Give Giants super win against Mumbai
The duo hits blistering fifties to give Rising Pune Supergiant a winning start at home
PUNE:Mumbai Indians’ luck with the IPL opening clash did not change as they slumped to their fifth straight loss as Rising Pune Supergiant won by seven wickets on Thursday.
RPS skipper Steve Smith slammed a half-century on his captaincy debut while his teammate Ajinkya Rahane scored 60 as the hosts chased down MI’s 184 for eight with a ball to spare.
The MCA Stadium is soon becoming a happy hunting ground for Smith. The RPS skipper continued his good form into the IPL as well with a composed 54-ball unbeaten 84 (7x4s, 3x6s).
Smith had scored a brilliant century on a tricky Pune pitch during the first Test win over India last month. Smith did not take unnecessary risks, but ensured to give as much strike as possible to Rahane. With 13 required off the final over, Smith slammed two consecutive sixes to midwicket to finish in style.
RAHANE IN FULL FLOW Rahane gave just the kind of start Pune needed. After losing opener Mayank Agarwal early, Rahane and Smith put on 58 runs for the second wicket.
Rahane brought up his halfcentury with a boundary off Hardik Pandya. But Pandya’s younger brother Krunal managed to dismiss Rahane for 60 after a stunning catch by Nitish Rana at deep square leg.
TAHIR’S A TREAT
World No 1 T20 spinner Imran Tahir proved with his performance on Thursday that it was a mistake to ignore him in first place after going unsold in the auction. Tahir, who was brought in as replacement for injured Shaun Marsh, claimed three wickets for 28 runs for RPS.
Tahir’s wrong’un straightaway rewarded him with the wicket of Patel (19), who was bowled round his legs. Tahir’s second over produced two big MI wickets – skipper Rohit Sharma (3) and the dangerous Buttler (38).
Just as Tahir’s celebratory run had ended with Rohit’s wicket, the leggie was off to another one after Buttler was adjudged leg-before on 38 off 19 balls.
STOKES STRUGGLES
Ben Stokes, the most high profile player after RPS bought him for a record ~14.5 crore had a tough IPL debut after finishing with 4-0-36-1.
Stokes conceded 13 runs off his first over after his England teammate Buttler belted two consecutive sixes.