In a thrilling encounter on May 8, 2017, Kings XI Punjab faced off against Gujarat Lions at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Chandigarh. The match ended dramatically, with Gujarat Lions emerging victorious by seven wickets, needing only 19.4 overs to chase down a target of 190 runs set by Punjab.
Batting first, Kings XI Punjab compiled a total of 189 runs, primarily thanks to a stellar performance from Hashim Amla, who scored a magnificent 104 runs off 90 balls, peppered with 8 fours and 5 sixes, giving him a striking strike rate of 173.33. Alongside him, Shaun Marsh provided substantial support with a well-played 58 off 67 balls, including 6 fours. However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled to find form, with Martin Guptill, Glenn Maxwell, and Axar Patel contributing only minimal runs to the total.
In response, the Gujarat Lions were in fine fettle, led by Dwayne Smith’s explosive innings, where he scored 74 runs from just 53 balls, featuring 8 boundaries and 4 sixes at an impressive strike rate of 189.74. Ishan Kishan and Suresh Raina also made valuable contributions of 29 and 39 runs, respectively, providing a strong foundation for the chase. Dinesh Karthik closed the game with his unbeaten 35 runs, ensuring that the Lions finished at 192 for 4 with 10 balls to spare.
On the bowling front for Kings XI Punjab, Sandeep Sharma was the standout bowler, taking 2 wickets for 29 runs in his four overs, while Glenn Maxwell also claimed an important wicket, albeit at a cost of 21 runs.
Overall, it was an exhilarating contest, marked by a high-scoring middle order and a well-paced chase, leaving fans at the edge of their seats as Gujarat Lions continued to solidify their position in the season with this impressive victory.