'Ball be like maaro humko, zinda mat chhodo': Wasim Jaffer, fans react to carnage in Abu Dhabi

Sharjah is not what it was last year, Dubai has a two-paced surface, Abu Dhabi has big boundaries but the surface remains true and the true surface finally lit up the second half of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 as over 375 runs were scored in Match No 47 between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.

It was Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) turn first, even though the openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf Du Plessis were sedate at the start but once the powerplay was done, the former especially started to show his colours.

Gaikwad got his first 50 runs off 43 balls and the next fifty off just 17 balls in one of the best accelerations in a T20 game. Gaikwad was helped by Ravindra Jadeja, who has carved a niche for himself as the finisher for the side. After hitting a couple of fours, Jadeja was severe on Mustafizur Rahman hitting two fours and a six off the final over of the innings bowled by the left-armer and Gaikwad topped it off with a six off the final delivery.

Gaikwad and Jadeja stitched an unbeaten stand of 55 runs off just 22 balls as from what looked like a possible 160-run score, CSK posted a total of 189 runs.

INNINGS BREAK!

A sensational hundred for @Ruutu1331 
A *-run blitz from @imjadeja 
Cameos from @faf1307 & Moeen Ali 

3/39 for @rahultewatia02

The #RR chase will commence soon. #VIVOIPL #RRvCSK @ChennaiIPL

Scorecard https://t.co/jo6AKQBhuK pic.twitter.com/MGtYCcJkGZ

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 2, 2021

However, it was just a trailer as Rajasthan Royals batters came out all guns blazing. RR openers broke the back of the chase in the first five overs as they were 75/0 in first five overs.

The party started in the first over itself of Sam Curran but the main course came in the second over in which Yashasvi Jaiswal went after Aussie quick Josh Hazlewood. Jaiswal hit three fours in the second over of the innings and RR were up and running. Evin Lewis, on the other hand, hit a four and a six off Sam Curran and the same in Shardul Thakur's over.

However, Jaiswal wasn't leaving Hazlewood on the day. A pull-shot over square leg, a six over the deep mid-wicket, a four and another six and Jaiswal brought up his maiden IPL fifty in just 19 balls.

ICYMI: @yashasvi_j's stroke-filled opening act! 

The @rajasthanroyals opener set the stage on fire  & scored a sensational half-century in the chase.  #VIVOIPL #RRvCSK

Watch it here https://t.co/Jg2Vk2ZYwE

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 2, 2021

Both Jaiswal and Lewis went soon after, but Shivam Dube picked up from where the two lefties left off as the RR left-handers as he started smashing sixes, got able support from skipper Sanju Samson as the former remained unbeaten on 64 off 42 hitting four fours and as many sixes.

RR chased the total down in just 17.3 overs and kept their qualification hopes alive.

While many felt bad for the ball, some felt bad for the umpires while many came up with hilarious reactions to the carnage at Abu Dhabi. Here are some of the reactions:

#CSKvsRR#RRvCSK#IPL2021

Ball in today's match:- pic.twitter.com/A5tzAsuAZK

— Piyush Choudhury (@piyushSRKian) October 2, 2021

#RRvCSK #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/yAez9XhVxz

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 2, 2021

Shivam Dube on a six hitting spree!! First Rutu, then Lewis, the Jaiswal and now Dubey!

— Nikhil Bapat (@BapatNikhil) October 2, 2021

#CSK even making Shivam Dube look like ABD

Better all 11 CSK players retire immediately #IPL2021 #RRvCSK

— Pravi (@P_R_A_Ve_e_n) October 2, 2021

Wtf abhi 10 over mai toh 122 tha aur 12 over mai 141 ,am I dreaming or what #RRvCSK

— SuperV (@SuperV72828966) October 2, 2021

What have @rajasthanroyals eaten overnight?! Crazy performance. Even Dube going bonkers! 
Finally a run fest in the 2nd leg.#IPL2021 #RRvCSK

— Varun Kaushik (@varunkaushik18) October 2, 2021

Umpires in today's #RRvCSK match
pic.twitter.com/mKUAmenObM

— SURBHI SHARMA (@Imsurbhis) October 2, 2021

Dubey Ji woke up and chose violence #RRvCSK

— Sagar (@Sagarwagh2002) October 2, 2021

Rajasthan Royals after reaching 10 points pic.twitter.com/KhzlboosHl

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) October 2, 2021

#RRvCSK , RR rn pic.twitter.com/jGwkWYe7Hy

— मनमौजी (@Haryanvi07) October 2, 2021