Iyer: That flicked six off Rabada changed the momentum

INDIA batsman Shreyas Iyer led from the front with an unbeaten 97 to set up an 11-run win for Punjab Kings in a big-hitting IPL clash with Gujarat Titans on Thursday night.

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Iyer’s 42-ball knock steered the team to 243/8 after being invited to bat at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat finished on 232/8 despite a valiant 30-ball 74 by opener Sai Sudharsan, who set up a blazing start to the run chase, featuring an 84-run second wicket stand with England’s Jos Buttler (64).

Both sides walloped 16 sixes each across the two innings on the fourth day of the cash-rich Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to a title win last season, has already gone some way to justifying his top price after Punjab paid a whopping $3.17 million for him in the November auction.

“Realistic to be honest,” said Iyer, “getting 97 not out in the first match is always the icing on the cake. No better feeling, to be honest.”