GT vs RR IPL 2022 Qualifier 1: Ravichandran Ashwin delivery clocked at 131kph, fans say ‘kahin Shoaib Akhtar ka record na tod de’

Fans even said that a 150 kph delivery from Ravichandran Ashwin could be loading soon considering the way he is evolving and even Shoaib Akhtar’s fastest ball record could be in danger.

Rajasthan Royals off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reacts during the IPL 2022 Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans. (Photo: BCCI/IPL)

Rajasthan Royals ended up on the losing end in the IPL 2022 Qualifier 1 after going down by seven wickets to Gujarat Titans at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday (May 24). But there were plenty of moments for the Royals fans to smile about, especially with the speed gun going wrong during a Ravichandran Ashwin over.

The mess up left fans watching the match on TV stunned as many started to wonder how the off-spinner’s delivery clocked such a speed. Some fans even said that a 150 kph delivery from Ashwin could be loading soon considering the way he is evolving and even Shoaib Akhtar’s fastest ball record could be in danger.

Here are some of the reactions from the fans…

Kahi Shoaib Akhtar ka record aswin hi na tod de — CHATRA RAM PARMAR (@chatra_parmar) May 24, 2022

He wants to win Swiggy Instamart Fastest Delivery — adi (@Aditya17Jha) May 24, 2022

Ashwin has experimented with his action and release point so much that he has become a medium pacer — Harish (@Harish82601906) May 24, 2022

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson was happy with the total that they got but felt that the Eden Gardens strip became better for batting in the second half of the match. “Felt good to put up that kind of total as I felt the wicket was a bit sticky and there was lot of swing in the powerplay. I think we managed to put in a good score, but I think they played really well to chase the score down,” Samson said after the game.

“It was a bit two-paced and bounce was also not even, I just went after the bowling from ball one and I got a bit lucky to get a few runs in the powerplay, but wicket was a bit tough to bat on and we finished off really well. Scoring that kind of a total on this wicket in these conditions, against that bowling attack was a great performance by our batters. We have been doing really well, the five bowlers have been our main bowlers and they have done really well throughout the tournament.”

Samson defended his decision of not using a sixth bowler in Riyan Parag. “Having Riyan also helps, but felt it was a bit better to bat in the second innings as it came on nicely onto the bat. We have been playing some really good cricket throughout the tournament, couple of overs here and there, couple of extra runs, couple of off-rhythm by couple of our bowlers, we will try to come back and play some good cricket.

“In this format luck (the toss) plays a huge role, so it all comes down to what you want to do in your control. Hoping for a good result in the next game.”

(with PTI inputs)