IPL 2020: Bittersweet hundred, says Ben Stokes as RR star rues delay in return to form after demolishing MI

IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals star Ben Stokes said he would have liked to return to form a couple of matches earlier as the former champions have to rely on other results to go their way to seal a play-off berth despite the big win over Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

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IPL 2020: Bittersweet hundred, says Ben Stokes as RR star rues delay in return to form after demolishing MI
IPL 2020: Bittersweet Ben Stokes rues delay in return to form after match-winning hundred (Courtesy of BCCI)

Ben Stokes had scored only 110 runs 5 matches before Sunday but the World Cup-winning England all-rounder turned it around in en emphatic manner when he hit a match-winning 107 not out in just 60 balls to help Rajasthan Royals gun down a 196-run target against holders Mumbai Indians and remain in the hunt for IPL 2020 play-offs.

Ben Stokes had joined the IPL 2020 campaign late as he was in New Zealand with his ailing father. After not playing competitive cricket for more than 2 months, Stokes found it difficult to get going straight away when he joined the Rajasthan Royals camp. Quite a few had questioned the Royals' decision to open with Stokes as the England star was taking the place of Jos Buttler, who had proven his exploits as an opener for them over the years.

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Stokes played one of the finest knocks of his IPL career as he stepped up when the team needed him the most -- in a massive chase against Mumbai Indians, arguably the most well-rounded bowling attack in IPL 2020.

IPL 2020 - Full Coverage | Points Table

It needed someone of Stokes's calibre to dismantle the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and James Pattinson as the RR star, opening the innings once again for them, dealing with the MI pacers with disdain. Stokes hit 3 sixes and 14 boundaries as he never let the asking rate shoot up during his 3rd-wicket stand with Sanju Samson. The young wicketkeeper-batsman fed off the energy from Stokes, hitting a 31-ball 54 as the Royals got past the finish line with 10 balls to spare.

Stokes, however, said the hundred gave him a bittersweet feeling as it has come at a time when the Royals are relying on other results to go their way despite the big win over Mumbai.

"Sort of bittersweet to be honest - it took so long to get one for the team. I would have preferred to get this form two or three games before when we weren't relying on other results to get us through to the qualifiers. It's always nice to get back to form. We needed a result from today, so - it's a good victory," Stokes said.

"Training yesterday was the best I have had for the full time I have been here. Came into the game with a lot more confidence than the other games. Nice to spend some time out in the middle and finish the game off," the centurion said when asked what had changed in his approach on Sunday.

Rajasthan Royals have moved to the 6th spot with 10 points from 12 matches. They will next face Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders -- their direct competitors for the play-off spot. However, other results have to go their way as both KKR and KXIP have an extra game in hand.

'Hope this hundred will give my family some happiness'

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Stokes, meanwhile, said he hopes the match-winning hundred brings joy to his family back home in New Zealand.

"It's a bit difficult at the moment, things are a bit tough back at home, hopefully, this will give them some happiness," he said.

Stokes had left a Test series against Pakistan mid-way earlier this year to be with his ailing father. Stokes had said he was not able to sleep for a week and leaving England mid-way during the series against Pakistan was the 'right choice from a mental point of view'.

Stokes had said his father, who was diagnosed with brain cancer, had urged him to get back to playing cricket. After spending 5 weeks with his family, the all-rounder took the flight to the UAE.