IPL 2017: Top Run-Scorers After Kings XI Punjab vs. Rising Pune Supergiant T20
Rising Pune Supergiant batsman Steve Smith is the top run-scorer in the 2017 season of the Indian Premier League after he took his overall tally to 110 on Saturday, but it wasn't enough to help his side as they lost to Kings XI Punjab by six wickets.
Ajinkya Rahane and Ben Stokes of Pune also occupy the top 10 after their efforts in Saturday's contest, with Stokes hitting a half-century, but Glenn Maxwell's 43 helped Punjab chase down their target of 163 with an over remaining.
Chris Lynn's 93 for the Kolkata Knight Riders in their 10-wicket victory against the Gujarat Lions on Friday puts him second in the standings.
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Here is the race for the Orange Cap as things stand:
| 1 | Steve Smith | RPS | 2 | 2 | 1 | 110 | 84* | 110.0 | 10 | 3 |
| 2 | Chris Lynn | KKR | 1 | 1 | 1 | 93 | 93* | - | 6 | 8 |
| 3 | Ajinkya Rahane | RPS | 2 | 2 | 0 | 79 | 60 | 39.5 | 7 | 4 |
| 4 | Gautam Gambhir | KKR | 1 | 1 | 1 | 76 | 76* | - | 12 | 0 |
| 5 | Ben Stokes | RPS | 2 | 2 | 0 | 71 | 50 | 35.5 | 5 | 3 |
| 6 | Suresh Raina | GL | 1 | 1 | 1 | 66 | 66* | - | 7 | 0 |
| 7 | Yuvraj Singh | SH | 1 | 1 | 0 | 62 | 62 | 62.0 | 7 | 3 |
| 8 | Moises Henriques | SH | 1 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 52 | 52.0 | 3 | 2 |
| 9 | Dinesh Karthik | GL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 47 | 47.0 | 6 | 2 |
| 10 | Glenn Maxwell | KXIP | 1 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 44* | - | 2 | 4 |
Smith hit 84 not out on Thursday in RPS' clash with Mumbai Indians, and he added another 26 to his total on Saturday before being caught by Manan Vohra in the ninth over after he failed to deal with an awkward ball from Marcus Stoinis.
Pune were struggling for runs until all-rounder Stokes came to the crease.
He managed just 21 on his debut for Supergiant but followed that up with 50 against Kings XI from just 32 balls, including five boundaries.
Cricket commentator Ayaz Memon hailed his impact:
Manoj Tiwary's unbeaten 40 also proved crucial in helping Pune set their total, but they struggled to trouble Punjab with ball in hand.
Glenn Maxwell and David Miller's fruitful partnership saw Punjab surpass 163 comfortably, with the former smashing 44 from only 20 balls.
On Friday, Lynn came close to scoring the season's first century as he helped KKR beat Gujarat at a canter.
The Australian hit eight sixes and six fours overall while batting partner Gautam Gambhir scored 76 runs, with both players opening the innings and finishing it not out having accumulated the 184 runs they needed between them in under 15 overs.
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle marvelled at the duo:
The pair will look to add to their tallies against Mumbai on Sunday. If they're able to produce a similar performance, they may well continue Kolkata's perfect start to this year's competition.
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