Published: Apr 14, 2016, 11:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 14, 2016, 11:44 PM (IST)
Gujarat Lions (GL) were given a target of 164 runs to chase in their 20 overs by Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in the IPL season 9 , Match no. 6 and they reached the target with 2 overs to spare. It was their openers Aaron Finch and Brendon McCullum who got them off to a superb start and took the game away from RPS in the first 6 overs. The RPS fast bowlers struggled in the first 6 overs and it became very difficult for Dhoni and his men to come back from there. Let’s take a look at how things went for GL. Gujarat Lions (GL) were given a target of 164 runs to chase in their 20 overs by Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) and they reached the target with 2 overs to spare. It was their openers Aaron Finch and Brendon McCullum who got them off to a superb start and took the game away from RPS in the first 6 overs. The RPS fast bowlers struggled in the first 6 overs and it became very difficult for Dhoni and his men to come back from there. However, it was Bravo’s cameo in the end which secured the game for GL. Let’s take a look at how things went for GL. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Gujarat Lions vs Rising Pune Supergiants, Live Score, 6th T20 Match, IPL 2016
McCullum-Finch open-up: Brendon McCullum and Aaron Finch opened the innings for Gujarat Lions. McCullum showed one of his textbook shots coming down the wicket in the first over off RP Singh and getting four. Finch meanwhile smashed Ishant’s first ball for four. The former New Zealand batsman hit two sixes off RP Singh’s second over. At the 6 over mark GL were 62-0 and were looking good. M Ashwin was smashed for 19 runs in his first over and Dhoni had a lot to worry about.
Slow-bowlers smashed: After M Ashwin was smashed by Finch, Rajat Bhatia was the next bowler who was hit for 2 sixes in his first over. Finch made his half-century in just 33 balls, but was out soon off M Ashwin, caught by Ishant Sharma at deep-backward square. Finch’s wicket bought some life into the game as GL were looking really strong, although Dhoni continued with his slower bowlers after his departure.
Raina-McCullum carry on: After the loss of their first wicket, GL played quite sensibly and didn’t play unnecessary shots in the air. They took calculated risks and the game had almost run away from RPS. McCullum and Raina batted brilliantly and rotated the strike well too taking GL closer to the target. McCullum lost his wicket for 49 off 31 balls as he was caught by Du Plessis trying to hit a short ball by coming forward to Ishant Sharma.
Bravo’s cameo: Dwayne Bravo’s smashing of Ishant Sharma in the 16th over completely took the game away from RPS. The West Indian all-rounder hit 3 consecutive boundaries in the over and Ishant finished with figures of 1-39. Bravo didn’t stop there. He hit an important strike in the 18th over off the innings to take GL just one short off the target. Earlier, Raina was out stumped by MS Dhoni off M Ashwin after a run-a-ball 24. He couldn’t finish the match but certainly played a sensible innings for his team.
( Karan Dewan, a reporter with CricketCountry, loves following and playing sports. He is a Team India fan and loves winning. Follow him on his twitter handle @karan13dewan.)
