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Kings XI Punjab vs Rising Pune Supergiant Live Commentary, Match 4, Indian Premier League, 2017, April 8, 2017

RPS 163/6 (20)
Kings XI Punjab beat Rising Pune Supergiant by 6 wickets
KXIP 164/4 (19)
Match over
Rising Pune Supergiant Inning Kings XI Punjab Inning
0.0 : Welcome, ladies and gents, for what promises to be an explosive contest from the looks of the players lined up in both sides. Pune will be a confident bunch after Steven Smith's heroics got them over the line in a last-over thriller. Maybe a change or two given the pitch conditions. Have some interesting choices to make from the bench, so should be fun to see who comes in.
Punjab are going to start their campaign and it'll be interesting to see who features in the team. The hosts have some hard-hitters and it'll be difficult to pick out of them. The first three matches will be played at the Holkar stadium in Indore. A small ground, dynamite characters on either side and a flat track... Mouthwatering stuff! Start licking your lips, people. The toss is about to come up in a bit.
TOSS - PUNJAB WIN THE TOSS AND ELECT TO BOWL FIRST!
PUNJAB SKIPPER, GLENN MAXWELL says they will bowl first. Adds the wicket is flat just like it was during the practice games and hence they want to chase. Informs about the 4 overseas players, they are Amla, Miller, Stoinis and he himself.
PUNE SKIPPER, STEVEN SMITH says even he wanted to bowl as the stats suggest teams chasing have done better here. Hopes that they manage to put up a good first innings total on the board and then defend it down later. Stresses on the need to improve from the last game and feels that the wicket would remain the same over the course of 40 overs. Informs that they have made 2 changes - Daniel Christian and Rahul Chahar come in for Adam Zampa and Deepak Chahar.
Punjab XI - Hashim Amla, Manan Vohra, Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Glenn Maxwell(c), David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Swapnil Singh, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Thangarasu Natarajan.
Pune XI - Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal, Steven Smith(c), Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni(wk), Manoj Tiwary, Daniel Christian, Rajat Bhatia, Rahul Chahar, Imran Tahir, Ashok Dinda.
It's time to get underway. The umpires and players have made their way out to the middle. It shall be Mayank Agarwal and Ajinkya Rahane to open the batting for Pune. Punjab to begin with Sandeep Sharma first up. He has a fly slip in place. Here we go!!!
0.1 : S Sharma to A Rahane, On a length and just outside off, Rahane dabs it towards short third man for a single to get off the mark. There was a shy at the striker's end but it misses.
0.2 : S Sharma to M Agarwal, Fuller and angling in on middle, Agarwal drives it firmly but finds mid on.
0.3 : S Sharma to M Agarwal, A stifled appeal for an LBW! Angles in a length delivery on middle and leg, Mayank Agarwal gets across to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Sandeep appeals but it was going down leg.
0.4 : S Sharma to M Agarwal, Length delivery on middle, defended off the back foot.
0.5 : S Sharma to M Agarwal, OUT! Timberrrrrr! Sandeep Sharma strikes! Hurls it on a length and gets it to curl back in a shade as Mayank Agarwal comes down the track to play at it. Is beaten by the inward moment as the ball sneaks through and disturbs the furniture behind. Sandeep Sharma has his right hand pointing skywards and Maxwell comes barging towards him. Another flop show from Mayank!
Pune skipper Steven Smith walks into the middle next to bat. Played a blinder in the first game of the tournament, can he do something similar today as well?
0.6 : S Sharma to S Smith, Keeps it full and around off, Smith pushes it off the outer part of the bat towards cover-point.
Mohit Sharma will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : M Sharma to A Rahane, Good length delivery on middle and leg, clipped off the pads towards short fine leg.
1.2 : M Sharma to A Rahane, Back of a length delivery outside off, Rahane dabs it nicely towards short third man for a single.
1.3 : M Sharma to S Smith, Back of a length, served outside off, Smith goes back and punches it straight to the man at covers.
1.4 : M Sharma to S Smith, Beaten! Tempts him by hurling it outside off, Smith opts for a full-blooded slash but the ball zips through and just beats the inside edge of the bat.
1.5 : M Sharma to S Smith, A length delivery once again in the channel outside off, Smith looks to punch but gets it off the bottom edge towards the off side. Giving no room to free the arms.
1.6 : M Sharma to S Smith, Gets it away this time! Sprayed outside off, Smith uses the pace to guide it fine towards third man. The Pune skipper is off the mark! Lovely first over from Mohit, just 2 off it!
2.1 : S Sharma to S Smith, Good length outside off, Smith gets across and tucks it past short mid-wicket for a single.
2.2 : S Sharma to A Rahane, Keeps it in the corridor outside off, Ajinkya opens the face of the bat and glides it down to third man for a comfortable single.
2.3 : S Sharma to S Smith, Good length delivery on off, a bit of extra bounce on that occasion as Smith plays a punchy drive towards mid off for one.
2.4 : S Sharma to A Rahane, On a length and outside off, Rahane dabs it straight to short third man.
2.5 : S Sharma to A Rahane, Fuller and gets it to angle in from outside off, Rahane presses forward and works it through square leg for one. Rahane is happy to give strike to his skipper.
2.6 : S Sharma to S Smith, Marginally ahead of a length on off, Steven prods forward and drives it straight to the cover fielder. Another excellent over from Sandeep!
3.1 : M Sharma to A Rahane, This was expected! Runs aren't coming and Rahane tries to take the risk! Mohit bowls a length delivery, close to the off stump, Jinx skips down the track to hoick it across the line but fails it put bat on ball. It missed the off stump by a whisker.
3.2 : M Sharma to A Rahane, In the air... dropped! What have you done Manan Vohra? Should have taken it! Good length delivery outside off, Rahane ends up scooping it in the air towards covers. Vohra had enough time to get underneath it but he makes a complete meal of that one. A single taken.
3.3 : M Sharma to S Smith, Gets across and whips it through square leg for a single.
3.4 : M Sharma to A Rahane, SIX! That's some shot! Short of a length delivery on middle, Rahane responds it with a mighty pull. He swivels a touch and sends it soaring over backward square leg for a biggie. That should get him going.
3.5 : M Sharma to A Rahane, FOUR! Deft touch! This will hurt the hosts! Rahane uses the pace of the bowler, opens the face of the bat and glides it beautifully down to third man for a boundary.
3.6 : M Sharma to A Rahane, Back of a length outside off, Rahane once again guides it towards third man. This time there is a fielder to mop it up. Could have been a superb over had Vohra taken the catch.
4.1 : S Sharma to A Rahane, Full length ball from Sandeep Sharma, Rahane drives it down to long on for a single.
4.2 : S Sharma to S Smith, Another one of the fuller side, this time Steven Smith drives it towards long on and picks up a single.
4.3 : S Sharma to A Rahane, Length ball tailing back in a bit on middle and leg, tucked away comfortably on the leg side for a run.
4.4 : S Sharma to S Smith, FOUR! Beautiful shot. Very classy stuff from Steven Smith. He stays deep inside his crease to this, it's on a length and well outside off, he punches it solidly through the covers and sends it across the rope.
4.5 : S Sharma to S Smith, FOUR! Shot. He's decided he's had enough. Length delivery around off, Steven Smith charges down, goes inside out and pierces the gap between cover and cover-point for consecutive boundaries.
4.6 : S Sharma to S Smith, Shaping back in on the pads, Smith clips it behind square on the leg side and will retain strike with the single.
Axar Patel to roll his arm over!
5.1 : A Patel to S Smith, Full and around off, driven towards mid off for nothing.
5.2 : A Patel to S Smith, Flatter one around middle, clipped through square leg for a single.
5.3 : A Patel to A Rahane, Fires it around middle and leg, nudged through the leg side for a single.
5.4 : A Patel to S Smith, Quicker through the air around middle and leg, Smith goes back to pull but the ball sneaks through his legs and Saha behind the sticks fails to gather it cleanly.
5.5 : A Patel to S Smith, Short and stays a bit low, Smith once again opts for the pull but this time is hit on the pads.
5.6 : A Patel to S Smith, Full around middle, flicked through wide mid on for a single. Good stuff from Punjab this, just 35 from the Powerplay and could have been better had they taken Rahane's catch.
Thangarasu Natarajan comes into the attack now.
6.1 : T Natarajan to S Smith, Good length, angling across, Smith arches back and punches it through covers for a single.
6.2 : T Natarajan to A Rahane, OUT! Rahane departs! Punjab will be happy that he couldn't make them pay for the earlier dropped chance! Hurls across a full length delivery, Rahane extends his arms to lofts it over extra cover. It goes aerially towards Stoinis who comes running in and almost loses it in the sun but manages to gobble it down. He signals towards the sun afterwards but that doesn't matter as they have removed both the Pune openers.
Ben Stokes is the next batsman in.
6.3 : T Natarajan to S Smith, Length ball outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers.
6.4 : T Natarajan to S Smith, FOUR! High class shot! That's certainly the shot of the match! Fuller in length and on the stumps, Steven Smith leans forward and caresses it ever so neatly down the ground. Beats mid off and rockets towards the fence.
6.5 : T Natarajan to S Smith, Short of a length delivery on middle and leg, pulled through backward square leg for a couple.
6.6 : T Natarajan to S Smith, Sprayed full and wide outside off, Smith goes after it as he tries to squeeze it out but fails to do so. A successful over from Natarajan!
7.1 : A Patel to Ben Stokes, Flatter around middle, knocked down to long on for a single.
7.2 : A Patel to S Smith, Floats it up around middle, eased towards mid on for a single.
7.3 : A Patel to Ben Stokes, Flattish around the hips, clipped fine down the leg side for one more.
7.4 : A Patel to S Smith, Smith comes down the track and works it towards mid-wicket for a single.
7.5 : A Patel to Ben Stokes, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
7.6 : A Patel to S Smith, Sloppy! Tossed up outside off, Smith advances down the track and drives it towards short extra cover. The fielder there dives but the ball goes through and that will keep Smith on strike.
Marcus Stoinis is brought into the bowling attack.
8.1 : M Stoinis to S Smith, Wide! Short and strangling down the leg side, Smith looks to pull it but fails to get any wood on it. He is fumed at himself to not help it fine.
M Stoinis to S Smith, OUT! In the air... taken! Manan Vohra holds onto this one! Steven Smith is out of here and boy, Stoinis is all pumped up. Why won't he be? He's got the big fish! Angles in a short of a length delivery, seems to have come slowly off the deck. Smith looks to pull but maybe he's a bit early into the shot. Gets a top edge that flies towards deep square leg where Vohra settles under it this time. He just about manages to stay away from the ropes. Timely strike for Mohali.
Time Out has been taken!
MS Dhoni walks into the middle next.
8.2 : M Stoinis to Ben Stokes, Back of a length delivery outside off, Stokes punches it towards Maxwell at extra cover who misfields and that allows them to take a single.
8.3 : M Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Wide! Fires one down the leg side, Dhoni looks to flick but fails to do so cleanly. Seemed like it brushed the pads on its way but the umpire feels the other way.
M Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Good length around off, Dhoni looks to defend but it hits the shoulder of the bat and dies down just in front of the bowler.
8.4 : M Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Good length delivery outside off, Dhoni looks to push it away from the body and almost chops it on as the ball just evades the sticks via an inside edge towards fine leg. A single taken.
8.5 : M Stoinis to Ben Stokes, Good length delivery on middle, pushed down to long on for a single.
8.6 : M Stoinis to MS Dhoni, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Swapnil Singh will bowl now.
9.1 : S Singh to Ben Stokes, Floats it up around off, Stokes clears the front leg and knocks it down to long on for a single.
9.2 : S Singh to MS Dhoni, Loopy delivery around off, Dhoni comes down the track and defends it down.
9.3 : S Singh to MS Dhoni, Fractionally short and outside off, it's cracked off the back foot past a diving point fielder for a single.
9.4 : S Singh to Ben Stokes, Gets on the front foot and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.
9.5 : S Singh to MS Dhoni, Allows the ball to come and then flicks it to deep mid-wicket for just a single.
9.6 : S Singh to Ben Stokes, SIX! Booom! Stokes has picked the bones outta that one! Tossed up delivery around middle and leg, Stokes clears his front leg and goes bang over mid-wicket for a biggie all the way. A much-needed hit for Pune.
10.1 : M Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Back of a length delivery from Stoinis, tight line and giving Dhoni no room, who can only rise and tap it down on the track.
10.2 : M Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Just back of a length, on middle, Dhoni works it in front of mid-wicket and sets off for the run. Maxwell from mid on runs to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end and almost hits Dhoni in the process. Lucky it didn't hit him.
10.3 : M Stoinis to Ben Stokes, Short of a length on the stumps, Stokes gets an inside edge down to fine leg as he attempts to pull. The ball is skidding a bit off the surface which is making it a little difficult for the batsmen to play.
10.4 : M Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Wide! Shortish and going down leg, wide called.
M Stoinis to MS Dhoni, Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, MS walks across and tucks in on the leg side for a quick run.
10.5 : M Stoinis to Ben Stokes, FOUR! EDGED AND AWAY! Lucky runs for Ben Stokes. Fuller length delivery outside off, the southpaw covers all three stumps and looks to whack it over the covers. Ends up getting a thick edge which flies through the vacant slip cordon and goes away to the fence.
10.6 : M Stoinis to Ben Stokes, Fired full and across, Stokes hammers it straight to the mid off fielder. Unfortunate, had connected really well on that occasion.
11.1 : S Singh to MS Dhoni, Short, flat and around off, Dhoni off his back foot offers a solid punch to the extra cover fielder.
11.2 : S Singh to MS Dhoni, OUT! This is a soft dismissal. Dhoni will be disappointed with himself seeing that. Tossed up on middle and off, Dhoni just lofts it straight back to the bowler. Swapnil Singh gets low, fumbles it twice before collecting it on the third attempt. Close call. Pretty sure he had his heart in his mouth. But, he and Punjab would be very relieved seeing the back of MS Dhoni. Big wicket for the hosts.
Manoj Tiwary walks in next, replacing Dhoni!
11.3 : S Singh to M Tiwary, Drifting in on middle and leg, flicked behind square on the leg side for a single. Manoj Tiwary is off the mark.
11.4 : S Singh to Ben Stokes, Drags his length back on this occasion and bowls it flat, Stokes gets back and whips it through mid-wicket for one.
11.5 : S Singh to M Tiwary, Confusion! Tiwary flicks it towards mid on and the bowler himself goes after it. Stokes is busy ball-watching but they take the single in the end.
11.6 : S Singh to Ben Stokes, Darts it full and flat on the stumps, no trouble for Ben Stokes to pick it off his pads and flick it through to deep square leg for a single.
Natarajan is back into the attack!
12.1 : T Natarajan to Ben Stokes, Natarajan comes steaming in and at 134 kph, fires it full and angles it in on middle and off, Stokes leans across and wrists it down to wide long on for a single.
12.2 : T Natarajan to M Tiwary, Almost chopped it back on! Back of a length going across, very close to the off pole, Tiwary looks to run it down to third man but gets an inside edge past the leg stump for a single.
12.3 : T Natarajan to Ben Stokes, Takes some of the pace off this and hurls it on a length on leg, picked off the pads by Ben as he flicks it in front of square for a run.
12.4 : T Natarajan to M Tiwary, FOUR! Glam shot from Manoj Tiwary. Very full and wide outside off, Tiwary reaches out to it, middles it well as he lofts it over the covers. Falls just inside the rope and he'll pick up a one bounce boundary.
12.5 : T Natarajan to M Tiwary, On the shorter side of the length, outside off, punched off the back foot to the covers for a single.
12.6 : T Natarajan to Ben Stokes, Full on the stumps, driven to long on for a single.
Time Out taken!
Axar Patel is back on!
13.1 : A Patel to Ben Stokes, Fires it flat and outside off, smacked through covers for a single.
13.2 : A Patel to M Tiwary, Quicker one around off, nudged off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single.
13.3 : A Patel to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Finds the gap and finds it well. A half-tracker from Axar Patel, Stokes stands his ground and with brute force, pulls it through the square leg region for a boundary. Beats the man out in the deep with that, needs to get a move on now.
13.4 : A Patel to Ben Stokes, SIX! BANG! Safest place to hit, one of his favourite areas too. Full, flat and outside off, Stokes kneels down and smacks it with a lot of power. Goes downtown, dead straight and clears the boundary with so much ease.
13.5 : A Patel to Ben Stokes, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
13.6 : A Patel to M Tiwary, Brings the wrists into play, works it away on the leg side for a single.
14.1 : T Natarajan to M Tiwary, Length ball angling across, Tiwary walks across, attempts the paddle shot but fails to make connection.
14.2 : T Natarajan to M Tiwary, Around off on a good length, a mistimed punch through extra cover sees Ben Stokes come back on strike.
14.3 : T Natarajan to Ben Stokes, Full delivery angling in on the pads, flicked away on the leg side for a run.
14.4 : T Natarajan to M Tiwary, SIX! Unreal shot. Waited for the width, got it and hit this out of the park. Tiwary it very full outside off, he gets down and slices it nicely over backward point for a maximum. Actually went some ways into the stands. Good shot.
14.5 : T Natarajan to M Tiwary, Length delivery outside off, run down to third man by Tiwary for one run.
14.6 : T Natarajan to Ben Stokes, Yorker on off, dug back out towards extra cover for a single. Stokes will retain strike, it's important for Pune that he keep most of it.
Marcus Stoinis is called back into the attack!
15.1 : M Stoinis to Ben Stokes, Length delivery on the pads, Ben flicks it through mid-wicket. Runs the first one hard and comes back for the second. Dives at the last moment and that's enough to get back in. Saha fumbled while collecting the throw but don't think that would have mattered much. Good running.
15.2 : M Stoinis to Ben Stokes, SIX! WOW! Monstrous hit from Ben Stokes! Short of a length on off, Stokes gives a big charge and connects the pull as good as anybody probably would. And with the kind of power he possesses, it's no wonder the ball travels like a rocket. Clears the wide long on rope and that'll be a flat biggie.
15.3 : M Stoinis to Ben Stokes, Full on leg, Stokes brings out the reverse sweep and places it through the covers for a single.
15.4 : M Stoinis to M Tiwary, Back of a length delivery on off, Tiwary pulls it through to deep mid-wicket for a run.
15.5 : M Stoinis to Ben Stokes, Just short of a length, a bit straight as Stoinis bowls it on middle and leg, Stokes off the inside half pulls it to deep backward square leg. Will get a single for doing so.
15.6 : M Stoinis to M Tiwary, FOUR! Too, too straight from Stoinis and he's paid the price. A bit short, Manoj Tiwary leans across a touch and glances it across the fine leg fence for a boundary.
Mohit Sharma is back on!
16.1 : M Sharma to Ben Stokes, Big swing and a miss! Mohit Sharma hurls across a fuller length delivery, around off, Stokes looks to murder this across the line but misses it completely.
16.2 : M Sharma to Ben Stokes, An attempted yorker which Ben takes on the full by coming down the track, he drills it to long on. Gets another run to his name.
Stokes has a change of bat!
16.3 : M Sharma to M Tiwary, Extremely full outside off, Manoj with an open face dabs it towards short third man. Hares across and manages to complete a brisk single.
16.4 : M Sharma to Ben Stokes, The slower one, which Stokes does not exactly pick up. Swings a little early and ends up slogging it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket for one.
16.5 : M Sharma to M Tiwary, Good fielding effort. Tiwary drives this half volley and drives it towards extra cover. The fielder there dives to his right and makes a good diving stop. The batsmen can only manage a single as a result.
16.6 : M Sharma to Ben Stokes, Fifty for Ben Stokes! A high class knock from the southpaw when his team was under pressure. He drills this full ball to long on for a single.
Maiden Indian T20 League fifty for Ben Stokes!
Axar Patel to bowl his last over!
17.1 : A Patel to Ben Stokes, Wide! Darts this down the leg side, Stokes looks to wildly pull it away but misses. Wide called.
A Patel to Ben Stokes, Wide! This one is fired way outside off, Stokes with a wild swing at it but misses. The umpire, however, signals it as a wide.
A Patel to Ben Stokes, Full and flat on the pads, goes off the pads as he looks to swing hard. A leg bye taken.
17.2 : A Patel to M Tiwary, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
17.3 : A Patel to Ben Stokes, OUT! STOKES DEPARTS! But not before playing a super knock for Pune. It's flat and outside off, Stokes hangs back and pulls it straight in Axar Patel's direction. He is alert to it and takes an excellent catch just above his head. The big English all-rounder is out of here.
Daniel Christian is the new man in!
17.4 : A Patel to D Christian, Flatter ball outside off, Christian looks to work it away on the leg sdie but gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball rolls away on the off side. They look for a single but Saha is quick to mop it up.
17.5 : A Patel to D Christian, Flicked away on the leg side and a single is taken.
17.6 : A Patel to M Tiwary, On the shorter side once more, outside off, punched off the back foot to end the over.
18.1 : M Sharma to D Christian, Mohit with an attempted yorker which just misses, ends up bowling a low full toss which is hit down to long on by Daniel Christian for one.
18.2 : M Sharma to M Tiwary, SIX! Tiwary just smokes that. Goes straight and it's right off the meat of the bat. Stands tall to this full delivery and clears the long on boundary. Goes flat and bang into the stands.
18.3 : M Sharma to M Tiwary, Short into the body, pulled away to deep square leg for a single.
18.4 : M Sharma to D Christian, Length delivery on middle and leg, a back-of-the-hand slower delivery, Christian plays a pick up shot over square leg. Manan Vohra out in the deep runs to his right and slides to take it but it falls just short of him. Just a run taken.
18.5 : M Sharma to M Tiwary, FOUR! Beautiful placement. Tiwary is providing some vital runs here towards the end. He whips this length delivery powerfully through mid-wicket and beats a diving Axar Patel out in the deep for a boundary.
18.6 : M Sharma to M Tiwary, On a good length on off, mistimes it back through mid on. Single taken to end the over.
Sandeep Sharma to bowl the final over of the innings!
19.1 : S Sharma to M Tiwary, Sandeep Sharma comes from around the wicket and executes this well, doesn't exactly get the yorker right but it's enough to cramp Tiwary for room. It's a low full toss which is whipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.
19.2 : S Sharma to D Christian, FOUR! Really poor ball and Christian puts it away easily. It's way, way down the leg side, Daniel gets low and takes it on the full. Paddles it fine down the leg side for a boundary.
19.3 : S Sharma to D Christian, FOUR! Better ball but an even better shot from Daniel Christian. Takes it on the full once more, shuffles across and scoops it over the keeper's head for a boundary.
19.4 : S Sharma to D Christian, SIX! BAM AND THAT'S OUTTA HERE! He's an excellent player to have in such a situation. It's banged in short from over the wicket, Christian gets on top of the bounce and pulls it high and handsome over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
19.5 : S Sharma to D Christian, OUT! Christian is gone but he's played a solid little cameo here for Pune, just what his side needed. Very full on off, he looks to clear the long on boundary but gets it off the toe end. Doesn't get the distance and it's into Maxwell's hands who runs in and dives forward to collect.
Rajat Bhatia is the new man in!
19.6 : S Sharma to M Tiwary, Quite full yet again, Manoj Tiwary kind of scuffs his shot. Manages to get it down towards Maxwell at long on who charges to the ball. They want the second but then decide against it. A big final over for Pune, 16 runs have come off it. They'll be quite happy at the sight. So with that, PUNE FINISH ON 163/6!
Excellent score racked up by Pune after being put into bat! They didn't get off to a start that they would have liked but have recovered stupendously towards the end. Punjab were right on the money in the Powerplay and then removed Rahane, Smith and Dhoni rather quickly. Amidst the stutter, the costliest player, Ben Stokes stepped up to the occasion and slammed the ball around the park with a breezy fifty.
Stokes and Tiwary continued to motor along as they threaded a 61-run stand in just 37 balls. Daniel Christian towards the end smoked a couple of meaty blows to take the score past the 160-run mark, which on this wicket looks highly competitive. Punjab will be disappointed to have lost the plot towards the end but overall they had a good outing with the ball. Sandeep Sharma picked up 2, while Axar, Natarajan, Stoinis and Swapnil Singh got one apiece. They would believe they have the firepower in
0.0 : Welcome back for the run chase. Out come the Punjab openers - Hashim Amla and Manan Vohra. Pune start off with Ashok Dinda first up. A slip in place. Let's play!!!
0.1 : A Dinda to H Amla, Serves it on a length and just around off, Amla dabs it towards the off side.
0.2 : A Dinda to H Amla, On a length and outside off, Hashim pushes it towards point.
0.3 : A Dinda to H Amla, FOUR! Edged and away! Dinda bowls a length delivery, moves away a touch as Amla goes hard at it. Gets a thick outside edge which flies wide of first slip for a boundary towards third man.
0.4 : A Dinda to H Amla, In the air... safe! Fuller in length on off, Amla chips it a bit uppishly through covers for a single.
0.5 : A Dinda to M Vohra, Vohra stands tall, uses the pace and glides it down to third man for a single.
0.6 : A Dinda to H Amla, Doles out a back of a length outside off, Hashim dabs it towards short third man.
Daniel Chrisitan to bowl from the other end!
1.1 : D Christian to M Vohra, Beaten! Good carry and that's surprised Dhoni as well! On a length and angles it in, straightens a bit as Vohra has a tame push at it. It whizzes past the outside edge and Dhoni behind the stumps hops to take it.
1.2 : D Christian to M Vohra, Wide! Sprays it down the leg, Vohra tries flicking it but misses. A good take by Dhoni behind.
D Christian to M Vohra, FOUR! Nicely done! Vohra makes the most of the width that is on offer. Christian hits the deck hard, Vohra lifts it over backward point for a one bounce boundary.
1.3 : D Christian to M Vohra, Pitched on middle and leg, Manan flicks it over mid-wicket for a single. Good looking shot that but there was a protection in the deep.
1.4 : D Christian to H Amla, Back of a length ball outside off, punched a bit square of the wicket on the off side for a single.
1.5 : D Christian to M Vohra, Wide! Strangles it down the leg side, Vohra has got nothing to do with it.
D Christian to M Vohra, Fuller in length on off, Vohra opts for a booming drive but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a single.
1.6 : D Christian to H Amla, FOUR! Those are easy pickings! Angles it on the pads, Amla gets inside the line and clips it neatly through backward square leg for a boundary. 13 off the over!
2.1 : A Dinda to M Vohra, SIX! Tonk! Yes, that's the sound it made when it went off the bat! Dinda bowls a length delivery on middle, Vohra skips down the track and absolutely murders it with a flat bat slap over the bowler's head for a biggie.
2.2 : A Dinda to M Vohra, Landed outside off, dabbed down to third man for a single.
2.3 : A Dinda to H Amla, Shortish on off, cut through point for a single.
2.4 : A Dinda to M Vohra, Bumper on middle, Vohra lets it go.
2.5 : A Dinda to M Vohra, OUT! Dinda strikes! Vohra departs in the quest of scoring quick runs! The bowler sees the batsman charging down the track and hence bangs it really short, it keeps climbing and gets really big on Vohra who still opts for the pull. Mistimes it high in the air towards mid-wicket where Manoj Tiwary takes a good catch. Pune get an early breakthrough.
Wriddhiman Saha is in at No.3.
2.6 : A Dinda to H Amla, Good length around off, punched towards mid off.
3.1 : D Christian to W Saha, Angles it on the pads, Saha misses the flick as the ball goes off the pads and goes towards Dhoni.
3.2 : D Christian to W Saha, FOUR! Delightful! Shortish in length, outside off, Saha stays back and scythes it through point to find the fence.
3.3 : D Christian to W Saha, Fuller and angling in on the pads, chipped on the bounce to mid on.
3.4 : D Christian to W Saha, Chance of a run out! Christian once again strangles it around middle and leg, Saha comes down the track to play at it but misses as the ball goes off the pads towards the off side. They look to steal a single as Stokes charges towards the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. A single taken.
3.5 : D Christian to H Amla, SIX! What a shot that is! Back of a length delivery outside off, Amla skips down the track and lifts it over mid off. Makes good connection and it goes sailing over the fence for a biggie.
3.6 : D Christian to H Amla, Outside off, wristed towards mid on. It goes on the bounce to the fielder.
Ben Stokes will bowl now.
4.1 : Ben Stokes to W Saha, In the air... dropped! That didn't stick! Was really a tough chance! Touch fuller around off, Saha comes forward and drives it on the up towards covers. Christian at short extra cover dives to his right but the ball bursts off his fingers and goes further. Had that stuck, it would have been a blinder. A single taken.
4.2 : Ben Stokes to H Amla, Fuller on off, Amla drags it towards mid on and luckily it doesn't carry to the fielder there.
4.3 : Ben Stokes to H Amla, The batsman has played it to the point region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
4.4 : Ben Stokes to W Saha, FOUR! Shot! Good length delivery outside off, Saha punches it on the up and it goes through covers. Pierced the gap to perfection there.
4.5 : Ben Stokes to W Saha, FOUR! Oh lovely! Touch fuller and outside off, Saha opts for the safest zone - down the ground. Clears mid off without much fuss and bags back-to-back boundaries to his name.
Third man comes inside the circle, mid on pushes back to the boundary.
4.6 : Ben Stokes to W Saha, Yorker on middle, Saha digs it out towards mid off.
Imran Tahir is introduced into the attack.
5.1 : I Tahir to H Amla, Full on middle and leg, flicked just wide of mid on for a single.
5.2 : I Tahir to W Saha, OUT! Tahir continues from where he left off in the first match. Strikes instantly. Beautiful. Bowls a googly, on a length on off, turns back in a bit as Saha goes back to play at it. Is completely beaten for pace and the turn as the ball goes on to rattle the timber. Timely strike for Pune, they'll look to strike again quick.
No Maxwell yet, they have sent Axar Patel as the next batsman now. Trying new stuff?
5.3 : I Tahir to A Patel, Flatter ball on the stumps, worked away to square leg for a run.
5.4 : I Tahir to H Amla, Another flat ball, on the shorter side this time, it's worked away through mid-wicket for one.
5.5 : I Tahir to A Patel, FOUR! Darted full on the pads, Axar Patel flicks it fine down the leg side. Sends it nicely across the fine leg fence and that'll be a boundary.
5.6 : I Tahir to A Patel, Turning in on middle and leg, clipped away through the square leg area for a single to end the over.
6.1 : Ben Stokes to A Patel, Marginally full around off, Axar punches it towards mid off and scampers through for a quick single.
6.2 : Ben Stokes to H Amla, Angles in a length ball, Amla knocks it off the middle of the bat down to long off for one.
6.3 : Ben Stokes to A Patel, Short and outside off, Axar looks to dab it down to third man by standing tall but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to Dhoni.
6.4 : Ben Stokes to A Patel, Shortish again outside off, Axar cuts it straight to Rahane at point.
6.5 : Ben Stokes to A Patel, Very full and curling back in a bit, Patel forces it to mid off.
6.6 : Ben Stokes to A Patel, Very full and served wide outside off, Axar hits it past a diving short extra cover fielder. Mid off was quick to get to his right to stop it. A single taken.
Time Out called!
7.1 : I Tahir to A Patel, Sends it quicker through the air outside off, Axar waits for it and then dabs it pretty late towards short third man.
7.2 : I Tahir to A Patel, Very full around off, bunted back to the leggie.
7.3 : I Tahir to A Patel, Drops it a bat short around off, Axar goes back and punches it a bit uppishly through covers for a single.
7.4 : I Tahir to H Amla, Flatter around middle and leg, Amla turns it through backward square leg for a single.
7.5 : I Tahir to A Patel, Floats it up outside off, Axar Patel sits on one knee and crashes it over extra cover for a single.
7.6 : I Tahir to H Amla, Full around off, driven towards covers.
Rahul Chahar to roll his arm now.
8.1 : R Chahar to A Patel, Tossed up around middle and off, punched down to long on for a single.
8.2 : R Chahar to H Amla, Quicker one around off, Amla looks to drive but gets it off the outer part towards backward point.
8.3 : R Chahar to H Amla, Loopy delivery outside off, Amla sits back and cuts but once again finds backward point.
8.4 : R Chahar to H Amla, Short ball around off, Amla punches it down to long on for a single.
8.5 : R Chahar to A Patel, Around middle and leg, clipped behind square on the leg side for one.
8.6 : R Chahar to H Amla, Flats it up around middle, Amla wrists it through backward square leg for another single.
Rajat Bhatia to bowl now.
9.1 : R Bhatia to H Amla, Good length delivery on middle, Amla lofts it down the ground. No timing on that one as the ball falls well short of the man running in from long on. A single taken.
9.2 : R Bhatia to A Patel, Fuller on off, eased down to long off for a single.
9.3 : R Bhatia to H Amla, Slower one on off, Amla drags it to deep mid-wicket and runs one.
9.4 : R Bhatia to A Patel, Good length delivery on middle and leg, heaved through square leg for a single.
9.5 : R Bhatia to H Amla, Chance of a run out! Fuller in length and outside off, Amla drives it uppishly towards extra cover where Smith moves to his right and stops it with one hand. He then quickly releases the ball at the non-striker's end but it misses. Amla was gone for all money. Smith has both his hands on his head.
9.6 : R Bhatia to A Patel, Good fielding Stokes! Shortish around off, Patel heaves it across the line towards wide long on. Stokes comes across to his right and makes an excellent stop to keep them down to a couple.
10.1 : R Chahar to H Amla, Short, flat and outside off, punched off the back foot by Amla through covers for a single.
10.2 : R Chahar to A Patel, SIX! Excellent shot. Flat, short and on off, Axar Patel goes back, stands tall and pulls it with all his might. Clears the wide long on fence comfortably. The fielder out there can only watch on.
10.3 : R Chahar to A Patel, Wide! Down the leg side, wide called.
R Chahar to A Patel, Wide! Another one full down the leg side, Axar looks to flick but misses.
R Chahar to A Patel, Dartes it full and quick on the stumps, drilled down to long on for a single.
10.4 : R Chahar to H Amla, OUT! Amla is gone! He departs in the quest for those boundaries. Had been rather quiet till now, went for it and now has to make the long walk back. Tossed up around off, Amla stands his ground and goes for the big heave across the line. Gets a big, big top edge which skies right down the throat of Ben Stokes who takes a good catch at long off.
Here comes the Big Show, Glenn Maxwell! Can he explode? 81 needed 56 balls!
10.5 : R Chahar to A Patel, Full on leg, raps Patel's pads as he attempts to play at it.
10.6 : R Chahar to A Patel, Wide! Fires it wide across, Axar leaves it alone.
R Chahar to A Patel, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Imran Tahir is back into the attack!
11.1 : I Tahir to A Patel, OUT! TAHIR WITH ANOTHER ONE! The South African leggie is on song here. Floats up a leg spinner on a driving length outside off, it turns in a bit as Axar Patel looks to go big downtown. Top edges it horribly and it balloons right over Tahir, a little towards his left. The bowler runs behind, gets under it and takes an excellent catch. He picks up his second wicket of the game.
0.0 : It's Miller time in Indore as David Miller joins Maxwell out there, replacing Patel!
11.2 : I Tahir to G Maxwell, Flatter, short and on middle and leg, clipped to deep backward square leg off the back foot for one.
11.3 : I Tahir to D Miller, Looped up on off, elegantly driven by David Miller to wide long off for a single.
11.4 : I Tahir to G Maxwell, Turning away from around off, taps it behind square on the off side for a quick run.
11.5 : I Tahir to D Miller, Googly on off, moving away as Miller cuts it late down to short third man. Dot ball.
11.6 : I Tahir to D Miller, Pushed quicker through the air, around off, driven straight back to Tahir.
12.1 : R Chahar to G Maxwell, SIX! THE BIG SHOW WITH A BIG ONE! What. A. Hit. Tossed up on off, it's in the slot and Maxwell is right on this. Swings it hard and he could not have middled it any better. Smokes it back down the ground and sends it miles into the stands.
12.2 : R Chahar to G Maxwell, Flighted ball around off, pushed to the covers by Glenn for an easy one.
12.3 : R Chahar to D Miller, Quite full on the stumps, eased back down to long on for a single.
There's a direct hit at the bowler's end and they have gone upstairs to see if Miller has made it in.
12.4 : R Chahar to G Maxwell, NOT OUT! This is excellent work from the current Punjab duo. Maxwell works this full ball through mid-wicket and both batsmen are quick in their running. They're coming back for the second one as there is a direct hit at the bowler's end. Miller is well in though and the ball ricochets off the stumps towards covers. Maxwell and Miller see this and are quick to respond. Take two more and have four runs in total. Beautiful stuff. The umpire goes upstairs just in case
12.5 : R Chahar to G Maxwell, Wide! Down the leg side, Maxwell tries flicking but misses. Wide called.
R Chahar to G Maxwell, Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
12.6 : R Chahar to D Miller, On the shorter side on the stumps, punched off the back foot by David Miller past the bowler to long on for a single.
Rajat Bhatia is called back into the attack!
13.1 : R Bhatia to D Miller, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
13.2 : R Bhatia to G Maxwell, FOUR! Carves the gap well this time. Maxwell off the meat crunches it through the cover region and sends it all the way for a boundary.
13.3 : R Bhatia to G Maxwell, Two wides! It's down the leg side, the keeper fails to collect it cleanly and hence, the batsmen take one more.
R Bhatia to D Miller, Around off, on a bit of a shorter length, Miller punches it towards mid off. Good stop from the fielder there.
13.4 : R Bhatia to D Miller, Huge swing and a huge miss! Flatter ball sliding across, Miller looks to slog this across the line but the ball keeps a bit low and goes under his bat.
13.5 : R Bhatia to D Miller, SIX! BOOM! Too full from the spinner and it's punished severely by David Miller. On off, the southpaw clears his front leg and murders it back down the ground for a flat maximum.
13.6 : R Bhatia to D Miller, Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Time out taken! Punjab doing pretty easily at the moment. They need just 48 from 36 balls and have the deadly duo out there. If Pune can sneak a wicket here, tides can turn any moment. Let's see what happens next.
Ben Stokes returns for a spell here!
14.1 : Ben Stokes to G Maxwell, Slants it outside off, it's the back of a length, Maxwell makes room to play the ramp shot but fails to get any wood on it.
14.2 : Ben Stokes to G Maxwell, FOUR! All power! Stokes serves a length delivery in the channel outside off, Maxwell bludgeons it through covers. The man in the deep had no chance to cut it off.
14.3 : Ben Stokes to G Maxwell, Was there an inside edge? Stokes is pleading for an LBW appeal. Fires a yorker on middle, Maxwell looks to whip it across the line but misses and the ball goes off the pads towards the leg side. The batsmen keep running but Stokes is busy appealing, in fact crying. The umpire stays unmoved and replays show there was a thick inside edge which saved Maxi.
14.4 : Ben Stokes to D Miller, Fuller on off, drilled down to long on for a single.
14.5 : Ben Stokes to G Maxwell, Length ball on off, whipped towards the man at short mid-wicket.
14.6 : Ben Stokes to G Maxwell, SIX! Muscled it! Maxwell backs away to this length ball and flat-bats it monstrously over long off for a maximum. What power! Make it 12 off the over!
Imran Tahir returns.
15.1 : I Tahir to D Miller, Immediately attacks the stumps, Miller works it to wide long on for a single.
15.2 : I Tahir to G Maxwell, SIX! There were shouts of "Catch it" but all in vain. That's gone all the way. Flat and short from Tahir, Maxwell goes back and muscles the pull over mid-wicket for a biggie. The 50-run stand comes up as well with this hit.
15.3 : I Tahir to G Maxwell, SIX! The Big Show is putting on a show and he wants to finish the match early. It's short again, he goes back and pulls it with all his might many a miles into the wide long on stands for a maximum.
15.4 : I Tahir to G Maxwell, Quicker through the air and turning away outside off, Glenn throws his bat at it but connects with thin air.
15.5 : I Tahir to G Maxwell, Full toss on the stumps, whipped through mid-wicket by Maxwell for a single.
15.6 : I Tahir to D Miller, Looped up outside off, driven to long off for a single. Punjab just need 21 off 24 deliveries.
Rahul Chahar is back on!
16.1 : R Chahar to D Miller, Spinning away from outside off, Miller initially thinks of slapping it away but then withdraws at the last second.
16.2 : R Chahar to D Miller, Fires it on leg, catches David Miller on the boot. A muted appeal from the bowler but that was never going to be given out.
16.3 : R Chahar to D Miller, Serves this on a bit of a shorter length outside off, David Miller with a back foot punch on the off side. It'll fetch him a single.
16.4 : R Chahar to G Maxwell, On middle and off, this is mishit it towards short mid-wicket.
16.5 : R Chahar to G Maxwell, That was a good shout, looked real close. 50-50 call which the umpire has ruled in the hosts' favour. Floated up on middle and off, Maxwell plays the reverse sweep and misses. Goes off his pads and past Dhoni as the batsmen take a leg bye.
16.6 : R Chahar to D Miller, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Ashok Dinda is back into the attack! 19 needed from 18 balls!!
17.1 : A Dinda to G Maxwell, Right in the blockhole, Glenn Maxwell makes a lot of room and slogs it wildly off the inner half towards wide long on. One run taken.
17.2 : A Dinda to D Miller, Full outside off, Miller smacks it to long off and takes a run. There is an unnecessary direct hit at the non-striker's end. The ball rebounds off the stumps and this allows the batsmen to take an extra run.
17.3 : A Dinda to D Miller, Good, sharp bumper from Ashok Dinda. He pounds in on leg, Miller looks to pull but the ball rises on him a bit too quickly.
17.4 : A Dinda to D Miller, SIX! Fuller length delivery on middle and off, Miller backs away and thumps it back down the ground. The fielder at wide long on comes running in and dives in an attempt to stop it but the ball is past him before he can get there. Not sure if it's a four or a six so the umpire checks upstairs. Replays show it's a maximum.
17.5 : A Dinda to D Miller, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They manage to come back for the second.
17.6 : A Dinda to D Miller, Another one on the pads, flicked away on the leg side for a single.
Ben Stokes is back on.
18.1 : Ben Stokes to D Miller, Full outside off from around the wicket, Miller digs it out back to the bowler.
18.2 : Ben Stokes to D Miller, FOUR! Short and angling in, Miller picks up the length quickly as he swivels across fast. Pulls it along the ground through backward square leg for a boundary. Just 3 needed to win now.
18.3 : Ben Stokes to D Miller, Fuller in length and wide outside off, David Miller looks to slice it away but fails to put bat on ball.
18.4 : Ben Stokes to D Miller, Good, tight line from Ben Stokes. Angles in a length ball on off, doesn't give the left-hander any room to swing his bat. Miller can only punch it to mid off.
18.5 : Ben Stokes to D Miller, Very full outside off, Miller gets a thick edge as he throws his bat. It races to third man and a single is taken.
18.6 : Ben Stokes to G Maxwell, Wide! Short and wide down the leg side, no trouble for Glenn Maxwell to leave that one alone. Just a run needed to win now.
Ben Stokes to G Maxwell, AND THAT'LL BE IT! An outstanding performance as the hosts have got the job done. Full on middle and leg, dug out between short mid-wicket and mid on for a quick run. As comfortable as you'd like. PUNJAB WIN THIS MATCH BY 6 WICKETS AND AN OVER TO SPARE!
That's it! A terrific batting display from Punjab and they have begun their campaign in an emphatic manner. They planned their chase to perfection and reaped the rewards for it. Though they lost two wickets in the Poweplay, their scoring rate was impressive as they notched up 56 on the board. That eased off the pressure but the Pune bowlers dried the run flow a touch in the middle overs. Amla failed to get going on a two-paced surface and gifted his wicket away. Soon after that, Patel followed
But sanity prevailed and the experienced duo of Maxwell and Miller batted brilliantly. The flamboyant stand of 79 from 49 between them sealed the deal for the hosts. The Pune bowlers tried hard with Tahir looking the most threatening of the lot. He picked up two wickets but the home side countered him nicely after that. The visitors had posted a decent total on the board on this two-paced track but credit to the home side for pulling off the chase with ease.
Pune skipper, Steven Smith feels that the score posted by them was not enough. Adds that they needed to score around 180. Mentions that the wicket was a little tacky and it was difficult to score against the new ball. Feels that they need to play more aggressively and probably need to go a bit harder and express themselves. Mentions that they have got a new line-up and they need to get better as the tournament progresses.
Punjab skipper and Man of the Match, Glenn Maxwell says that to start the new campaign on a bright note feels good. Mentions that the last season was not fruitful but he is happy with the beginning this time. Adds that they began with a clean slate and things went well. Reckons that the pitch was a bit spongy but credits his boys for batting so well. Adds that they had failed to do that in the last couple of years. Feels that he is hitting the ball well and is enjoying the added responsibility o
So that's it from us for this game. Punjab reveled under their new leader, Glenn Maxwell and will look to carry the momentum forward. On the other hand, it was an off day for Pune and they will aim to improve especially on the bowling front. Do not go anywhere as action is coming your way soon as Bangalore take on Delhi in their home. Cheers!