, he had glasses on, which made it look more swag. Chahal was just casually sitting along the boundary rope. Since then this is one of the most popular cricket memes. In addition, Chahal had promised he’ll celebrate his next 5-wicket haul with this meme. And so he did.
“It’s like an old meme. In the 2019 World Cup, I was on the boundary. I didn’t play that match, that meme became very popular.”
Yuzi on his meme celebration
“It is very special for me. I have decided whenever I do 5 wickets or something, I’d do it.”
Yuzvendra Chahal
Although Chahal got the game a little more on RR’s side, the game was not one-sided still. 11 runs were needed in the last over with Sheldon Jackson and Umesh Yadav batting. Umesh has hit 3 boundaries already. However, debutant Obed McCoy managed to dismiss both the batters in the last over. As a result, Rajasthan Royals won the match by 7 runs.
