Stokes fires Supergiant aspirations
Pune — Ben Stokes’ swashbuckling unbeaten knock of 103 off 63 balls powered Rising Pune Supergiant to a five-wicket win over Gujarat Lions at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Monday.
Chasing Gujarat Lions’ total of 161 all out in 19.5 overs, Supergiant survived some anxious moments before Stokes brilliance took the match away from Lions. Stokes smashed six sixes and seven boundaries.
Earlier, leg-spinner Imran Tahir (3/27) and medium pacer Jaydev Unadkat (3/29) starred for Rising Pune Supergiant.
Gujarat got off to a good start, with Brendon McCullum (45; 27b; 5x4, 2x6) and Ishan Kishan (31; 24b; 3x4, 2x6) putting up a 55-run stand for the opening wicket in six overs. But Tahir’s smart bowling, coupled with some reckless batting from the visitors, meant that Gujarat needed Dinesh Karthik’s damage control effort of 29 to reach 161.
Jharkhand teenager Ishan was particularly impressive, showing his stroke-making skills after a quiet first three overs. McCullum too matched him shot-by-shot as they gave Gujarat a decent start.
Tahir broke the stand as Ishan was caught by Washington Sundar at short third man. Suresh Raina (8) too perished soon, falling short of attempting a double of his own batting as Ajinkya Rahane threw to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to get rid of the visiting captain, with Gujarat at 71/2 in eight overs.
South African Tahir continued his fine bowling as he sent back Aaron Finch and Dwayne Smith in successive deliveries in the 10th over, as Gujarat were reduced to 94/4. While Finch gave a return catch, Smith was undone by a googly as he swung his bat.
McCullum, who saw all the wickets crumbling in front of him, was the next one to go, after being caught by Rahane at extra cover off Shardul Thakur’s bowling, as Gujarat lost their fifth wicket for 109 in 11.5 overs. It was a reckless shot from the New Zealander, who should not have taken the risk at that point of time.
Later, Karthik and Ravindra Jadeja (19 off 12) tried their best to take Gujarat past 160. —