IPL 2019 MI vs KXIP: Rahul slams maiden ton as Punjab post 197/4

Rahul smashed his maiden IPL hundred while Chris Gayle struck a 36-ball 63 to power Kings XI Punjab to an imposing 197 for four against Mumbai Indians

KL Rahul’s maiden IPL century and Chris Gayle’s scintillating 63-run knock cruised Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) to a 197-run total in 20 overs against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday night. Rahul (100 not out off 64 balls) and Gayle (63 off 36 balls) joined hands for a 116-run opening wicket partnership to give the away side a blistering start. While Rahul hit six fours and six sixes, Gayle bludgeoned seven maximums and three sixes. Gayle was dismissed in the 13th over after which Kings XI slowed down a bit. But Rahul ensured they get to an above par score by smashing Hardik Pandya 6-4-6-6 in the first four deliveries of the 19th over and then hit Jasprit Bumrah for a four and six in the final over as 38 runs came in the last two overs. Rahul hit last match's hero Alzarri Joseph for a delectable six and a four in the seventh over to continue his good form with the bat as Mumbai bowlers looked rudderless without captain Rohit Sharma who could not play due to an injury.

KL Rahul's majestic maiden ton at Wankhede https://t.co/Dpd25qizgX

— Aakash Biswas (@aami_aakash) April 10, 2019

There was no stopping Gayle as he plundered a six and two fours off Pandya in the ninth over which cost the home team 17 runs as Kings XI raced to 93/0 at the halfway stage. Gayle then brought up his 26th fifty in the IPL off 31 balls by smacking Krunal Pandya for a six in the 11th over. Punjab badly needed to break the partnership and Behrendorff did it, coming back to remove Gayle. Trying to hit another six, Gayle holed out to Krunal Pandya at deep midwicket. David Miller (7) did not last long, caught behind by Quinton de Kock off Hardik Pandya as the scoring slowed down. Sam Curran (8) tried to be cheeky but Bumrah got the better off him as the England all-rounder scooped one to de Kock. But just when it looked like Mumbai had successfully reined in; Rahul went berserk in the last two overs.