Notwithstanding the absence of a single local talent in the team and an extremely rough and bumpy ride over the last one and half months, the supporters of Pune Warriors have filled up the stadium and cheered the players faithfully.
The stage is all set for the Warriors’ last match of the season against the Delhi Daredevils on Sunday and it will be interesting to see how many turn up at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium here at Gahunje village.
Sunday’s match will also bring down the curtains on the league phase of the tournament.
The troubles in the Royals camp does not seem to have affected the other teams in the competition as the representatives of the two teams C.M. Gautam of the Daredevils and Deep Dasgupta of the Warriors chose to focus on their own teams’ disappointments.
Daredevils and Warriors have scored three wins and have six points each from 15 matches, and are placed eighth and ninth in the league.
Both Gautam and Dasgupta said that the last match was “very important”, and that they would like to finish the tournament with “a win, and on a high note.”
Gautam said it was a privilege for him to be in the same group as illustrious cricketers like Virender Sehwag, Mahela Jayawardene, Morne Morkel and David Warner. “I have learnt a lot from them, although it was disappointing to wait for a long time to get to play.
“I also had the opportunity to interact with the legendary Vivian Richards. His way of thinking on cricket, the purpose of practice sessions and body language expression is quite different from ours,” said Gautam.
The Daredevils now face a team they beat in the home match at Raipur.
The Warriors will hope to give something to cheer for the home supporters.
