Indian Premier League: Brendon McCullum Revives World Cup Form With Explosive Century

Brendon McCullum had smashed 328 runs from nine matches at a strike rate of 188.5 during the World Cup. On Saturday he continued where he had left off by sending Sunrisers Hyderabad on a wild leather hunt to bring up his second hundred in the Indian Premier League. The New Zealand captain's first ton had come for the Kolkata Knight Riders in Bangalore on April 18, 2008 - The first match of the inaugural edition. It was also the first century of IPL 8.(Scorecard | Blog)

Off late, Mccullum has looked to attack whatever is bowled to him. He charged down the track to fellow Black Caps player Trent Boult, who by the way was making his IPL debut and then tried to do the same with Ishant Sharma. He often looked ungainly in the initial phase of his innings but soon found his groove and tore apart the Hyderabad attack.

McCullum shared a 75-run opening stand with Dwayne Smith in 8.1 overs and did not slow down even after losing his partner. With Suresh Raina in the middle, the dangerous New Zealand batsman continued to look for the boundaries and found the ropes more often than not.

The Kiwi skipper had a close call when Kane Williamson misjudged a catch when he was on 85. He eventually reached the 3-figure mark in 56 balls off the last ball of the final over. The innings contained 7 fours and 9 sixes. He also found an able ally in Chennai captain MS Dhoni, who smashed 53 off 29 balls.

McCullum had got the first edition of the IPL to an electrifying start with an unbeaten 158 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. But he had lost that touch somewhere over the last few years before regaining his destructive reputation over the last season. Debuting for the Super Kings in 2014, he had 333 runs in 14 matches at a strike-rate of 121.62 with three half-centuries. In the World Cup Down Under, he was a man possessed and barely spared anyone hurling a leather ball at him.

The Super Kings have a daunting line-up and Mccullum's scary form at the start of the new season should breathe further life into the squad. This century may only be a sign of things to come.