The Gujarat Lions extended their lead at the top of the IPL table courtesy a thrilling last ball win at the home of Rising Pune Supergiants. A Steve Smith-inspired first innings saw the home team post an imposing 195.
However, the visitors paced their innings extremely well and were on the front foot from the word go. The Lions could have chased down the target with ease, but Pune, buoyed by the home support, took the match to the final ball but failed to apply the finishing touches as Gujarat won by 3 wickets.
There were plenty of memorable moments from the match that don’t fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes. Here are 5 which will stay in our memories for a long time to come:
Steve Smith’s maiden T20 100
He may have started slowly in the tournament, but off late, Steve Smith has been picking up form at the right moment. The 26-year-old scored 46 not out in his team’s win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad with only the rain preventing him from reaching his half-century.
In the absence of rain in Pune, the Australian made the most of it by getting to his maiden century in T20 against the Gujarat Lions. The innings was littered with 5 maximums and 8 fours as every bowler felt his wrath.
He was eventually sent back to the pavillion by Dwayne Bravo in the final over, but not before he had scored 101 off just 54 balls. A truly remarkable innings by the talented player.
Shivil Kaushik - a step too far
Making his debut in the IPL due to an injury to Pravin Tambe, Shivil Kaushik was a relatively unknown quantity before this match. He came to prominence in the Karnataka Premier League, impressing the Gujarat management to shell out Rs. 10 lakhs to sign him with his performances with the Hubli Tigers.
His unique bowling style was seen for the first time in the IPL and reminded many of former South African spinner, Paul Adams. With Steve Smith going all guns blazing, Kaushik was given the ball and he clean bowled the Australian in the final ball of the 10th over. Or so he thought.
Replays showed that the youngster had overstepped and his joy was short-lived. Smith was batting on 43 at that time and one is left to wonder what could have been if Shivil had bowled a legitimate delivery.
Ajinkya Rahane’s steady innings
One of Pune’s positives in an otherwise disappointing campaign this season has been the form of their openers - Ajinkya Rahane and Faf du Plessis. After the latter was ruled out of the IPL due to an injury, there were doubts whether Rahane would be able to keep up his form.
And the Indian opener answered his doubters in the best way possible. In the first match without Faf, Rahane ensured Pune did not miss the South African much with a steady knock of 53 in 45 balls.
With Steve Smith going all guns blazing, the 27-year-old provided the perfect anchor innings en route to yet another half-century. Ajinkya Rahane’s form is key for the Rising Pune Supergiants if they harbour hopes of making the playoffs this season.
Baz and Smith’s destructive start
No team would come close to having as powerful an opening duo as the Gujarat Lions. The newly-formed team have Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum opening the innings for them - a true nightmare scenario for the opposition.
And today, the duo showed why they are held in such high regard. McCullum and Smith put together 93 for the first wicket until the Kiwi finally fell to Rajat Bhatia, but not before hammering 43 off just 22 balls, which included 2 sixes and 5 fours.
Despite the loss of his opening partner, Smith continued his destruction before Thisara Perera got his wicket in the 11th over. The West Indian hit 9 fours and 1 six en route to scoring 63 runs off 37 balls and along with Baz, put the match on a plate for the rest of the Lions batsmen to steer the team home.
A tight finish
With just 24 runs needed off 3 overs and 7 wickets in hand, it seemed like the Gujarat Lions would finish the match with an over to spare. However, some brilliant death bowling saw Rising Pune Supergiants make a stunning comeback.
In the 18th over, Murugan Ashwin conceded just 4 runs while 2 wickets fell in the 19th over as the Lions needed 9 off the final over. With a four off the first ball of the final over, it would have meant curtains for a team, but MS Dhoni’s Pune are not one to go down without a fight.
2 wickets in the 3rd and 4th ball meant the visitors needed 3 in 2. A wayward throw from Ajinkya Rahane helped Faulkner take a double while he finished it off with a single to ensure the Lions extended their lead at the top.
Credit must be given to Pune for taking this match to the final ball when, at one stage, it looked like it would be over much sooner.
