Mohali, Apr 19 (UNI) Enjoying an early life left-handed Chrish Gayle slammed a strokeful century, first of this season and sixth in the Indian Premier League at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium here on Thursday night. His fabulous unbeaten knock of 104 from 63 deliveries contained just one boundary but 11 soaring sixes against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 16th IPL match.
Gayle was specially in punishing mood by hitting Rashid Khan to four successive sixes in the 14th over of the innings. This over produced 27 runs.
After a slow start, Kings XI Punjab, batting first after winning the toss, Gayle bolstered his team to impressive total of 193 for 3. With opener Lokesh Rahul (18) Gayle produced 53 runs for the opening wicket stand. Sunrisers Hyderabad, playing their fourth match, with three successive wins, met their first success as Rashid Khan trapped leg before wicket in 7.5 overs.
Chris Gayle was also associated in rewarding 85-run stand with Karun Naia (31, 21 balls, 3x4s, 1x6). Nair's wicket (caught by Dhawan, bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar) at 168 in 17.4 overs. Finch and Gayle continued as Kings XI consumed their allotted 20 overs. Finch was not out on 14.
Earlier left handed Chris Gayle and right hander Lokesh opened the Kings XI Punjab innings. It was a slow start as the first two overs yielded only six runs. In the third over, Lokesh was adjudged left before wicket to Bhuvneshwar Kumar by umpire Anil Chaudhary who reviewed his decision immediately and Rahul continued.
Chris Gayle pulled Jordan for a six over midwicket in the fourth over. Chris followed it with a four at coverpoint in the fourth delivery of Jordan. Kings XI Punjab secured 12 runs from the fourth over bringing their total of 25 without any loss.
Chris Gayle enjoued a life as he was floored by wicketkeer Wriddhiman Shah of the first delivery of leg break bowler Rashid Khan in the fifth over. Gayle recomposed himself and lofted Rashid over midwicket for six of the second ball of Rashid. Rashid again faced the wrath of Gayle who lofted the fifth delivery over long-on. Kings XI Punjab got 13 runs from this over to take their total to 38 without loss after five overs.
Local lad medium pacer Siddarth Kaul was introduced and he conceded 11 runs in his first over. Kings XI made no change in their team while Sunrisers included Billy Stanlake in plac e of Chris Jordan.
Scoreboard
Kings XI Punjab:
Lokesh Rahul lbw Rashid Khan 18
Chris Gayle not out 104
Mayank Agarwal c Deepak Hooda b Siddharh Kaul 18
Karun Nair c Dhawan b Bhuveneshwar Kumar 31
Aaron Finch not out 14.
Extras (lb 8, w 3) 11
Total (for three wickets ) 193
Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-83, 168
Bowling
Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-25-1
Chris Jordan 4-0-31-0
Rashid Khan 4-0-35-1
Siddarth Kaul 4-0-33-1
Deepak Hood 2-0-16-0
Shakib Al Hasan 2-0-28-0
UNI XC SHK 2239