An utterly majestic performance from Ben Stokes saw Rising Pune Supergiant to victory over Gujarat Lions on Monday night.
The England all-rounder was at his belligerent best as he crashed his first T20 century and hauled Pune over the line when all looked to be lost.
Stokes plundered an unbeaten 103 from just 63 balls as he paid back his hefty first IPL contract in full and in one fell swoop.
His innings included seven fours and six sixes as Stokes ran riot against the Gujarat bowlers.
It was Stokes at his best, a performance that few people in world cricket are capable of.
SOCIAL CHATTER
Take a bow @benstokes38 ..wow what a batting display that was...
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) May 1, 2017
English Champion lights up #IPL. Way to go rockstar @benstokes38 @RPSupergiants #RPSvGL pic.twitter.com/XDkNQQ16z7
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 1, 2017
That's as good as a t20 hundred can get! Coming in at 5 in the 2nd over under pressure. Incredible @benstokes38! #wortheverycentπ° #freak
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) May 1, 2017
You absolutely STAR - @benstokes38
— KP (@KP24) May 1, 2017
ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»ππ»
Ben strokes ! A serious knock @benstokes38 too much talent this guy possesses! Beautiful to watch as a left hander ππΌ
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 1, 2017
#STOKES an absolute pleasure to witness that my friend. Incredible innings! WHAT A PLAYER! @benstokes38
— Jason Roy (@JasonRoy20) May 1, 2017
It was the @benstokes38 show at the MCA stadium as he mastered to a wonderful 1β£0β£3β£* (63) to see us to victory!#RangWahiJungNayi #RPSvGL pic.twitter.com/XBm0Ch5XcA
— RisingPuneSupergiant (@RPSupergiants) May 1, 2017
Stokesy you little beauty!! @IPL
— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) May 1, 2017
102 out of 158 coming in at 10-3. Will go down as one of the innings of the #IPL from @benstokes38
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 1, 2017
11/3 and now he is 100no out well played @benstokes38 take a bow. It's all about time in this game. Took it deep ππ great win.
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) May 1, 2017