IPL 2017: 4 batsmen who couldn't get the elusive hundred
Hundreds in cricket are prestigious for batsmen and a batsman’s worth and contribution to the team are measured in terms of hundreds, by critics and fans alike.
When T20 took over world cricket, people could barely believe that batsmen could smash over a hundred runs in an innings in just 20 overs. All that changed with the advent of the IPL when Brendon McCullum set ablaze the inaugural tournament with a sizzling 158.
The IPL has since witnessed several spectacular knocks, many of them culminating in brilliant hundreds while a few have fallen some runs short. To put in statistical terms, there have been as many as 41 scores between 90-100 in the IPL since its inception.
This season of the IPL has seen four hundreds, starting with Sanju Samson's spectacular effort for Delhi, to Hashim Amla's elegant but powerful hundred, David Warner's blistering knock and culminating in Ben Stokes' counter-attacking hundred. All of them were eye-catching in their own way but it is worth noting that there have been as many scores in the 90s too.
Here in this list, we take a look at those unfortunate men of IPL 2017 who came so close to a hundred but could not scale it.
#4 Chris Lynn – 93* vs Gujarat Lions
Kolkata Knight Riders took a gamble this season by promoting Australian batsman, Chris Lynn, to the top of the order, breaking a very successful pairing in Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa. Lynn justified the move with a stunning onslaught on a hapless Gujarat Lions bowling attack.
The Queensland batsman was in sublime form from the word go in a chase of 184. Gambhir offered immense support as Lynn never backed down. He raced to a half-century in 19 balls, the second joint fastest in IPL and moved to 93* in 41 balls. The opening partnership was unbeaten as KKR scaled 184 with ease but Lynn missed out on a hundred by seven runs.
“One good innings doesn't make a summer. Hopefully, I keep it going. If I can continue this momentum, I'd be very pleased,” Lynn said after the match. But unfortunately injury cut short his season. He is expected to be fit in time for the play-offs.