Virender Sehwag’s 122-run knock helped KXIP prevail over CSK in Qualifier 2 in IPL 2014

On May 30, 2014, Virender Sehwag stepped up for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), now Punjab Kings (PBKS), and notched up 122 off 58 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 played at the Wankhede Stadium. Batting first after losing the toss, Punjab accumulated 109 runs without any loss in their initial 10 overs, riding on Sehwag’s quick and unbeaten 68 off 30. Both Sehwag and Manan Vohra stitched a 110-run stand off 64 balls to help their team have a command over the game. Manan departed after scoring 34 off 31 but Sehwag remained unfazed and kept on hammering bowlers. The veteran went on to hit his second IPL century, which came in just 50 deliveries.

He concluded his innings after scoring 122 off just 58. His knock was studded with 20 boundaries (12 fours and eight maximums). In the final overs of the innings, David Miller also batted fiercely and smashed 38 off just 19. Riding on both exceptional innings, Punjab erected a massive total of 226/6 on the board.

Suresh Raina’s sensational knock goes in vain

Following the huge score, CSK lost Faf du Plessis on the second delivery of the innings but Suresh Raina displayed his relentless approach and scored the fastest fifty for Super Kings in just 16 balls. Within seven overs, the Men in Yellow reached 100 runs due to the southpaw’s 87 off just 25. His innings included 18 boundaries (12 fours and six maximums).

Raina got dismissed while stealing a run in the seventh over and following his fall, Chennai’s innings got shaken. MS Dhoni stood at the crease until the end and scored an unbeaten 42 off 31 but that wasn’t enough to keep CSK in the chase. The Men in Yellow capitulated to 202/7 in their 20 overs and Punjab bagged a comfortable 24-run win. Sehwag became the recipient of the Player of the Match (POTM) for his batting brilliance.