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Ben Stokes entered his first century in the Indian Premier League this season to propel the Rajasthan Royals to an eight-wicket victory over the leaders of the Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
In Dubai, Virat Kohli’s third half-century in this edition turned out to be in vain, as the Chennai Super Kings defeated playoff contenders Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets.
Stokes regained his touch against one of the best bowling attacks in the IPL when the Englishman hit an undefeated 107 from 60 balls and Rajasthan jumped to 196-2 with 10 balls to spare.
Hardik Pandya’s 21-ball 60 no out had previously raised Mumbai to 195-5 after backup captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and chose to hit in the absence of injured regular captain Rohit Sharma.
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“It’s kind of bittersweet to be honest,” Stokes said.
“A little taken aback by the fact that it took me so long to get into the tournament for the team. To be honest, the training I had yesterday was the best I had during my time here, so I went into this with a little confidence. “
Rajasthan is in sixth place with 10 points and still has a chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Despite their heavy defeat, Mumbai retains the No. 1 spot after 11 games with 14 points in a better net run rate than Delhi Capitals and Bangalore, which also have 14 points each.
SKY SPORT / SCREENGRAB
Starter Ben Stokes made 107 of 60 balls as the Rajasthan Royals posted an eight wicket victory with 10 balls to spare.
Stokes lifted his century with a six from James Pattinson (2-40) before closing the game by lifting the Australian fast pitcher over additional coverage in the next installment. His impressive hit included 14 fours and three sixes.
Stokes was ably supported by Sanju Samson, who was 54 unbeaten with 31 balls. Their winning partnership of 152 runs with just 82 balls came against a bowling attack that included Jasprit Bumrah (0-38) and Trent Boult (0-40).
Pattinson had provided two early advances into the hitting power game, but Stokes and Samson’s counterattack proved too much for Mumbai.
Previously, Pandya took full advantage of a missed opportunity at 7 before Mumbai looted 79 runs of the last 30 balls. The running feast came off Pandya’s bat despite Jofra Archer conceding just three in the 19th of the inning.
Pandya hit fast pitcher Ankit Rajpoot (0-60) for four sixes in the 18th more before fast pitcher Kartik Tyagi’s last five deliveries were 6-4-4-6-4.
The races weren’t as abundant in the other game of the day.
Kohli’s 50 of 43 balls included just one, four and a six, but still formed the core of the total below Bangalore’s pair of 145-6.
Chennai starter Ruturaj Gaikwad eclipsed Kohli with an undefeated 65v51 and led his team to 150-2 in 18.4 overs when he threw Chris Morris six over the long leg limit.
Bangalore could still finish in the top two, while Chennai is in last place with just eight points after losing eight of its 12 games.
“What you saw in the second inning was not a true reflection of how difficult the pitch was,” Kohli said in defense of his team’s total.
“We didn’t hit the areas, (we gave away) too many limit balls. We just don’t throw enough slower balls. “
Chennai was effective on the slower balls after Kohli won the pitch and opted to hit first. Fast pitcher Sam Curran (3-19) duped Aaron Finch (15) with a slower rebound and the Aussie skipped an easy catch on cover.
Faf du Plessis continued his brilliant catch in the outfield this season when he relayed a catch to Gaikwad after falling over the edge to fire Devdutt Padikkal (22) shortly after the hitting power game.
New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner (1-23), playing his first game this season, and Imran Tahir (0-30) did not allow Kohli and AB de Villiers (39) to let loose in the intermissions and the two hit makers consumed 68 balls to form a partnership of 82 races.
Both hitters dug into du Plessis’s safe hands in the deep while attempting big shots as Bangalore could only score 44 runs in the last five overs and lost four wickets.
Gaikwad, who hit four limits and three sixes, and du Plessis (25) set up the heavy chase by sharing a 46-run, 31-ball opening grandstand.
Ambati Rayudu hit three fours and two sixes before Yuzvendra Chahal made it clean in the 14th over. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (19 not eliminated) ensured that Chennai did not let the game slip away as Gaikwad finished it off in style.
“I felt like this was one of the perfect games,” Dhoni said. “Everything went according to plan and the execution was there. We continue to collect windows and keep them at a slightly below-average total. “
