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Credit: @ipl_2018_live
KXIP opener unleashes fury on Rashid Khan, powers team to dominant victory
The evergreen Chris Gayle turned back the clock on April 19, 2018, at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. In a performance that epitomised his "Universe Boss" persona, Gayle carved his way to a blistering 104* off just 63 deliveries, leading Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) to a convincing 15-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
This knock not only handed the Orange Army their first defeat of the season but also served as a timely reminder of Gayle's devastating power at the top of the order.
KXIP captain R. Ashwin, defying conventional wisdom, opted to bat first. This decision raised eyebrows, with many questioning his strategy against a formidable Sunrisers bowling attack. The early stages of the innings justified these concerns. Gayle and his opening partner, KL Rahul, adopted a cautious approach against the swing and guile of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Chris Jordan. Runs came at a premium, with the duo managing a mere 12 runs in the first three overs.
Credit: @weRcricket
It was Gayles’s fifth century in IPL
However, the tide began to turn in the fourth over. Gayle, as if flicking a switch, unleashed his trademark aggression. Boundaries flowed freely, with three leg-side sixes dispatched in quick succession off Jordan and Rashid Khan. A dropped catch on 14 by Wriddhiman Saha only served to fuel the fire. Rahul, at the other end, couldn't quite match his partner's brilliance, falling victim to a Rashid skidder after a brief stay at the crease.
With two wickets down, the onus fell squarely on Gayle's shoulders. He responded magnificently, bringing up his fifty off 39 balls. But this was just the beginning of the carnage to come. Gayle entered a zone of pure dominance, becoming only the second batsman after AB de Villiers to smash Rashid Khan for four consecutive sixes in a single over.
The highlight of the over was undoubtedly his audacious second run off the last ball, a moment he capped off with a wry smile, leaving the world to marvel at his audacity.
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Outstanding inning played by Gayle!
With their premier spinner leaking runs like a sieve, the Sunrisers were left scrambling for answers. His second fifty came off a mere 19 balls, a testament to his sheer brutality. He reached his century with a trademark six, the 11th of his innings, before dedicating the knock to his daughter. By the end of the innings, Gayle had single-handedly propelled KXIP to a commanding total of 193/3 (Gayle 104*, Nair 31).
The Sunrisers' chase began on a disastrous note. A blow to the elbow forced Shikhar Dhawan to retire hurt in the first over, never to return. Mohit Sharma then dealt a double blow, dismissing Wriddhiman Saha and Yusuf Pathan in quick succession. With their top order in disarray, the onus fell on skipper Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey to salvage the innings.
The duo stitched together a decent partnership, adding 76 runs for the third wicket. However, the required run rate continued to climb, and the pressure began to build. Mujeeb Zadran's mystery spin, Andrew Tye's deceptive knuckle balls, and the vast boundaries of the Mohali ground further hampered their progress.
Williamson's departure in the 15th over effectively ended the Sunrisers' hopes. Their middle order lacked the firepower to chase down such a daunting target, and they eventually fell short by 15 runs (178 for 4 Pandey 57*, Williamson 54, Tye 2-23).
