'MI ko ek aur de Villiers mil gaya' - Fans react as Ryan Rickelton leads MI Cape Town to a dominating victory over Paarl Royal

In a thrilling SA20 Season 2 encounter, MI Cape Town showcased a stellar performance, claiming an impressive eight-wicket victory over Paarl Royals at Newlands in Cape Town on January 19. This win marked MI's second triumph in the ongoing tournament, where they have played four games so far.

Chasing a target of 173 runs set by the Paarl Royals, MI Cape Town exhibited dominance right from the start of their second inning. Openers Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton initiated a strong charge, establishing an impressive 80-run partnership for the opening wicket. Although van der Dussen departed after scoring 41 runs, Rickelton held firm, steering the team to victory with 19 balls to spare.

Rickelton's exceptional unbeaten innings of 94 runs from 52 deliveries, featuring seven boundaries and six maximums, earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. Meanwhile, Tabraiz Shamsi managed to secure his second wicket by dismissing Dewald Brevis for 10.

Kagiso Rabada shines in the 1st inning for MI Cape Town

Earlier, in the first inning, the Paarl Royals posted a competitive total of 172 runs after being asked to bat. The Royals began strongly, with Jason Roy and Jos Buttler contributing 62 runs in just 4.3 overs. However, MI's Kagiso Rabada intervened with a full-length delivery, leading to an impressive catch by van der Dussen that dismissed Roy for a quick 38 runs, including one four and five sixes.

Despite Buttler's attempt to stabilize the innings, he too was eventually dismissed for 46. The middle-order batters faced challenges against MI's formidable bowling attack, with Thomas Kaber emerging as a key player, securing a three-wicket haul while conceding only 20 runs. Alongside Rabada, Olly Stone, George Linde, and Sam Curran each contributed a wicket.

MI Cape Town's well-rounded performance secured a convincing victory, marking a significant moment in the ongoing SA20 2024 tournament and handing Paarl Royals their first defeat in the competition.

Here is how fans react to MI Cape Town's victory:

He has Similar type of batting style of Quinton De Kock

Like Quinton de Kock was Batting extremely well in ODI world Cup🏆

Now in SA20 League Ryan Rickelton doing very good👍 batting

— Ajay Gautam (@gautam_ajay007) January 19, 2024

Has performed better than Brevis lately.

— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) January 19, 2024

Ryan Rickleton
87 (51) 6×6s , 6×4s
98(49) 8×6s , 6×4s
58(33) 5×6s , 3×4s
94*(52) 6×6s , 7×4s

What a opener MI Cape Town find .
4th half century in a row.

337 runs in 185 balls with 112 Average and SR 182.

25 sixes and 22 fours in 185 balls.#MICapeTown #SAT20

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) January 19, 2024

Who is Ryan rickelton?

— Gurmeet Singh (@VK18THEGOAT) January 19, 2024

With scores like that, it's clear that Rickelton has been an absolute force to be reckoned with in the SA20. His strike rate is off the charts, and he seems to be scoring runs for fun.

— Sonam Murarkar (@murarkar_sonam) January 19, 2024

it will be interesting to see if Rickelton can keep up this level of performance throughout the rest of the SA20 season, and whether he can continue to dominate the league with his explosive batting.

— Sonam Murarkar (@murarkar_sonam) January 19, 2024

Ohh Rickel-ton have missed so many Tons in this league 🤗🤗

— Anish Verma (@anishverma1985) January 20, 2024

Domination of MI🔥

— Mumbai Indians FC (@MIPaltanFamily) January 19, 2024

South Africa found Quinton de Kock in the shape of Ryan Rickelton because he plays the same as De Kick.

— Shumaila Tanveer (@shumaila56_) January 20, 2024

Surprised he didn't have any contract in IPL.

— Sri (@Srikantht998) January 20, 2024