The Indian Premier League, which is one of the most interesting and tough to play in T20 competitions in the world, makes sure that it takes the players and the fans, through an emotional roller coaster. And, one such example is that of players hitting centuries that came in a losing cause. So, here’s a look at the names of the players who unwantedly became a part of the group of players who hit centuries in losing causes.
1. Rishabh Pant (Delhi capitals) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
One of the most flamboyant left-handed batsman to have played in the Indian Premier League gave his all in his team’s match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018, but his efforts ended up going in vain as he became a part of the list of batsmen to have hit centuries that came in a losing cause.
Rishabh Pant during his unbeaten knock of 128 runs off 63 delivers, showed every follower of the tournament that he had the makings of star batsmen. That knock of Pant held his team a decent total, which to his dismay, was chased down by the SRH batters with ease. The knock that added a lot to Pant’s resume, making him the holder of the record of the highest score by an Indian in T20 Cricket, did not have the best of ends to it but would remain etched in the memories of the fans forever.
2. Andrew Symonds (Deccan Chargers) vs Rajasthan Royals
In the very first season of the Indian Premier League, the Australian legend, Andre Symonds, known for his all-round abilities, became the holder of an infamous record. It was that of becoming the first batsman in the tournament to hit a century that came in a losing cause in the tournament. This knock of Symonds in IPL 2008, came against the Rajasthan Royals, the team that would eventually go on and win the tournament.
Symond’s knock of 117 runs not out off just 53 deliveries, helped his team, set a total of 215 runs to chase. But, as it would turn out to be, the batting firepower of Graeme Smith and Yusuf Pathan proved to be too strong for the Chargers’ bowlers to face, as the team ended up losing the match, also dosing of the wild celebrations that would have followed if DC had won the game, making Symonds a part of the list of batsmen to have hit centuries that came in a losing cause.
3. Wriddhiman Saha (Kings XI Punjab) vs Kolkata Knight Riders
The erstwhile Kings XI Punjab had a dream run in the 2014 edition of the Indian Premier League, and when it came down to the Finals, it looked like Wriddhiman Saha was out there to save the day for the team, with a blistering century that ended up being a part of the centuries that came in a losing cause.
Pulling off one of the best batting comebacks in the history of the tournament, Saha batted with command in the second half of the Punjab innings, helping the team reach a total of 199 runs at the end of their quota of 20 overs. Saha, ended the innings not out, with his tally being 115 runs of 55 deliveries. But, as Punjab lost the match, thanks to the contributions of Manish Pandey, what could have been Saha’s fond memories of a century in the Final of IPL, came down as just another addition to Saha’s tally of runs.
4. Hashim Amla (Kings XI Punjab) vs Mumbai Indians
The second entrant from the Punjab-based franchise in this list of the centuries that came in a losing cause, Hashim Amla comes in with a knock of 104 runs not out of 60 deliveries against the star team of the Indian Premier League, the Mumbai Indians.
Although he has hit one another century that came in a losing cause, the one that makes this particular knock stand out is the fact that the bowlers of his team were smacked by the batters of the other team. It was so hard that Punjab lost the match with as many as 28 deliveries to spare. Mumbai’s victory came on the back of Nitish Rana, Parthiv Patel and Jos Buttler’s spectacular knocks.
5. Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals) vs Punjab Kings
One of the most unfortunate entrants in this list, Sanju Samson, could not have asked for anything better as he played a spectacular knock in his debut match as the captain of the Rajasthan Royals, but it all came down on him as the team ended up losing the game that he set up beautifully for his team to win.
On his way to becoming the holder of the record of becoming the first player to hit a century on his IPL debut, Samson hit 119 runs off 63 balls, which included 7 sixes and 12 fours. But as it turned out for all the other entrants in this list, Samson’s valiant efforts went in vain as his team lost the match, making the part of the small group of players to have hit centuries that came in a losing cause.
