Gujarat Lions squeezes to victory

Steve Smith's century went in vain.

April 29, 2016 07:36 pm | Updated November 17, 2021 01:54 am IST

Some excellent cricket was witnessed between these two teams and it was once again Gujarat Lions who roared to victory in the final ball of the innings.

Steve Smith bagged the maximum sixes award and Dwayne Smith bagged the man-of-the-match award.

Faulkner knocked off the winning run. Brilliant match to watch!!

Nine needed from the final over Who is the bowler??? Will Dhoni bring his young spinner to fore?? Perera into the attack. Can he bring victory to RPS?? Faulkner on strike. A full toss and Faulkner smashes it to the boundary. brilliant shot and five runs needed from five balls. wide delivery, pressure, pressure, pressure on the bowler. four to win from five balls. single. three to win from four. Perera strikes, Raina is bowled. Gujarat 193 for 6. quite interesting match. Three to win from three balls. A sniff of chance for Pune!!!! Kishan is the new man. Three to win in three balls. Umpire asks for the third umpire and Kishan is run-out Gujarat 193 for 7. Three to win in two balls. Praveen Kumar is the new man. Faulkner takes two quick runs. What a match it is!!!! one run to win from one ball. It is victory for Gujarat Lions

After 19 overs: Gujarat 187 for 5.

Two overs to go, Gujarat needs 20 to win. Dinda continues, Excellent shot from Bravo and the ball races to the boundary, Pressure on the bowler. eged and taken brilliantly by Dhoni. Excellent piece of bowling from Dinda. Gujarat 180 for 4. Ravindra Jadeja is the new man. Raina is still there. Another wicket, Jadeja is run-out. Gujarat 180 for 5. What a breakthrough, match evenly poised. Brilliant from both the teams. Faulkner is the new man. Excellent yorker and only a single. Five runs and two wickets so far in this over A flick and it is boundary, a huge sigh of relief for Gujarat Lions. A good shot from Raina. Two runs to finish the over.

After 18 overs: Gujarat 176 for 3

Three overs to go, 24 to win. One tight over from Pune can change the course of the game. But Raina the most experienced IPL cricketer is at the crease. M. Ashwin into the attack. A gamble from Dhoni!!!! excellent delivery to start with. another excellent delivery from Ashwin. ball lands safely in front of Rahane and two runs. Lucky for Raina. Raina takes a single. Good bowling from M. Ashwin. Wow!! brilliant bowling. Good work in the deep only a single. Four runs.

After 17 overs: Gujarat 172 for 3.

Four overs to go, Gujarat needs 35 to win, Pune needs to break this partnership which is looking dangerous. Dinda into the attack. wide to start with. Beautiful shot and Karthik smashes it for a boundary and it is 50 partnership between these two. They are taking the match away from Pune. Pune needs wicket, wicket wicket!!! Dinda strikes a crucial blow, Karthik is out. Gujarat 166 for 3. Just six wickets have fallen so far in this match. Bravo is the new man. excellent running and it it two runs. Raina takes a single and Bravo on strike. A wide. two quick runs from these two. Excellent bouncer to finish the over.

After 16 overs: Gujarat 161 for 2

Five overs to go, Gujarat 49 to win. Perera into the attack. Raina takes two runs, excellent work in the deep. good slower one from Perera, only a single. Karthik on strike. It is 150 for Gujarat Lions. Excellent shot from Karthik and the ball races to the boundary. He is in good form, now looking dangerous from RPS point of view. Good cricket from Karthik and Raina. Raina swing the ball through the mid-wicket and the ball races to the boundary. Raina takes two quick runs.

After 15 overs: Gujarat 147 for 2. It is strategic time-out

Six overs go, 59 to win. M. Ashwin into the attack. Raina plays it straight to the fielder and one run. Excellent delivery from M. Ashwin. ball lands safely and only a single. Excellent over so far from this youngster. Excellent work in the deep and only two. A great shot fom Dinesh Karthik and it is a boundary.

After 14 overs: Gujarat 138 for 2

Seven overs to go, Gujarat needs 68 to win. Lot depends on these two. R Ashwin continues, Karthik chipped it over mid-wicket for a single. No boundaries in sight for the last three overs. Good tight bowling from RPS. Excellent fielding in the deep by Perera restricts it two. Karthik smashes it for a boundary

After 13 overs: Gujarat 128 for 2

Eight overs to go, Gujarat needs 75 to win. Good last two overs from Rising Pune Supergiants. Bhatia into the attack. A good ball to start with, Karthik takes a single. Raina takes a single. Good slower one and Karthik plays it safely and takes one run. Karthik takes two runs.

After 12 overs Gujarat 121 for 2

Nine overs to go, 80 to win. R. Ashwin into the attack, Karthik takes a single. Raina takes a single. A good comeback over from R. Ashwin. Karthik takes a single. Dinesh Karthik is the dangerman now. Only singles from this over.

After 11 overs: Gujarat 116 for 2

Perera into the attack. Raina takes a single. Smith on strike, excellent yorker from Perera. Smith takes a single now. Raina on strike, Raina takes a single, excellent fielding in the deep. Perera strikes a crucial wicket of Smith. Gujarat 115 for 2. Excellent yorker from Perera. Will it be crucial for RPS? With Suresh Raina is not in good form, Pune bowlers can put pressure on the other batsmen. Dinesh Karthik is the new man. Another appeal for run-out. A good work from Perera. Is Raina in?? Is he just in. A brilliant piece of fielding from Perera. A close call. The dive certainly saved Raina.

After 10 overs Gujarat 112 for 1

11 overs to go, Gujarat needs 93 to win. Can RPS pull things back? For that they have to dismiss Smith quickly. R. Ashwin into the attack. Smith takes a single. Raina takes a quick single. Smith smashes the ball over mid-wicket for another boundary. He continues to smother the bowlers. Wow!! another boundary. Smith is really taken on R Ashwin. Dhoni has to change his tactics to stop this Smith juggernaut.

After nine overs: Gujarat 100 for 1

12 overs to go, Gujarat needs 101 to win. Bhatia continues, Bhatia strikes, dismisses dangerous McCullum and Gujarat 93 for 1. Suresh Raina is the new man. Smith smashes the next ball for boundary and it is 50 for Smith. Smith takes a single. Raina is off the mark now. It is 100 for Gujarat

After eight overs: Gujarat 93 for no loss

Murugan Ashwin into the attack. McCullum takes a single off the first ball. A good delivery from M. Ashwin. A quite over so far from M Ashwin. McCullum smashes the ball over mid-off for a six. A beautiful shot. They are looking dangerous. Who can break this partnership???

After seven overs: Gujarat 84 for no loss

A very good powerplay for the Gujarat Lions. 122 runs to win in 14 overs. One or two quick wickets can bring RPS back in the game. Rajat Bhatia into the attack. Smith smashes the first ball and it is a six over long-on. Excellent work from Rahane and it is three now. Excellent work from Dhoni, umpire has gone upstairs for a stumping. It is not out. Another close call for McCullum. excellent delivery from Bhatia. Excellent scoop but this time only for single.

After six overs: Gujarat 72 for no loss. It is strategic time-out

Can Dhoni risk R. Ashwin at this juncture? Yes it is R. Ashwin into the attack. Smith smashes it to the boundary. First ball boundary puts pressure on the bowler. Another smashing hit and another boundary. Smith is now taking on R. Ashwin. wide delivery. Dropped by Perera, Smith has a life. Wow! what an effort from Perera.

After five overs: Gujarat 62 for no loss

Perera into the attack. McCullum pulled the ball through mid-wicket and it is a boundary and it is 50 partnership between these two. McCullum smashes another boundary this time through the off-side, McCullum now ready to take on the bowlers. McCullum takes a single. Smith smashes it over the mid-wicket for a boundary.

After four overs: Gujarat 48 for no loss

Pune has to dismiss McCullum and Smith early otherwise no total is safe Dinda continues, Smith takes two runs and excellent work in the deep from Rajat Bhatia. Excellent shot and the ball races to the boundary. Now these two are changing gears. Dangerous and ominous signs for RPS. Excellent comeback delivery from Dinda. A good bouncer but called a wide. Excellent shot and takes two runs. Another two runs. Smith smashes it back past the mid-off and it is boundary.

After three overs: Gujarat 33 for no loss

Morkel contines, McCullum on strike. McCullum slashes it and takes two runs, excellent fielding from RPS fielders. McCullum smashes it through covers and it is a boundary, an excellent shot. Now a wide delivery, Edges and the ball races through the first slip for a boundary. another wide. Morkel bring it on, bring it on!!! Boom, McCullum smashes the ball over mid-wicket for a six. smashes it over cover for two runs. A costly over from Morkel and 24 runs from this over.

After two overs: Gujarat 9 for no loss

Ashoke Dinda into the attack. McCullum on strike, a good swinging delivery to start with. Quick single, Perera shies at the wicket and if hit McCullum is gone Wow!! a close shave for McCullum. Another quick single. A very good bouncer for McCullum who tries to hook but misses it and through to the keeper. Wow!! What a way to end the over with a swinging yorker.

After one over: Gujarat 6 for no loss

196 to win. Smith on strike, Morkel to open the proceedings for RPS. A wild swish and miss. Excellent delivery from Albie Morkel. Smith is off the mark with two runs. Appea for LBW, no says umpire. Good interesting over from Albie Morkel. Good pace and bounce from Morkel. A smashing hit from Smith to end the over with a boundary.

The players are out in the middle. Pune players are having a huddle and the Gujarat Lions openers are out in the middle. An interesting match on the cards.

Having put in a brilliant batting performance, Rising Pune Supergiants will have to stop the rampaging Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum at the top.

Riding on the excellent century from Steve Smith and a brilliant half-century from Ajinkya Rahane, Rising Pune Supergiants posted a stiff target of 195 for 3 for Gujarat Lions. Dhoni played a cameo towards the end by scoring 30 off just 18 balls. It is now to the Rising Pune Supergiants bowlers to restrict the roaring Gujarat Lions, who has McCullum, Smith and Raina in their line-up. Pune has to take quick wickets that too of McCullum and Smith quickly.

Last over, can Pune reach the magical 200 mark and Smith his century, his first in T20s?? Bravo into the attack, Dhoni takes a single and gives Smith the strike. He is on 97. What a way to reach his century. A smashing hit and it is boundary. brilliant innings from Steve Smith. Excellent yorker and Steve Smith is bowled. Pune 188 for 3. Perera is the new man, on strike, takes two quick runs. Two balls to go, Perera takes a single and Dhoni on strike for the last ball. Dhoni smashes it through the mid-off for boundary. Rising Pune Supergiants finishes at 195 for 3.

After 19 overs: Pune 183 for 2

Two overs to go, Praveen into the attack, Smith takes a single off the first ball, Dhoni on strike, Dhoni smashes it through mid-wicket and it is a boundary. Fifty partnership between these two. Dhoni smashes another one but excellent fielding from Jadeja restricting only for a single. Smith takes two runs and moves to 91, excellent knock from him. beautifully played and takes another two runs. Smith 93, Excellent shot from Smith and the ball races to the boundary.

After 18 overs: Pune 169 for 2

Three overs, Can Smith reach his hundred and take Pune Supergiants to 200? Is it my over-estimation?? We will wait and watch. Bravo into the attack, Smith on strike, quick running between these two. Dhoni takes a single. Excellent shot from Smith, it is another six. Smith smashes it straight to fine-leg only for a single. Dhoni on strike,

After 17 overs: Pune 160 for 2.

Four overs to go, a good launching pad for Dhoni and Smith. Jadeja continues, a good delivery but a wide. Dhoni tries to smash it but only a single. Smith now takes a single. Dhoni smashes it flat for a six. A smashing hit from the powerful Dhoni. Dhoni smashes it over long-off for another six. pressure and it is wide.

After 16 overs Pune 144 for 2

Five overs to go, with Smith and Dhoni are out in the middle, Pune Supergiants can reach a score of 180+. Kaushik into the attack. Excellent delivery to start with, Dhoni cuts and takes a single. Smith on strike, Smith smashes but only for a single. Dhoni cuts it hard and takes a single. Good over so far from this youngster Smith smashes it straight over the bowler and it is a six.

After 15 overs: Pune 135 for 2

Six overs to go, Jadeja into the attack, Dhoni flicks and takes two quick runs. Excellent running between the wickets. Dhoni takes a single. He and Smith are quick between the wickets. Smith smashes down the ground for a six. Wow!!! what a shot from Smith. Excellent call from Dhoni and third umpire has been called for a run-out. Smith is safe. Smith tries to pierce the point but excellent fielding from Raina.

After 14 overs: Pune 126 for 3

Seven overs to go. Can Pune reach 180+? Bravo continues. Rahane takes two quick runs. A wide delivery from Bravo, Is it pressure, pressure for the bowlers?? These two are playing brilliant cricket. Rahane smashes it through point only for a single. Now Smith has to change gears and up the ante. Smith and Rahane take two quick runs. Bravo knocks off the stumps, Rahane is run-out. Pune 124 for 2. Dhoni is the new man. Smith takes a single. Dhoni on strike, a roar from the crowd. Dhoni is off th mark.

After 13 overs: Pune 118 for 1. It is strategic time-out

Faulkner continues, Smith takes a single off the first ball. Rahan 48 on strike, takes a single. Smith launched into the shot and smashes it over mid-wicket for another six. A cracking shot!! A misfield and the ball races to the boundary. It is the first 100 partnership for Pune Supergiants. Smith takes a single. It is fifty for Rahane.

After 12 overs: Pune 104 for 1

Bravo into the attack Smith reaches his fifty. A very good knock. He has to play till the end for Pune. Excellent fielding from Faulkner and Rahane takes two runs. Another two quick runs. Good running between the wickets. Beautiful shot and the ball races to the boundary and it is 100 for Pune. Rahane takes a single. Smith takes a single.

After 11 overs: Pune 93 for 1

Smith escapes, and moves to 47 quickly. Rahane is playing second fiddle now These two have to carry on till 16th or 17th over. Faulkner into the attack. Two quick runs from Rahane. Rahane takes a single. Smith on strike, Smith takes a single. Rahane smashes it for two runs through point. Rahane flicks for a single. Smith takes a quick single.

After 10 overs: Pune 85 for 1.

Kaushik continues, Rahane gets an edge and the ball races to the third-man boundary. seven runs so far in this over. Another nudge and Rahane takes a single. Is it a no-ball? A wicket or free hit. Yes, a no-ball and it is a free hit. What a tragedy for the youngster? Smith smashes it over long-off for a huge six

After nine overs: Pune 70 for 1. It is strategic time-out

Jadeja continues, Smith slams through the covers and takes two quick runs. Smith takes single. Rahane sweeps for one. Running between the wickets is quite good between these two. Fifty partnership between Smith and Rahane.

After eight overs: Pune 63 for 1

Shivil Kaushik into the atttack. A good delivery to start with. Kaushik is making is IPL debut. Rahane takes a single. Excellent shot through point for a boundary. Smith plays a beautiful shot. Smith takes two quick runs. Eight runs from this over.

After seven overs: Pune 55 for 1

A good powerplay for Supergiants. Ravindra Jadeja into the attack. Rahane takes a single. Smith takes a single. a gentle nudge by Rahane and takes two runs. It is fifty for Pune. Rahane escapes, and takes a single. a good ball from Jadeja. Two quick runs.

After six overs: Pune 48 for 1

Last over of the powerplay Kulkarni continues, Rahane flicks the ball and it is boundary. An excellent shot. Another flick now for only a single. Smith takes a single now, Another flick on the leg side and they take two now. A nudge and quick running between the wickets. An excellent shot to finish the over with a boundary.

After five overs: Pune 35 for 1

Praveen continues, Rahane takes a single brings Smith on strike. A cracking shot through covers for four, jumping down the track, Smith cracks the ball towards the boundary. What a shot!! Just nudges the ball and it is another boundary, putting pressure on the bowler. Excellent running and it is two. Excellent running between the wickets. 13 runs from this over.

After four overs: Pune 22 for 1

Kulkarni continues, good running between the wickets. Both Smith and Rahane are quick between the wickets. A wild swish and miss from Rahane. Rahane plays it through point only for a single. Excellent mixing of deliveries from Kulkarni. Smith takes a single now. Rahane tucks it but the ball falls safely and no damage done

After three overs: Pune 18 for 1

Praveen continues, Rahane plays it defensively. appeal for run-out, Brilliant piece of fielding, Raina makes a run-out Tiwary is out Pune 13 for 1. Steve Smith is the new man. A boundary to start with, an excellent shot just guiding the ball through the find-leg for a four.

After two overs: Pune 13 for no loss

Kulkarni into the attack, Rahane flicks straight to mid-wicket. A wide delivery. What a shot, drvien straight past the mid-off and it races to the boundary. Excellent timing from Rahane. Rahane takes a quick single. Tiwary on strike, Tiwary is off the mark.

After one over: Pune 5 for no loss

Praveen to open the attack, Rahane on strike, a good ball to start with. Excellent shot and it is boundary for Rahane and Pune. A beautiful shot to start with. Rahane plays a defensive shot. A good shot but straight to Faulkner at mid-off. Quick single and bring Tiwary on strike. Tiwary is yet to score in this IPL, a good striker of the cricket ball.

Fans around the stadium are roaring, the umpires and players are out in the middle. Ajinkya Rahane and Sourabh Tiwary are the openers. A new opening pair for Rising Pune Supergiants. Rahane is the key for Pune, he is the one who should anchor and other players can play around him.

Can Dhoni's Rising Pune Supergiants pull of a victory against roaring Gujarat Lions?

The final playing XI will be

Rising Pune Supergiants

Ajinkya Rahane, Sourabh Tiwary, Steve Smith, Thisara Perera, M.S Dhoni (captain), Albie Morkel, Rajat Bhatia, Peter Handscomb, R Ashwin, M Ashwin, Ashoke Dinda

Gujarat Lions

Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina (Captain), Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, Dwayne Bravo, James Faulkner, Praveen Kumar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Shivil Kaushik

With Faf du Plessis and Kevin Pietersen out of IPL due to injuries, Rising Pune Supergiants has a task cut out to play as a team and win matches.

Gujarat Lions win the toss and will be bowling first.

Rising Pune Supergiants Squad

MS Dhoni*, Ankit Sharma, B Aparajith, M Ashwin, R Ashwin, AK Bains, R Bhatia, SM Boland, DL Chahar, AB Dinda, PSP Handscomb, Jaskaran Singh, UT Khawaja, MR Marsh, JA Morkel, IC Pandey, IK Pathan, NLTC Perera, AM Rahane, I Sharma, RP Singh, SPD Smith, SS Tiwary, A Zampa

Gujarat Lions Squad

SK Raina*, S Ladda, AD Nath, Amit Mishra, DJ Bravo, P Dogra, ER Dwivedi, JP Faulkner, AJ Finch, Ishan Kishan, RA Jadeja, SB Jakati, KD Karthik, S Kaushik, DS Kulkarni, P Kumar, BB McCullum, PJ Sangwan, JN Shah, UA Sharma, DR Smith, DW Steyn, PV Tambe, AJ Tye

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