5 memorable moments from KXIP vs GL that don’t fade away

The Kings XI Punjab were on a winning run that had the Sunrisers Hyderabad nervous. However, against Gujarat Lions tonight, the winning streak came to an end as Suresh Raina and co. secured a relatively easy 6-wicket win.

A century from Hashim Amla helped Kings XI Punjab put up a competitive target of 190 runs for the Gujarat Lions to chase. In response, some great batting from Dwayne Smith and the rest of the batsmen helped them win the game with two balls to spare.

Here are 5 memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes:

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Hashim Amla’s century

As Harsha Bhogle said, ‘is there anything he can’t do with a cricket bat?’ The only thing we can think of is: Failing to score runs. The South African opener just can’t seem to stop scoring runs whenever he is on the pitch and tonight’s game was just another display of his brilliance.

Hashim Amla delivered a performance of the highest calibre when his team needed it. The bearded genius scored 104 runs from just 60 balls and reached his century by hitting a six which would have made Virender Sehwag proud.

Shaun Marsh’s support role

Shaun Marsh scored a useful half-century for KXIP

Kings XI Punjab didn’t have the best of starts when Martin Guptill got out in the very first over the game. They needed someone to support Hashim Amla and build a partnership that would stabilise the innings—and Shaun Marsh did just that.

In the beginning, both the batsmen struggled to make runs, but their valiant nature didn’t allow them to throw in the towel. In the end, the Australian played a crucial role as he helped Amla build a solid platform for the Kings by scoring 58 from just 43 balls against the Lions.

Dhawal Kulkarni’s economic bowling

Kulkarni picked one wicket and went for 24 runs in his four overs

When every other bowler in your team has an economy rate of 9 or more, it becomes a highly commendable task when you finish with an economy rate of 6—and today, that man was Dhawal Kulkarni.

In his 4 overs, the former Mumbai Indians bowler gave away only 24 runs while taking a wicket in the process. When he was bowling, both Hashim Amla and Shaun Marsh were finding it difficult to score runs against him.

Dwayne Smith finally fires

Dwayne Smith gave Gujarat Lions a superb start at the top of the order

This Indian Premier League has not been an entirely great one for the West Indians, with only Sunil Narine clicking—and that, too, with the bat. Chris Gayle has had a tournament to forget, so has Dwayne Smith… until tonight.

Despite his inconsistency, the Gujarat Lions persisted with him and it finally paid off in this game. The West Indian smacked 8 boundaries and four sixes to rage his way through to a 39-ball 74—an innings that set the platform for…

Dinesh Karthik to finish off the game

Dinesh Karthik’s cameo of 35 from 23 balls helped his team to victory

If a list of the most underrated players is compiled, the former Indian wicketkeeper’s name would be near the top. He might not be as consistent as someone of his potential should have been, but he has the ability to win games—something that he did tonight.

After Suresh Raina fell, there was a sense of fear among the Gujarat faithful about an implosion. Thankfully for them, Karthik made sure that those fears never came to fruition.

He put the icing on the cake that Dwayne Smith had made by scoring an unbeaten 35 off 23 balls to help Gujarat end on the winning side.