On his day, Sourav Ganguly can outshine any big performer. He did so on Saturday as he led Pune Warriors to a 20-run win over table topper Delhi Daredevils.
After being put in, Ganguly joined forces with Jesse Ryder to help Warriors raise 192 for three and then captured two key wickets to spike Daredevils' quest for a fourth win on the trot.
After back-to-back defeats, the victory at the Ferozeshah Kotla must have come as a huge relief for Warriors.
Warriors had a rollicking start as Ryder relied on raw power. He welcomed Morne Morkel with a six off an outside edge to third man and followed it up with a four to fine-leg. Morkel went for 31 in his first two overs.
At the other end, Ganguly thrived on his experience. Though not in the best of form, the former India captain gathered runs at a quick pace. When he stepped out to send a Kevin Pietersen delivery over the long-off boundary, the ‘Dada' fans got their money's worth.
Ryder and Ganguly added 93 off 63 balls before Umesh Yadav took a fine catch at long-on to end the partnership.
However, Ryder was in no mood to relent. He pulled and scooped Yadav for a six and a four en route to his 58-ball 86 before being castled by Morkel in the final over.
Smith's blitzkrieg
Steve Smith came up with a breathtaking 13-ball 34, comprising some fiery blows and switch-hits, at a strike rate of over 260. Smith's stunning assault included 22 off Shahbaz Nadeem's last over.
In reply, Mahela Jayawardene, promoted up the order, departed early. But, Virender Sehwag (57) and Pietersen (32) went after the Warriors bowlers.
Sehwag was all grace in his breezy knock. Be it the straight sixes off Murali Kartik and Rahul Sharma or the sheer timing to dispatch Ryder twice over covers, Sehwag dazzled. Pietersen, who hammered Angelo Mathews for three sixes in an over, was not far behind.
Ganguly showed that he possessed a golden arm, as he castled Pietersen. He sprinted like an excited 20-year-old to celebrate the vital wicket.
Ganguly then removed Irfan Pathan, while Kartik claimed Sehwag as the contest swung Warriors' way.
Scoreboard: Pune Warriors: R. Uthappa c N. Ojha b M. Morkel 10 (13b, 2x4), J. Ryder b M. Morkel 86 (58b, 7x4, 4x6), S. Ganguly c Yadav b M. Morkel 41 (35b, 5x4, 1x6), S. Smith (not out) 34 (13b, 4x4, 2x6), A. Mathews (not out) 6 (2b, 1x4); Extras (lb-4, w-10, nb-1): 15; Total (for three wkts. in 20 overs): 192.
Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Uthappa), 2-119 (Ganguly), 3-186 (Ryder).
Delhi Daredevils bowling: Irfan 4-1-25-0, Nadeem 4-0-44-0, M. Morkel 4-0-50-3, Umesh 4-0-29-0, Pietersen 2-0-21-0, Sehwag 1-0-9-0, Nagar 1-0-10-0.
Delhi Daredevils: M. Jayawardene c Smith b Thomas 7 (7b, 1x4), V. Sehwag c & b Kartik 57 (32b, 5x4, 4x6), K. Pietersen b Ganguly 32 (23b, 1x4, 3x6), Irfan c Ryder b Ganguly 15 (11b, 1x6), P. Negi (run out) 8 (8b, 1x4), R. Taylor c Smith b Thomas 12 (13b, 1x4), Y. Nagar c Ganguly b Thomas 24 (19b, 3x4), N. Ojha (not out) 11 (6b, 1x6), M. Morkel (not out) 1 (1b); Extras (lb-2, w-3): 5; Total (for seven wkts. in 20 overs): 172.
Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Jayawardene), 2-87 (Pietersen), 3-114 (Irfan), 4-115 (Sehwag), 5-125 (Negi), 6-143 (Taylor), 7-167 (Nagar).
Pune Warriors bowling: Thomas 4-0-22-3, Nehra 4-0-26-0, Kartik 3-0-25-1, Mathews 2-0-32-0, Rahul 2-0-20-0, Ryder 1-0-18-0, Ganguly 4-0-27-2.
Man-of-the-match: S. Ganguly.
