Aussie cricket star Glenn Maxwell has unloaded on social media after his team Royal Challengers Bangalore was knocked out of the IPL.
Sunil Narine did the damage with bat and ball to help Kolkata Knight Riders to victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore and end Virat Kohli’s hopes of an Indian Premier League (IPL) title as captain.
Bangalore crashed out of the Twenty20 tournament after losing the eliminator by four wickets in Sharjah with Kohli bowing out as leader of the franchise that has never won the IPL.
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The 32-year-old Kohli, who had announced at the start of the resumed IPL in the United Arab Emirates that he will step down as captain of the side this season, said he gave his “best”.
“I’ve tried my best to create a culture where youngsters could come and play expressive cricket,” said Kohli.
“All I can say is that I have given my best. I have given my 120 per cent to this franchise and will continue giving it as a player on the field.”
Kohli has hit 6283 runs in 207 IPL matches since he joined Bangalore in the inaugural edition in 2008 and led them to a runners-up finish in 2016.
“It’s a great time to regroup and restructure the franchise for the next three years,” said Kohli.
“I will definitely (play for RCB). For me loyalty matters and my commitment is with this franchise till the last day I play IPL.”
Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has enjoyed a stellar second half of the season for RCB, reaching 50 four times in his past six innings. He thanked fans for their support but unloaded on people sending the team abuse on social media.
“Great season by RCB, unfortunately we fell well short of where we should be,” Maxwell wrote. “Doesn’t take away from an amazing season!!
“Some of the garbage that has been flowing on social media is absolutely disgusting! We are human beings who are giving our best each and every day.
“Try being a decent person maybe instead of spreading abuse.
“Thank you to the REAL fans that shared love and appreciation for the players giving their all!
“Unfortunately there is some horrible people out there that make social media a horrible place to be.
“It is unacceptable!!!! Please don’t be like them!!!
“If you comment abuse on one of my teammates/friends on social media with negative/abusive rubbish, you will be blocked by everyone.
“What is the point of being a terrible person. There is no excuse!!!”
Narine returned figures of 4-21 as Kolkata kept Bangalore to 7-138 and then hit 26 off 15 balls in the team’s chase that was completed with two balls to spare.
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan hit the winning run with skipper Eoin Morgan at the other end as Kolkata booked a meeting with Delhi Capitals in the second qualifier on Wednesday.
Narine stood out with his off-spin as he struck in each of his four overs to send back Srikar Bharat (9), Kohli (39), AB de Villiers (11) and Maxwell (15).
Narine bowled Kohli, then South African veteran de Villiers and had the in-form Maxwell caught at short third man.
In reply, openers Shubman Gill (29) and Venkatesh Iyer (26) gave Kolkata a strong start, adding 41 before the first wicket fell in the sixth over.
The innings wobbled slightly before Narine, coming in at number five, hit three sixes off Dan Christian to ease the pressure. He was bowled by Mohammed Siraj who also sent back Dinesh Karthik in the same over but Morgan and Shakib kept their cool to take the two-time IPL champions home.
Kolkata have won five of their seven league games in the UAE leg to make the playoffs.
“The cricket we have played has surprised everybody,” said England’s white ball captain Morgan.
MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings have made the final on October 15 after they beat Delhi in the first playoff on Sunday.
With AFP
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