Virender Sehwag turned the clock back in company of immensely talented Manan Vohra as their half-centuries helped KIngs XI Punjab reach a commanding 215 for five against Northern Knights in a group league match of the Oppo Champions League T20 here today.
While Vohra showed the exuberance of youth in his 32-ball 65, Sehwag displayed glimpses of his old self in a 37-ball-52 as their opening stand of 102 laid they foundation for a formidable total.
However the Kings XI Punjab innings lost steam towards the end after having scored 120 in the first 10 overs. The back-10 produced 95 runs, courtesy David Miller's 18-ball-40 (5x4, 1x6).
Vohra took full advantage of the Powerplay overs as he repeatedly beat the infield with his audacious hitting. It started with a straight drive followed by a flick of Trent Boult.
With ball coming onto the bat nicely, all Vohra did was to plonk his front-foot and hit through the line and occasionally clearing the front leg to clear the in-field over short third-man.
With Sehwag also setting the tone with a signature upper cut for six off Scoot Kuggleijn, there was simply no looking back for the Kings XI.
The 50 came in 4.5 overs and Vohra completed his own half-century off 28 balls with a lovely cut shot off part-time left-arm spin from Anton Devcich.
The six Powerplay overs yielded 71 runs but there was no stopping Vohra.
When leg-spinner Ish Sodhi came into the attack, Vohra rocked back to smash him over long-on for a six and followed with a slog sweep that went over to the cow corner. In his bid to get the third six off Sodhi, Vohra mistimed a pull-shot when the leggie bowled a half-tracker only to be caught at square leg fence. Vohra-Sehwag opening stand yield 102 runs.
The former India U-19 opener's 32-ball-65 had eight fours and three sixes.
Sehwag, who batted in his inimitable style lofted Sodhi over extra-cover boundary to reach his 50 off 35 balls. He was out for 52 when Kugggeleijn trapped him plumb-in-front for 52 which had five fours and a six.
