Super Smith slams maiden T20 hundred

In a career which already boasts an Ashes whitewash, a World Cup win and an Allan Border Medal, Steve Smith achieved a rare first last night in the Indian Premier League.

Smith has been prolific in the Test and one-day formats, but on Friday night in Pune the Australia skipper scored his maiden Twenty20 century.

The 26-year-old eclipsed his previous best of 90 with a superb 101 from 54 balls batting for Pune Supergiants against the table-topping Gujarat Lions.

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But it could have been so different had Lions debutant spinner Shivil Kaushik not overstepped when Smith was bowled on 41.

The Australian clobbered the ensuing free hit for six over the long-off fielder's head – one of five maximums in his dig – as he powered to triple-figures for the first time.

The knock had all the characteristics of a signature Smith innings: the precision placement, the innovative stroke play and the ruthlessness that's seen him become one of the best batsmen on the planet.

Smith also accumulated his runs at a thunderous pace, scoring at 187 runs per hundred balls faced, an increase of 63 on his career T20 strike-rate of 124.

"I came in quite early in the Powerplay and when the ball is a bit new and the field is up you can play a few more shots," Smith told broadcaster Sony Six at the change of innings break.

"I probably got a little bit ahead of my normal strike-rate there. From there it was just going on with it.

"Obviously I had a bit of luck getting bowled off a no-ball but that's cricket and you've got to make the most of those days."

Entering at No.3 at the loss of opener Saurabh Tiwary in the third over, Smith wasted no time in setting an upbeat tempo when he tickled his first ball from Praveen Kumar to the fine leg rope for four.

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Smith collected two more boundaries off Kumar in the fourth over before picking off two more fours, and the free-hit six, on his way to a 29-ball half-century.

Four more sixes followed in his next 25 balls as he motored toward his maiden T20 century.

The trick shots were in full flow to the delight of the vociferous Pune faithful, including his remarkable whip between the legs, labelled the "dog shot" by commentator and champion Australia batsman Mike Hussey.

A meaty mow to the midwicket fence brought up his hundred in the final over, but Smith was out the following delivery when the "dog shot" went wrong – bowled by Dwayne Bravo off the inside edge.

Ultimately, his remarkable innings was in vain as Gujarat chased down Pune's total of 3-195 off the last ball of the match.