PUNE: Rising Pune Supergiants cricketer Ben Stokes (L) watched by Gujarat Lions cricketer Dinesh Karthik plays a shot during the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions at The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. — AFP

NEW DELHI: Rising Pune Supergiant’s record-breaking investment in Ben Stokes has paid dividends, with the England allrounder delivering a blistering maiden Twenty20 century to secure his Indian Premier League team a crucial victory. Stokes-whose $2.16 million contract broke the IPL signing record for a foreign playerhit an unbeaten 63-ball 103 during the Supergiant’s five-wicket win over the Gujarat Lions on Monday. “He’s done a terrific job for us. We paid a big amount to get him. We know he’s a quality player. (He) certainly earned his cash tonight,” Supergiant captain Steve Smith said of their star performer after the win.

The left-handed batsman, who came into bat with Pune precariously placed at 10 for three, put on a 76-run fifth-wicket partnership with Mahendra Singh Dhoni who made 26. Supergiant chased down their 162-run target with a ball to spare to keep in the top half of the league’s eightteam ranking. Stokes, who has won three man-of-thematch awards in eight IPL matches this season, smashed seven fours and six sixes in front of a raucous home crowd. “All rounders are so valuable in T20 cricket and he bats, bowls and fields well.

He’s a perfect fit for our team, particularly after Mitchell Marsh was ruled out as well,” said Smith. “We were very excited to get him. I had said before the auction to the guys (owners) just do what you have to get him.” In another match Monday a star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by India captain Virat Kohli, became the first team to crash out of the play-off race after suffering a fivewicket loss to Mumbai Indians. — AFP