IPL Highlights, Gujarat Lions (GL) vs (RPS) Rising Pune Supergiant
IPL highlights and ball-by-ball commentary from the 13th T20 match between Gujarat Lions (GL) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, on Friday.
Gujarat Lions defeated Rising Pune Supergiant by seven wickets and two overs to spare at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday evening. GL had earlier restricted RPS to a challenging total of 171/8 after a blistering start from Rahul Tripathi and captain Steve Smith. With Jadeja back for Gujarat Lions, their bowling and batting line-up looked a bit more solid. Where seasoned pacer Praveen Kumar went for a massive 51 runs in his four overs, Indian Premier League (IPL) debutant Andrew Tye scalped 5 wickets, which included a hat-trick in the last over of the innings. Smith emerged as the highest run-getter with 45, followed by Ankit Tripathi (33) and Manoj Tiwary (31.) Ben Stokes and MS Dhoni failed to impress with the bat yet again. (Scorecard)
Later, solid knocks from Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith and captain Suresh Raina helped the hosts win comfortably.
When and Where to Watch: Gujarat Lions (GL) Vs (RPS) Rising Pune Supergiant
(GL) Vs (RPS) is scheduled for an 8pm IST (3.30pm BST) start. Live Streaming and TV information for the match can be found below.
India: TV: Sony Six, Sony Six HD (English), Sony Max (Hindi), Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD (Telugu, Tamil, Bengali). Live Streaming: Hotstar.
International: Live Streaming: Cricketgateway.
South Africa: TV: SuperSport Two. Live Streaming: SuperSport Live Video.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 2. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports.
USA: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV Online.
Middle East: TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD. Live Streaming: OSN Play.
IPL Live Score: GL vs RPS
That completes the formalities of today's Indian T20 League action. Mumbai maintained their winning momentum earlier in the day while Gujarat finally opened their account this season. Problems to ponder for both Bangalore and Pune who have three losses each from four games. Hope you enjoyed our coverage of the double header. Another one coming up tomorrow with Kolkata hosting Hyderabad at 1600 local (1030 GMT) which will be followed by Delhi hosting Punjab at 2000 local (1430 GMT). Do join us for those games. Until then, it's goodbye from us.
Man of the Match, Andrew Tye feels that it is a good format (T20). Mentions that traditionally he would like to play Test cricket but he is happy with his efforts. Says that Streaky (Heath Streak) is a really good coach and he backs them. Feels that Brad Hodge is really good too and he lets them do their job. Reckons that conditions are different everywhere and one needs to adjust according to the track. Ends by saying that the knuckle ball is his favourite.
Gujarat skipper, Suresh Raina feels that when one loses two games in a row, it is difficult to come back but they did well. Adds that AJ (Andrew Tye) bowled really well. Opines that he is a smart bowler and his fifer proved to be match-winning for them. Mentions that Roy missed out today but Baz (Brendon McCullum) and Smith did the job for them. Ends by saying that it is his 150th game and he couldn't have asked more from his boys.
Pune skipper, Steven Smith says that the wicket didn't change much in the course of 40 overs. Feels that they lost wickets in clusters and couldn't get the big hits in the end. Adds that the pitch played better in the second half than they thought it will and adds that they were 20 runs short. Mentions that Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum played really well and they failed to stop them. Reckons that it is not an easy task for a new franchise and Gujarat is in the same boat as them. Ends by saying that they will strive to keep improving.
Pune were definitely 10-15 runs short at the break but they did try. In fact, their largely new-look bowling unit did a decent job but were let down by their premier bowler Tahir who had a shocker of a day. Ferguson was a bit expensive too on debut but he showed promise. The losing streak for Pune stretches to three now while there is some relief in the Gujarat camp. Their bowlers led by a sensational fifer from Tye on debut, did great in the back end of the innings to keep Pune to 171 after the visitors looked like getting 200 at one stage.
A comfortable run chase for Gujarat eventually. It was wonderfully set up by McCullum and Smith who came together to open for the first time this season and the result was absolute carnage. Their opening stand virtually killed the chase and although Pune picked up a few wickets to slow the proceedings, Gujarat weren't to be denied. Skipper Raina smartly controlled the chase and along with Finch, finished off things duly with two overs to spare.
SIX! FINCH FINISHES IT OFF GRANDLY! Another full ball in the slot, he gets underneath it and launches it comfortably over the long on fielder for a maximum. The hosts have opened their account this season finally. GUJARAT WIN BY 7 WICKETS.
50-run stand up for Finch and Raina.
SIX! THAT'S IN THE STANDS! Finch's strong bottom hand coming into play and the result is a massive maximum. Fuller ball around middle, he picks it up cleanly and deposits it over square leg for a biggie. Gujarat just a big hit away now.
Pitched up around off, Finch drags it away just past the mid-wicket fielder. The long on fielder tidies up to keep the batsmen down to a brace.