4. Amla silences critics
Ironically, South African run-machine Hashim Amla was completely ignored at the IPL Players Auction and only joined the party as a replacement for injured Shaun Marsh at the Kings XI Punjab.
It was only his 4th IPL match and he proved that he has the credentials to succeed even in the T20 format after smashing his way to a brilliant 96 from 56 balls.
The right-hander was really a treat to watch when he ripped apart the famed Sunrisers bowling attack with 14 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Amla got into the act from the second ball of the innings, hitting Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a four. He then came down heavily on Ashish Nehra, smacking the left-arm pacer for 3 fours in his first over, and then followed it up with 2 hits over the fence in the bowler’s next. He brought up his 50 off just 30 balls.
The 33-year-old fell agonisingly close to a century to Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the final over.
Amla could only watch in dismay as the Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a collective batting performance to clinch a 7 wicket victory with 2 balls to spare.