New Delhi: Ben Stokes, who was roped in by Rising Pune Supergiant for a whopping Rs 14 crore at IPL auction earlier this year, finally proved his mettle in the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League by hitting a sensational century against Gujarat Lions.
After missing out on a couple of matches for the team, the big-hitting all-rounder was included in the playing XI on Monday and he didn't disappoint the team management.
Having come to the crease as early as the second over, Stokes didn't look under pressure despite three key batsmen being dismissed in the first two overs.
Slowly but steadily, Stokes continued to move closer to the 161-run target and eventually managed to pull off a spectacular chase. In the process, he also reached his maiden century in T20 cricket and remained unbeaten on 103 off just 63 balls. His knock was studded with seven boundaries and six sixes.
Watch Stokes' mind-blowing knock here:
Earlier, leg-spinner Imran Tahir (3/27) and medium pacer Jaydev Unadkat (3/29) starred for Pune as they bowled out Gujarat Lions for a moderate 161- run total.
But the hosts were in dire straits while chasing after losing Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith and Manoj Tiwary off the first nine balls of their innings. It was from there onwards that Stokes began to resurrect the innings.
Stokes first added 32 runs for the fourth wicket with Rahul Tripathi and followed it with a 76-run stand with MS Dhoni to take Pune to a comfortable position.
