RILEE GETS IN THE ZONE TO POWER KINGS TO LPL TITLE

Pretoria’ Capitals Rilee Rossouw bludgeoned 106 off 53 balls (9x4, 7x6) to power the Jaffna Kings to the Lanka Premier League title on Sunday. 

Durban’s Super Giants all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius, whose brilliance with the ball booked Galle Marvels’ place in the showpiece final, had dismissed Pathum Nissanka with the first delivery of the Jaffna Kings run chase, but from there on it was the Rossouw and Kusal Mendis show.

Rossouw was in scintillating form, as he along with his former Capitals teammate Mendis, who crashed 72 off 40 balls, compiled a record unbroken 185-run stand to guide the Kings to glory by nine wickets. 

It was a day of full records for Rossouw and the Kings as it was also the highest successful run-chase in the history of the LPL.

Rossouw was devastating against spin with the leg-hander smashing Prabath Jayasuriya for a six and two fours in the seventh over before bullying Maheesh Theekshana over long-on boundary to bring up his 50 off only 29 balls (4x4, 4x6).

 He required only a further 21 deliveries for his next 50 runs, striking a further four boundaries and three sixes, enroute to his eighth T20 century.  

Rossouw marked it by hauling out his trademark bazooka celebration.

Earlier, the Galle Marvels had earlier been in a spot of bother at 24/3 before Durban’s Super Giants left-hander Bhanuka Rajapaksa ignited their innings with 82 off 34 balls (8x4, 6x6). 

Rajapaksa’s innings contrasted with Rossouw’s power-hitting display as he utilised greater touch through some delightful late cuts, fine glances, and flicks off his toes.

However, Rajapaksa was involved in an on-field altercation with Rossouw that seemed to ignite the fire within the South African southpaw.

"People that know me don't abuse me, but I mean it's part of the game. It makes it interesting, entertaining. And hopefully that spurs the rest of the boys on. It just puts me more in the zone and I'm thankful that it came off," Rossouw said. 

"I just played one ball at a time. Credit also to Kusal for playing a superb knock, striking at 200 opening in a high-pressure situation, coming through for us in the playoff and in this game. Winning the tournament is what we came here to do and this team has been incredible from game one, and just happy to be on this side of the winning formula."