Bangalore: Chris Gayle tormented the Kings XI Punjab bowlers with a whirlwind 117 from just 57 balls as Royal Challengers Bangalore posted a mammoth 226 for three in an IPL cricket match, here today.
Punjab paid a heavy price for dropping Gayle twice - on 27 and 53 - as the left-handed Caribbean went on to hit his fifth IPL century in an incredible display of power-hitting.
Before being caught and bowled by spinner Axar Patel, Gayle entertained the fans by hitting 12 sixes and seven fours as hapless Punjab players kept watching the shots soaring over their heads and vanishing in the stands.
With skipper Virat Kohli (32), Gayle shared a 119-run stand in just 11.2 overs and later with AB de Villiers (47 not out) he raised a 71-run partnership in just 5.4 overs.
Gayle completed his century by guiding a Mitchell Johnson full-toss to square leg for four.
The carnage began in the second over when Australian paceman Johnson pitched it up and was punished by Gayle, who creamed off 20 runs in that over with two sixes and two fours.
The burly Caribbean was in full flow and next to bear the brunt of his fury was Sandeep Sharma, who conceded 23 runs in the next over. Sandeep though had created a chance to get Gayle out after being hit for a six in the first ball. Skipper George Bailey dropped a skier at long-off next ball, running back. Gayle was on 27 at that time.
Bangalore crossed 50-run mark in just four overs even as Kohli was playing a second-fiddle from the other end. The Indian Test captain got into groove with two exquisite shots over extra cover.
Despite being denied a six off Anureet Singh when the ball on his shot touched the cable of the spider cam, Gayle completed his half-century off just 22 balls.
Gayle also completed 3000 runs in IPL with a single off Anureet in the eighth over. He is only fourth player do so.
Axar Patel could have got wicket of Gayle in his first ball but Manan Vohra, who replaced Virender Sehwag, dropped the Caribbean.
Gayle kept hitting monstrous hits but Kohli was bowled by Sandeep in the 12th over. De Villers played superbly, punishing the Punjab bowlers with seven boundaries.
