A bolt from the blue by KL Rahul has kept Punjab Kings’ hopes alive for qualifying for the 2021 VIVO Indian Premier League playoffs. The 29-year-old scored a blistering 98* as PBKS brushed aside Chennai Super Kings in their final group game of the competition.

The win has temporarily lifted Punjab Kings to fifth position in the points table, and if Kolkata Knight Riders are to lose today, they could end the day in the top four. The 2014 finalists will then need Sunrisers Hyderabad to beat Mumbai Indians to help them end the group stages in that fourth place.

KL Rahul scored 98* off just 42 balls, as Punjab Kings chased down the target with seven overs to spare on Thursday afternoon. The 29-year-old smashed seven fours and eight sixes in his innings, leaving the cricketing world in splits with that spellbinding performance.

“The plan was simple. The numbers guys pulled up a few permutations and combinations. They said if we chase this before 14 overs it gives us the best chance. So the plan was clear and I had the licence to go from ball 1,” said Rahul in the post match interview.

Playing some exquisite cricketing shots that made all stop and take notice, Rahul’s knock earned acclaim from some of the biggest names in the cricketing fraternity. Many revered cricket personalities took to Twitter to show their praise for that pristine knock from the Punjab Kings skipper.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to KL Rahul’s blistering knock.