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The IPL is a whirlwind of big sixes, nail-biting finishes, and of course, the coveted century – a batsman’s dream. But spare a thought for those who’ve come agonizingly close, the members of the ’99 Club’ – players who fell just one agonizing run short of a hundred!
Virat Kohli (2013)
Back in the 2013 season, a young Virat Kohli, already a rising star, was on fire against the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). Chasing a decent total, Kohli looked unstoppable, smashing boundaries with ease. The crowd roared with every run, the tension thickening as he neared the three-figure mark. But cruel fate intervened! The last ball of the innings saw Kohli run out, stranded on a heartbreaking 99. While Royal Challengers Bangalore won the match, Kohli’s near-miss left a lasting impression.
Suresh Raina (2013)
This one involved a captain leading by example but missing out on personal glory. In the same season (2013), Suresh Raina, skipper of the Chennai Super Kings, was in a belligerent mood against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Raina stitched together a crucial partnership, his bat a blur as he raced towards a century. With just a run needed, nerves got the better of him, and he was dismissed. Thankfully, CSK secured victory, but Raina’s 99* (not out) remained a reminder of what could have been.
Chris Gayle (2019)
Even the “Universe Boss” isn’t immune to near misses! In the 2019 IPL, Chris Gayle, known for his explosive batting, had a frustrating experience against his former team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Gayle unleashed his usual power-hitting, leaving the bowlers bewildered. The crowd buzzed with anticipation as he inched closer to a well-deserved century. But with just one run needed, the unthinkable happened – Gayle was dismissed, leaving him stranded on a score of 99. Despite the disappointment, his knock was a reminder of his immense talent, even if it fell just short of a magical milestone.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (2022)
The most recent addition to the ’99 Club’ is the talented Ruturaj Gaikwad. In 2022, while opening the innings for the Chennai Super Kings against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gaikwad played a gem of an innings. He displayed remarkable composure and strokeplay, but with just a run needed for his century, his wicket fell. Despite the disappointment, Gaikwad’s knock helped CSK win the match, and he emerged as a player to watch in the years to come.
Shikhar Dhawan (2023)
Leading the Punjab Kings lineup against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Dhawan displayed incredible grit and skill. He smashed boundaries and kept the scoreboard ticking while wickets tumbled around him. The pressure mounted as he neared a well-deserved century, but heartbreak struck at the last hurdle. Dhawan was dismissed agonizingly short of a hundred, on 99. Even though his knock couldn’t win the match for his team, it showcased his fighting spirit and cemented his reputation as a reliable batsman in the IPL.
The IPL is a pressure cooker, and these stories highlight the mental toughness required to convert a good score into a magnificent one. So next time you witness an IPL batsman nearing a century, spare a thought for the members of the ’99 Club’ – a reminder that even the best can fall just short of cricketing glory.
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