Rahul century sparks Lucknow in IPL

Captain KL Rahul has struck an impressive century to inspire Lucknow Super Giants’ 18-run Indian Premier League win over Mumbai Indians.

Mumbai’s losing streak extended to six games on Saturday after they were restricted to 9-181 in reply to Lucknow’s 4-199 that was set up by Rahul’s 103 not out off just 60 balls.

Rahul struck nine fours and five sixes.

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He reached 50 off 33 balls before accelerating and reached his ton with a boundary against English left arm quick Tymal Mills (0-54 off three overs) in the penultimate over.

Rahul and South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (24 off 13 balls) put on 52 for the first wicket in 5.3 overs before Fabian Allen (1-46) trapped the latter in front with his third ball.

Rahul and Manish Pandey (38) then combined in a 72-run stand and the Lucknow skipper continued to exhibit an array of shots on both sides of the wicket after Australia’s Marcus Stoinis later fell for just 10.

Stoinis then took 1-13 to help Lucknow restrict five-time champions Mumbai who struggled after openers Ishan Kishan (13) and skipper Rohit Sharma (six) fell early in the chase.

Dewald Brevis counter-attacked with 31 off 13 balls before driving fast bowler Avesh Khan (3-30) to extra cover.

Suryakumar Yadav top-scored for Mumbai with 37 and Kieron Pollard made 25 before the West Indian holed out at long on in the final over.

“Not building partnerships cost us, it was not a moment,” Mumbai skipper Sharma said.

“We try and find combinations and playing XIs that work but we can’t do it after losses.

“If I know what’s going wrong, I’d correct it but it’s not coming off.”

Rahul century sparks Lucknow in IPL
Independent Information