In a stunning turn of events, Royal Challengers Bangalore‘s hopes of securing a fourth successive playoffs qualification were shattered as Shubman Gill’s exceptional performance led the Gujarat Titans to a six-wicket victory in the final league game of IPL 2023. Gill’s back-to-back centuries dealt a heavy blow to RCB’s aspirations, leaving fans longing for a highly anticipated rematch between Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants in the playoffs. However, it was Lucknow who had the last laugh, taking a cheeky dig at RCB and Kohli with a clever reference to Gill’s outstanding display.
The clashes between RCB and LSG during the IPL 2023 season garnered significant attention, and it had little to do with cricket. In their first encounter, Gautam Gambhir, the coach of LSG, celebrated triumphantly and silenced the Chinnaswamy Stadium crowd after securing victory. Kohli retaliated in the subsequent match in Lucknow, engaging in a heated confrontation with Naveen-ul-Haq and Gambhir himself. These incidents fueled the desire among fans and veteran cricketers to witness a playoff showdown between the two teams.
While Lucknow Super Giants secured their place in the playoffs for the second consecutive time after defeating Kolkata Knight Riders, RCB failed to secure a victory against Gujarat Titans. The loss relegated RCB to a disappointing sixth-place finish in the IPL 2023 table, dashing their hopes of a playoff berth.
Following their win, Lucknow Super Giants took a dig at RCB’s captain, Virat Kohli, who is often referred to as the “King” by his adoring fans. With Shubman Gill being seen as Kohli’s heir-apparent, Lucknow cleverly hailed him as the “King” instead. Accompanied by a picture of Gill, the official LSG account tweeted, “Prince? He’s already a King” along with a crown emoticon, adding further salt to RCB’s wounds.
Here Is How Twitter Reacted:-
As the IPL 2023 playoffs shape up, Lucknow Super Giants will now face Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator match at the Chepauk on May 24. On the other hand, defending champions Gujarat Titans will take on four-time winners Chennai Super Kings in the Qualifier 1 match at the same venue on Tuesday.
Shubman Gill’s magnificent performances in back-to-back matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore denied them a coveted playoffs qualification in IPL 2023. The bitter rivalry between RCB and Lucknow Super Giants, fueled by intense on-field clashes and off-field banter, had fans eagerly awaiting a playoff showdown. However, RCB’s loss to Gujarat Titans, coupled with Lucknow’s timely victory, shattered these hopes. As the playoffs proceed, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the upcoming matches, while the banter between teams continues to add spice to the IPL 2023 season.