Pune look to reboot campaign

Pune, April 21: Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s form will remain in focus when the struggling Rising Pune Supergiant square off against defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL encounter on Saturday.

Playing only their second edition of the IPL, Pune are lying seventh in the table with four points after losing three matches and winning two in their last five outings so far.

Pune had suffered three successive losses but Steve Smith’s men snapped the losing streak with a win against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last outing and they will be eager to carry the momentum tomorrow.

For Pune, the form of former skipper Dhoni is a cause of concern. With scores like 12 not out, 5, 11, 5, 28, Dhoni looks far from being the swashbuckling batsman that he has been in the past.

Regarded as one of the game’s best finishers, Dhoni’s performance has always been the key for his former team Chennai Super Kings, a side he led to the title in the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Pune would hope he gets his midas touch back.

Pune’s batting has so far revolved around skipper Smith and Ajinkya Rahane, who have been their best run-scorers.

After their last match, Smith decided to take a short six-day tour of Dubai with his wife and baby. The break should rejuvenate the prolific Australian, whose form is crucial for the side.

All-rounder Ben Stokes, the costliest buy of IPL 10, too has contributed with a half century against Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

In the bowling department, leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been Pune’s best bowler with eight wickets, while Shardul Thakur and Stokes have also claimed fours wickets each. But the team’s bowling still lacks the zing which is required to challenge a tough opponent.

Reigning champions Hyderabad, on the other hand, have been pretty consistent with four wins out of six matches to be placed at the third position.

— PTI