The team score read 10/3 when Ben Stokes walked into bat. The target was a moderate 162. Rising Pune Supergiant needed something special — a miracle, but what they got after that was a million-dollar innings from the English all-rounder.
Ben Stokes strikes out Gujarat Lions
While M. S. Dhoni held fort at the other end, Stokes powerplayed. He wasn't smashing boundaries every ball, but he waited out for moments to drive the innings towards victory. Even when cramps started bothering him, two runs short of his century, Stokes put his foot down and played a smooth shot towards covers to bring up his maiden IPL hundred — one that everyone will remember.
Smith: ‘We are peaking at the right time’
His partnership of 76-run for the fifth wicket was the highest in the match, out of which Stokes' contribution was 46 and M. S. Dhoni's 26 — the man who is known to be the finisher.
However, today it was Stokes, who finished the deal for RPS under pressure.
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