Chris Gayle scored 99 to lift Kings XI Punjab to 185/4 against Rajasthan Royals. KL Rahul was dismissed for 46 off the bowling off Ben Stokes. Gayle reached his half-century off 28 balls as he and Rahul batted splendidly to put on 120 runs for KXIP second wicket. They had ended the Powerplay at 53/1. Gayle and Rahul went on a boundary-hitting spree ever since KXIP were dealt an early blow with Jofra Archer striking in his first over to dismiss opening batsman Mandeep Singh.
Steve Smith has won the toss and has decided that Rajasthan Royals will bowl against Kings XI Punjab in match number 50 of the 2020 Indian Premier League. KXIP is unchanged from its previous game, while RR has made a change in their XI, giving pace bowler Varun Aaron a chance. Kings XI Punjab has been a different side to what it started.
After losing six games in a row, KXIP returned strong to win the next five and offered themselves a chance to make it to the playoffs. But as inspiring as KXIP, the same cannot be said of Rajasthan Royals. Steve Smith's side is ranked lower, ranked 7th in the points table and officially away from being knocked out. On Thursday, the Chennai Super Kings were already scrapped, the party for the Kolkata Knight Riders spoiled and RR are expected to do the same with KXIP on Friday.
Chris Gayle 99 was the biggest contribution in the Punjab innings. KL Rahul (46) and Gayle added a 120-run partnership to set the tone for the innings, before Nicholas Pooran contributed some big shots towards the end of the innings. For the Royals, the good news is their premier all-rounder Ben Stokes finding form just at the right time. The England cricketer who has been promoted to open the Royals’ innings scored a match-winning ton against Mumbai Indians.
Archer to bowl the last over. Gayle smashes! Six. He moves to 99. Next ball is a yorker. The ball sneaks through. Gayle is bowled. For 99. Gayle smashes his bat in disappointment. The bat almost goes for a six. Gayle then shakes Archer's hand. What a moment in the game! Gayle is out 1 short of a century! Hooda comes in at 6 and gets a single. Maxwell cannot score off the last ball. KXIP 185/4 after 20
1000th Sixth for Gayle in T20
Now he has a record to be proud of. Gayle scored the 8th six of his innings and also made his 1000th six in T20 cricket. No debate there. Chris Gayle is the greatest T20 player ever. Period.
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