Before the IPL final was to begin, former cricketer Akash Chopra tweeted: "They say batting wins you games, bowling wins you tournaments…will it happen again?”
Sadly it was the bowling which won, and RCB fans were a disappointed lot. Royal Challengers Bangalore lost to the Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight runs on their home turf in a tense IPL final. The last five overs of the match, the best in the tournament, won the match for the Sunrisers.
The match took place at M Chinnaswamy stadium and while RCB were slight favorites, Kohli and Co. could not make the cut. This marks the third time in nine years that RCB made it to the finals but failed to lift the title.
Twitter exploded with mixed reactions after more than 400 runs were scored in a nerve wracking IPL final.
Some found it difficult to choose sides between the two teams.
You can't get a better final than this Virat Vs Warner Two best captains who have been leading their teams #CantWait #RCBvsSRH
— VIRAT KOHLI THE BEST (@dileep__rockzz) May 27, 2016
So now it comes down to a war between 2 captains who have lead their team and various record tables extraordinarily. #RCBvsSRH #IPLfinal
— Shreyash Mishra (@Mr_ShreyashM) May 27, 2016
It's Beer and Biryani final on Sunday ! #GLvSRH --> #RCBvsSRH
— Tyrantasorus (@tyrantasorus) May 27, 2016
Many congratulated SRH for their victory but were disappointed that RCB skipper Kohli could not bring home the trophy.
My heart and mind is with RCB for many reasons. But I tip my hat to SRH for deciding to bat first and putting up a great score #IPLfinal
— Raj Nayak (@rajcheerfull) May 29, 2016
Superb fightback by SunRisers Hyderabad. @imVkohli and RCB deserved to win this, but crucial moments were lost. #RCBvsSRH, #IPL2016
— Rajkrishnan Menon (@RajkrisMenon) May 29, 2016
Heavily crushing on Ben Cutting right now although my heart is bleeding for Virat Kohli. I don't know whom to root for. #RCBvsSRH
— #HoldTheDoor (@BehudaAurat) May 29, 2016
David Warner doing to RCB what Virat Kohli & AB do to other teams!#RCBvsSRH #IPLfinal
— Rashi Kakkar (@rashi_kakkar) May 29, 2016
Actor Varun Dhawan even congratulated Kohli for being gracious even in the face of the hard loss.
Well played @RCBTweets and congratulations @SunRisers. India's top batsmen today @imVkohli loved the fact that he had a smile on his face .
— Varun Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) May 29, 2016
Vinod Kambli congratulated SRH on their well-deserved victory.
#IPL 2016 FINAL #RCBVSRH.congrats to SRH.well played.u were underdogs in the tournament. Now enjoy ur Biryani n the Sun will rise till 2017
— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) May 29, 2016
And then of course, there were jokes and trolls galore.
Virat: Man, you are the best.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) May 29, 2016
ABdv: Aww, No you are the best.
Virat: huhu, No youuu
Abdv: Youuuuu
*Meanwhile, Chris gayle hits 4 sixes*
Today's RCB batting entertainment brought to you by. pic.twitter.com/l4hynXbTMZ
— greatbong (@greatbong) May 29, 2016
Seems like someone told the #RCB batsmen that the winner will get a Vivo mobile phone..#RCBvSRH #VIVOIPL #IPLfinal
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) May 29, 2016