IPL Rewind: Top five knocks from 2019

The 2019 season of the Indian Premier League witnessed few destructive knocks coming from various Indian and overseas batsmen. While Chris Gayle and Prithvi Shaw fell one run short of completing their centuries, there were a total of six centuries scored in the 2019 IPL. Here are the top five knocks from last year’s IPL season.

KL Rahul – 100 not out (Kings XI Punjab)

In the away fixture for Kings XI Punjab, their explosive opening pair of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle got going. The duo added 116 runs in just 77 balls. After Gayle’s departure, Rahul took the complete control of the innings and slammed a hundred. His maiden IPL century came off 64 balls and included six fours and six sixes. However, KXIP’s score of 197 proved inadequate in front of Kieron Pollard’s whirlwind knock of 83 from 31 balls.

David Warner – 100 not out (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Sunrisers Hyderabad trialled a combination of traditional rivals at the top of their batting order – Australia’s David Warner paired with England’s Jonny Bairstow. In this home match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the duo gave a stellar demonstration of their skills. Warner batted through the complete innings and managed a century in 55 balls. His innings consisted five fours and five sixes. A prolific run-getter in the Indian tournament, Warner has four IPL centuries to his name.

Sanju Samson – 102 not out (Rajasthan Royals)

Walking out to bat after Jos Buttler’s early dismissal, a lot of Royal hopes were pinned on Sanju Samson in this away match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Taking stock of the innings at 15/1, Samson staged a 119-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane. Batting through all the 20 overs, the Kerala batsman completed his hundred in 55 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes. The eventual team total of 198 was overhauled by the Sunrisers as Warner and Bairstow batted in a blazing manner.

Ajinkya Rahane – 105 not out (Rajasthan Royals)

Rajasthan Royals opener Ajinkya Rahane showed his T20 prowess with his second century in the IPL. After losing his opening partner Sanju Samson early, Rahane stitched a 130-run partnership with Steve Smith. Staying unbeaten till the end, Rahane scored 105 runs in 63 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes. Royals failed to defend 192 runs against Delhi Capitals as Rishabh Pant smashed 78 off 36 balls.

Jonny Bairstow – 114 (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

The England opener playing in his maiden IPL season gave an account of his destructive batting in the company of Australia’s David Warner. In this home match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Bairstow went on to bash his maiden century in the IPL. His knock of 114 runs from 56 balls (12 fours and 7 sixes) saw SRH putting up 185 runs in 16.2 overs. Bairstow’s knock was the highest individual total of the 2019 season. SRH ended up winning this encounter by 118 runs.