During the fourth match of the ongoing season of the cash-rich, Indian Premier League (IPL) between the northern rivals Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the KXIP opener, Chris Gayle registered his 25th IPL half-century.
After winning the toss, the RR skipper, Ajinkya Rahane decided to bowl first and his bowlers responded well as Dhawan Kulkarni dismissed KXIP opener, KL Rahul in the first over itself leaving with Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle at the crease. During the toss, the KXIP skipper, R Ashwin revealed foreign players in the squad as Gayle, Mujeeb Zadran, Sam Curran and Nicholas Pooran. ng. On the other hand, RR decided to go with Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, and Jofra Archer.
Despite the rough start, Mayank and Gayle stabilized the innings as they amassed 56 runs for the second wicket. Gayle took his time before letting loose. The same was evident from the fact that KXIP had managed just 32 runs in the first six overs.
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After scoring 10 (14) in the first six overs, the self-proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’ started to attack when Rahane introduced Jaydev Unadkat into the attack in the eight over. Hitting a four and a six off Unadkat, Gayle gave the impression of getting his eye in.
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In what was the 12th over of the innings, Gayle smacked Unadkat for three fours and a six to bring up his half-century. By this time, the 39-year old had found his quintessential pristine touch. With Unadkat failing to stop the Gayle storm, it spoke highly of how dangerous he was looking in the middle.
Here is the video of the same:
https://twitter.com/Vidshots1/status/1110212701614034944
On the third delivery of the 14th over, Gayle decided to take on Jofra Archer as he hit his slower delivery over his head for another six. The flamboyant Windies all-rounder commenced Ben Stokes’ third over by once again clearing his leg and hitting the ball down the ground.
While he hit a couple of fours in the same over, Chris eventually got out on the 5th ball of the over. In an attempt to pull the ball, Gayle ended up hitting the ball to Rahul Tripathi at mid-wicket. Before the entertainment came to an end, Gayle ended up scoring 79 (47) with the help of eight fours and four sixes.
Here is the video of Gayle knock:
https://twitter.com/Vidshots1/status/1110212796094935040
Here is how Twitter reacted to the Gayle storm:
Kinni tareefan kare tuhaddi, Gayle paaji 🙏
Describe @henrygayle's innings with one emoji!#SaddaPunjab #KXIP #RRvKXIP #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/CorltLx6AV
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 25, 2019
Kings XI will get to a big total thanks to a 84 off 42 partnership between Gayle & Sarfaraz. And that’s the long and the short of it 🤓
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) March 25, 2019
No other batsman in T20 cricket puts as much fear in bowlers and opposing fielders as Gayle. Intimidating, even in the winter of his career
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 25, 2019
😂😂😂 – when boss jokes
🤭🤭🤭 – when boss scores
Are you watching the Chris Gayle Show on Star Sports? #RRvKXIP #GameBanayegaName #VIVOIPL #UniverseBoss pic.twitter.com/Sf6OGTOPQA
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/sL1B3R/status/1110204036907700224
🙌🙌#VIVOIPL #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/QICYISmRVk
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 25, 2019
Gayle’s SR against Unadkat is 243.
Jai Gayle Jai Gayle. 🙏☺️ #RRvKXIP #IPL— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 25, 2019
Chris Gayle today:
First 29 balls : 34 runs (SR – 117.24)
Next 18 balls : 45 runs (SR – 250.00)#RRvKXIP— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 25, 2019
RT if you agree that Chris Gayle is the GREATEST T20 cricketer EVER. #UniverseBoss #IPL @lionsdenkxip @henrygayle
— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) March 25, 2019
