Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) engaged in a playful banter on social media, poking fun at pacer Avesh Khan for his batting performance in the IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Avesh, who is known for his bowling prowess, remained unbeaten on zero as Jos Buttler single-handedly guided RR to a thrilling victory. Chasing 224 for victory, RR found themselves in a precarious position at 121-6 in the 13th over. However, Buttler’s unbeaten 107 off just 60 balls propelled RR to achieve the target on the final ball.
While the cricket fraternity lauded Buttler for his match-winning knock, RR took the opportunity to have some fun with Avesh, labeling him a “finisher.”
“Finisher saahab,” RR tweeted, along with a picture of Avesh.
LSG, Avesh’s former franchise, joined in the banter, reminding fans about his scoreless cameo for them during an IPL 2024 game against RCB last year.
“2023: 0*(1)\n2024: 0*(0)\nAvesh the Finisher,” LSG tweeted.
Meanwhile, RR’s victory over KKR marked the joint-biggest successful chase in IPL history. The Sanju Samson-led side emulated their own record from IPL 2020 when they chased down 224 against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in Sharjah.
Buttler, who missed the last game due to injury, made a remarkable return, scoring his second century of the season in 55 balls.
“Keep believing, that was the real key today. I was struggling a bit for rhythm. At times you feel frustrated or you are questioning yourself. I tell myself ‘It’s okay, keep going, you’ll get your rhythm back and try to stay calm’. There’s been plenty of times throughout the IPL, you’ve seen crazy things happen. Guys like (M.S.) Dhoni and (Virat) Kohli, the way they stay till the end and keep believing and I tried to do the same,” Buttler said after the match.
Buttler now sits second in the all-time list of centurions in IPL, with RCB icon Virat Kohli (8) only one ton ahead of him.
