On 23rd April 2013, Chris Gayle etched his name in annals of history as he smashed almost all the major records that were set in T20 cricket batting. Gayle not only broke the set records, but he raised them to such standard that no one can even dare to think about breaking them. His innings of 175* on this day against Pune Warriors at the Chinnaswamy Stadium is the zenith of T20 cricket.
Pune Warriors captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to be the witness of Gayle‘s historic innings. For RCB, Tilakratne Dilshan and Chris Gayle walked out. The unique force that was capable of stopping Gayle on that day was that of nature. After 30-minute rain though nature softened and the play was resumed in the second over.
It again rained heavily but this time the rain was of fours and sixes from Gayle’s bat. He was no mercy mood and treated Pune bowlers like schoolkids. Gayle’s intentions were crystal clear as launched Mitchell Marsh for over of 28 runs. The fifth over went for 6,6,4,0,6,6 as the West Indian opener reached his T20 fifty from just 17 balls. This was just the tip of the iceberg.
After hammering Ali Murtaza for another 18 runs, Captain Aaron Finch decided to bowl himself. But the captain sunk with his ship. Chris Gayle murdered him for 29 runs, the over went – 6,6,4,6,6. The left-handed opener now found himself at 95*(27).
The ninth over was handed to Dinda. On the fifth ball, Gayle received a free-hit from Dinda (as if he needed one!). The low full-toss was clubbed by Gayle and he completed the century in just 30 balls. The six hit the roof and the records went out of the roof.
Even after the hundred, Gaylestorm was in full effect. He smashed the 15th over bowled by Ali Murtaza for 28 runs, now even the counting of fours and sixes was lost. Luckily enough, Pune team had to bowl only maximum 20 overs.
When the punishment ended for Pune bowlers, Chris Gayle stood smiling at 175 not out in just 66 balls with 13 boundaries and 17 sixes. The records he established included Fastest century ever, Most sixes in an innings, Highest individual score ever. The innings in enormity can only be equated to Lara’s 500* in the first-class cricket.
The effect of Gayle’s innings can be learned from the fact that while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Luke Wright together gave only 49 runs from their 8 overs, rest of Pune bowlers were hit for 214 runs from their 12 overs. Even the term murder fails to describe the beating handed by the Universe Boss – Chris Gayle.
Here is the video of the same:
https://twitter.com/videos_shots/status/988285091423162368
