Steve Smith has been vindicated after England all-rounder Ben Stokes blasted 103 off 63 balls to score an Indian Premier League win for their Rising Pune Supergiants team over the Gujarat Lions on Monday.
The Australian Test captain says he pushed for Stokes to join the team before this year's player's auction, despite some doubts.
Local media were amused by Pune's move to land the 25-year-old, who was famously clobbered for four successive sixes by West Indies' Carlos Brathwaite in the final of last year's World Twenty20 tournament.
Pune had been reeling at 3-10 in their chase of 162 when Stokes walked out to bat and the tattooed all-rounder went on to hit six sixes and seven boundaries.
"That was an amazing innings - under pressure, came in at three for nothing and to play the way he did, he timed his innings beautifully and took the game on at the right time," Smith said.
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"We were very excited to get him. I had said before the auction to the guys (owners), 'just do what you have to get him,'" Smith said.
"All-rounders are so valuable in T20 cricket and he bats, bowls and fields well. He's a perfect fit for our team, particularly after Mitchell Marsh was ruled out as well.
"He's done a terrific job for us," added Smith. "We paid a big amount to get him. We know he's a quality player. (He) certainly earned his cash tonight."
