'Congratulations RCB': Fans troll IPL team after Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell and Liam Livingstone fall cheaply vs India
Among the eight overseas players picked by RCB, three were from England - all who featured in the opening T20I game of the five-match series on Wednesday but collectively managed to score just seven runs.
As an Indian fan, the 1st T20I between India and England was pure happiness, with the hosts winning by 7 wickets and 43 balls to spare at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. However, it seems that being a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fan was not a moment of joy, as the realisation struck that their three newest recruits！Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, and Liam Livingstone！were all dismissed cheaply in the opening game.
? ?????????? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???????! ? ?#TeamIndia off to a flying start in the T20I series, sealing a 7?-wicket win! ? ?
！ BCCI (@BCCI) January 22, 2025
Follow The Match ?? https://t.co/4jwTIC5zzs#INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/hoUcLWCEIP
During the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction held last November in Jeddah, RCB had picked 18 players while also retaining one player using the Right to Match card. Among them, eight were overseas players, including three from England. All three English players featured in the opening T20I of the five-match series on Wednesday but collectively managed to score just seven runs.
RCB's pick fell cheaply
England opener Phil Salt, signed for INR 11.50 crore, was dismissed for a three-ball duck by Arshdeep Singh in the first over. Liam Livingstone, acquired for INR 8.75 crore at the auction, also fell for a duck, bowled by Varun Chakravarthy. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell, who many regarded as the next big thing and was signed for INR 2.6 crore during the auction, struggled against the spinners and was later cleaned up by Hardik Pandya for 7 off 14 balls.
Fans trolled RCB
It didn't take long for fans on the internet to troll the franchise, with many even congratulating them for the upcoming season of the IPL. Many on X (formerly known as Twitter) were quick to create memes, which soon went viral.
One wrote, "New RCB batters in this match-Runs- 0+0+7, Strike Rate- 50, Bought by RCB but showing tribute to Thala"
New RCB batters in this match-
！ Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) January 22, 2025
Runs- 0+0+7
Strike Rate- 50
Bought by RCB but showing tribute to Thala ? pic.twitter.com/kPbyUkMpSm
Another said, "RCB bloods at Eden garden, Iconic!"
RCB bloods at Eden garden, Iconic!? pic.twitter.com/pQwc4lrpoM
！ Hustler (@HustlerCSK) January 22, 2025
One even said, "Let's all laugh at rcb"
Salt 0
！ ??? ?????? (@jod_insane) January 22, 2025
Liam Livingstone 0
Jacob Bethel 7(14)
Let's all laugh at rcb ????????????????? pic.twitter.com/P0svZpptDK
Philip Salt - 0(3)
！ Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) January 22, 2025
Livingstone - 0(2)
Jacob Bethell - 7(14)
Situation of RCB Fans rn ?pic.twitter.com/2pXW4syR9T
RCB fans watching #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/hjL8UpTiz4
！ Rajabets ??? (@rajabetsindia) January 22, 2025
India fold England for 132
The Men in Blue had won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision to field three spinners on the Eden Gardens track, traditionally known to favor fast bowlers had left experts surprised. Many even spoke about why India chose to bench Mohammed Shami, which sparked fitness concerns just a month ahead of the Champions Trophy.
However, the spinners proved their worth as India bowled England out for 132 runs in 20 overs. The trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi shared five wickets among them, maintaining an economy rate of less than a run per ball. Meanwhile, the pacers chipped in with four wickets but conceded runs at nearly eight per over.
Varun Chakaravarthy scalped 3? wickets & bagged the Player of the Match Award! ? ?
！ BCCI (@BCCI) January 22, 2025
Scorecard ?? https://t.co/4jwTIC5zzs#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/QqqC6Sz1e1
England captain Jos Buttler was the only man who stood tall with a valiant 68 off 44 balls, including eight boundaries and two sixes. However, the he did not recieve support from the other end.
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Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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