Martin Guptill is one of the most destructive openers in limited overs cricket, there is no denying that. The statistics support this statement as Guptill has become the all-time highest run-scorer in T20I cricket. He dethroned former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum who had 2,140 runs from 71 matches. Guptill had 2,083 runs before the 5th T20I of the tri-nation series.
Surprisingly, Guptill was not picked by any Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in IPL 2018 auctions despite his base price being as low as Rs 75 lakh. Kings XI Punjab decided not to retain him despite his form in recent times. However, he did not have a good record in IPL 2017 scoring 132 runs from 7 matches at an average of 22 with just one fifty throughout the tournament.
Guptill reached the feat in the 12th over as he flicked the ball towards fine leg for a couple of runs. There were no celebrations from him to celebrate the feat.
Guptill and Colin Munro got off to a flier at Eden Park, Auckland as they hammered Australian bowlers for fours and sixes around the park. Guptill reached 50 runs in style by hitting a six off D’Arcy Short’s over. He completed his maiden ODI century in style as well hitting a six off Marcus Stoinis. He reached his century from 49 balls. In the same over Munro reached his 6th international fifty.
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Munro scored 76 runs from 33 balls including 6 fours and 6 sixes in his innings. He struck three sixes in an over off Andrew Tye’s bowling. Their partnership of 126 runs from 66 balls is the fifth-highest partnership for New Zealand in T20I cricket. This is also Guptill-Munro’s third century partnership.
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Guptill has been involved in 7 century partnerships in T20Is which is the most for any T20I batsman.
