New Delhi, Delhi, India

Chris Gayle ended his wait to bat in the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) in style as he smashed a 22-ball half-century to give Punjab a rollicking start.

Advertisment

Gayle's 63 off 33 balls helped Punjab set 198 runs target after they were put in to bat by Chennai at home in Mohali.

The Jamaican then unleashed himself against the veteran Indian offspinner Harbhajan Singh's second over in which he hit him for 11 runs in 3 balls, including a four and a six.

In the last Powerplay over bowled by Chahar, Gayle cut loose after his opening partner KL Rahul gave the West Indian strike with a single off the first ball. The next five balls read 6, 4, 4, 1wd, 6, 0. 

Advertisment

His innings included seven fours and four sixes. 

To support Gayle was opener KL Rahul, who fashioned victory by smashing fastest ever IPL fifty.

Rahul played a superb 22 ball 37 run knock to give a decent start to the team.   

Advertisment

Other than the two, the middle and lower order batsmen failed to contribute much.

While Yuvraj was sent back to the pavilion after making just 20 runs, Aaron finch again failed to open his account after being LBW by Tahir.

MS Dhoni won the toss and opted to field first against Ashwin-led Punjab. 

Chennai, on the other hand, have clinched wins from the clutches of their opponents twice now, and they will want to put in a much improved performance. 

Against Mumbai, Bravo’s end-overs pyrotechnics took them across the line. While against Kolkata, it was Sam Billings who did the rescue job.