A brutal masterclass at Eden Gardens—when Gayle’s bat roared, and the IPL listened
The Indian Premier League has witnessed numerous exhilarating innings, but few can match the sheer force of Chris Gayle’s maiden century in the tournament. It was April 22, 2011, and the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata set the stage. Royal Challengers Bangaluru (RCB) aimed for a challenging target of 172 against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
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Enter Chris Gayle – a man on fire, a whirlwind of destruction, and a bowlers’ worst nightmare. By the time he finished, RCB had triumphed with 11 balls remaining, and Gayle stood unscathed at 102 off just 55 deliveries. This wasn’t just a hundred—it was a message to the entire IPL. The Universe Boss had made his entrance, and he had no plans of departing anytime soon.
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It wasn’t instant carnage. In the first four overs, Gayle had barely settled in. While his partner, Tillakaratne Dilshan, found the boundary early, Gayle was content to take singles. But as it often is with legends, all he required was one loose ball. A full toss came his way, and he smashed it past the bowler for four. The floodgates opened.
Jaidev Unadkat was the next to suffer. Gayle went down on one knee and sent the ball soaring over long-on for a massive six. Shakib Al Hasan was next in line, dispatched over midwicket and deep square. Yusuf Pathan tried his luck, only to watch the ball scream through the covers. It didn’t matter who was bowling—Gayle had his sights locked in.
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By the end of the 12th over, RCB was cruising at 123/1, with Gayle already on 84. The only wicket to fall was Dilshan (38), bowled by Lakshmipathy Balaji, but that hardly dented the momentum.
Gayle continued his assault alongside Virat Kohli, ensuring that Bangaluru’s required run rate was never a concern. Kohli (30) also joined the action, striking some fine boundaries, but he knew the night belonged to Gayle.
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With just two runs needed for victory and Gayle stranded on 98, Kohli smartly blocked out the rest of the over to give his partner a chance to reach his century. It was fitting that Gayle finished the game in style, crashing the ball through the covers to complete his first IPL hundred. The job was done.
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Chris Gayle dazzled with an explosive performance, scoring 102 runs off just 55 balls at a blistering strike rate of 185.45. The innings featured an impressive array of 10 fours and 7 sixes, showcasing a masterclass in boundary hitting.
His remarkable achievement included the second-fastest century of the 2011 IPL, further emphasizing that Gayle didn’t merely score runs; he did it with unparalleled speed. Given his phenomenal contribution to the game, it’s no surprise he was named the most valuable player of the match.
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That night in Kolkata wasn’t just about the century. It was a statement. Gayle went on to score five more IPL centuries, but the first remains special. It was the night the Universe Boss took centre stage, and the IPL was never the same again.
