Credit: @SharadBodage
Amla's majestic ton trumped; Mumbai Indians chase down record target in Indore thriller
The 20th of April, 2017, was a night etched in the memory of every IPL fan who witnessed a spectacle of contrasting emotions. At the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) batsman Hashim Amla displayed a masterclass in controlled aggression, carving his way to a magnificent 104* off just 60 balls.
However, his valiant knock was ultimately overshadowed by a dominant batting display from the Mumbai Indians chase, who reached the target of 199 with eight wickets and 27 balls to spare.
The Indore pitch was a dream come true for batsmen. Far from the typical turning tracks often seen in T20 cricket, this surface offered even bounce and minimal assistance for spinners. The small boundaries of the Holkar Stadium further amplified the advantage for the batsmen, turning even mishits into potential sixes.
The contrasting styles of the opening partnerships set the tone for the night. Kings XI Punjab opted for the aesthetically pleasing combination of Shaun Marsh and Hashim Amla. Their innings was a textbook display of batting, with Marsh stroking his way to a fluent 26 (18 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) before holing out. Amla, the epitome of elegance, took center stage, compiling a magnificent 104* (60 balls, 8 fours, 6 sixes) – the highest score by a Kings XI Punjab batsman in the 2017 IPL season.
Credit: @sportstarweb
Hashim Amla on his way to his ton
On the other hand, Mumbai Indians countered with the explosive duo of Jos Buttler and Parthiv Patel (37). Their approach was all about brute force, peppering their innings with boundaries and sixes. Buttler, in particular, was in devastating form, finding his rhythm with a whirlwind knock of 77 runs, laced with seven fours and five sixes.
Credit: @AstralPipes
Amla celebrating his ton
Amla's knock was a sight to behold. He remained unfazed by the aggressive approach of the Mumbai Indians openers and continued to anchor the Kings XI innings. He dealt particularly harshly with Lasith Malinga, Mumbai's pace spearhead, taking him for a whopping 51 runs, the second-most runs scored against a single bowler in IPL history.
However, the lack of support from the middle order meant Amla's brilliance remained in vain. Wriddhiman Saha's dismissal, while trying to accelerate the scoring rate, proved to be a turning point, as it exposed the lower middle order to the Mumbai Indians bowlers.
Mumbai Indians' chase was a masterclass in calculated aggression. Their openers, Parthiv and Buttler, laid a solid foundation with a quickfire partnership of 82 runs in the powerplay. This set the stage for the middle order, with Nitish Rana taking center stage.
Credit: @newseleven_in
Rana took the match away from Punjab
Rana continued his impressive form with an unbeaten 62, peppered with a staggering seven maximums. By the 15th over, the required run rate had plummeted to a manageable 1.6, effectively sealing the victory for Mumbai Indians.
Despite the heartbreak of seeing his team lose, Amla's knock remained a noteworthy feat. He registered his maiden T20 century, a knock that showcased his ability to adapt to the shortest format while retaining his classical elegance. For Mumbai Indians, the victory not only solidified their position at the top of the points table but also marked their highest successful chase in the IPL at that time.
Mumbai Indians 199 for 2 (Buttler 77, Rana 62*, Parthiv 37) beat Kings XI Punjab 198 for 4 (Amla 104*, Maxwell 40) by eight wickets.
