CSK VS RR IN CHENNAI AT 6.30PM
KXIP beat SRH by 15 runs
West Indian Chris Gayle smashed a whirlwind century to help Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) set up a 15-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an IPL match on Thursday.
Gayle struck a 63-ball 104, laced with 11 sixes and a boundary to set the jam-packed stadium on fire as Punjab posted a huge total of 193/3 and restricted SRH to 178/4.
Chasing a huge total, SRH got off to a faltering start. They lost the first wicket with just 14 runs on the board when Mohit Sharma rattled the stumps of Wriddhiman Saha (6). To add to SRH woes, opener Shikhar Dhawan was retired hurt for naught.
However, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson led from the front and added 20 runs with hard-hitting batsman Yousuf Pathan.
The duo seemed to be cruising along well before Mohit struck again to get rid of the danger man. Mohit uprooted the stumps of Yousuf after the latter had scored 19 off 13 balls with the help of three boundaries.
SRH needed a big partnership to pull them out of rot. Skipper Williamson knuckled down in the process of rebuilding the innings and added a vital 76 runs for the third wicket with Manish Pandey.
They kept the Punjab bowlers at bay and but consumed almost 10 overs, adding only 76 runs that took the ever climbing run rate out of the reach of SRH. Williamson smashed three fours and two sixes in his 41-ball 54. After the departure of Williamson, it was left to Pandey to take SRH over the line.
DJ Hooda, who came to bat after Williamson, could not last longer was caught for 5 by Tiwary off the bowling of Tye. Bangladesh captain Shakin Al Hasan and Pandey brought the equation down to 54 needed off last three overs. Both Pandey and Shakib failed spur the run rate SRH could mange to muster only 178/4.
Earlier, opting to bat, Punjab started on a cautious note as openers Lokesh Rahul (18) and Gayle stitched a 53-run partnership for the opening wicket.
Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan drew first blood for Hyderabad, dismissing Rahul in the eighth over. Medium pacer Siddarth Kaul provided another jolt to the hosts, packing back incoming batsman Mayank Agarwal (18) in the 11th over.
Gayle was then joined by Karun Nair (31 off 21 balls; 4x3, 6x1) and the duo shared a 85-run partnership for the third wicket, taking Punjab past the 150-run mark.
By then, Gayle had brought up his sixth IPL ton in just 58 deliveries, with a squeezy drive to point off Kaul and thereafter unleashing his trademark ‘Baby in the arms’ celebration.
Pacer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar got rid-off Nair in the 18th over but Gayle continued to hamnmer every Hyderabad bowler.
Australian Aaron Finch’s 14 not out off 6 balls in the final moments propelled Punjab to a massive total even as Gayle remained a spectator at the other end.
For Hyderabad, Bhuvneshwar, Rashid and Kaul bagged one wicket apiece.