10th edition of Indian Premier League continues to be high scoring with 371 runs being scored in second game of the season played between Pune Supergiants and Mumbai Indians. Even before the start, the game was hyped to be a high voltage one and it proved to be exactly the same. Both the teams were in the game till half of the last over with RPS needing 10 off last 3 deliveries. Steve Smith showed the class which has been his style throughout this season with two consecutive sixes to see Pune home in a thriller.
Winning the toss, Pune decided to chase at MCA Stadium Pune. Parthiv Patel was at his usual flow with aggressive start. He hit 4 boundaries in 14 ball 19 to give a flying start to Mumbai Indians. Jus Buttler was more aggressive of the two in his 19 ball 38 with 3 fours and 3 sixes. The opening partnership gave a solid base to capitalise for a big total by adding 45 runs in 4.2 over. There were a great amount of expectations from captain Rohit Sharma, but he struggled in the middle before eventually getting out on 3. Mumbai lacked a big individual score, however, quick-fire cameos from Nitish Rana (28 ball 34), Kieron Polard (17 ball 27) and Hardik Pandya (15 ball 35) made sure Mumbai had an above par score of 184 to defend.
Imran Tahir was the pick of bowlers for RPS and at one time, his figures showed 2-0-9-3. He finished with 3-28 with an economy rate of 7. Rajat Bhatia was handy as usual with his medium pace and once again, he showed why he is the silent match winner. In his 3 overs, Rajat Bhatia gave away just 14 runs and took 2 crucial wickets of Ambati Rayudu and Krunal Pandya. Ashok Dinda, one of the most economical bowlers of the previous seasons, did not have a great start to this year’s IPL and he gave away 57 runs in his quota of 4 overs.
Chasing 185, RPS had a good start with the openers adding 31 in 3.5 overs. Ajinkya Rahane was at his sublime best and he raced past his opening partner Mayank Agarwal. In the opening partnership of 31, Mayank Agarwal contributed just 6. Once he was out, there was no stopping for the in-form duo of Rahane and Steven Smith. Though the pair added only 58 together, the partnership laid a base for the chase, making RPS favourites for the game. Rahane got out for 60 in 11th over whereas Smith remained unbeaten at 84 in 54 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Ben Stokes, the newest foreign millionaire of IPL then played a little cameo before MS Dhoni made sure no further damage was done.
At the start of the last over, both the teams had their chances with RPS needing 13 off 6. First 3 deliveries brought 3 singles before the newly appointed captain finished off with consecutive sixes to start a winning campaign for Pune.
Tim Southee, Hardik Pandya and Mitchell McClenaghan,, all picked one wicket apiece but failed to leave any mark. The game was won with some class batting by Rahane and Steven Smith and disciplined bowling by Imran Tahir, Rajat Bhatia, Ben Stokes and Adam Zampa.