That's it from us today! Fabulous win for Gujarat today. We shall be back tomorrow LIVE for the 7th game of the IPL between the Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. Till then, goodnight!
MOTM Aaron Finch said, "It's obviously nice to contribute to winning the first two games. Started off scratch and got a bit lucky. It was great batting with Baz. Baz is a special player and I'm very happy he's in our team. It's a great start to the tournament, against Pune, ably led by MS Dhoni. Would love to get some more wickets in the first six overs."
Winning captain Suresh Raina said, "First game at home, we played very good cricket today. When you have Faulkner and Bravo, the game is never over. Hence, I decided to play 3 spinners as it's such a big ground. Credit to Tambe and Jadeja for bowling well. Bravo was the main player for us and we wanted to give him a chance to bat today. Finch and Baz set the tone for us. Captain is such a name for me but there are so many leaders in the squad so we just share the thoughts in the dressing room."
It always seemed like it was going to be a bit short. But it depended on whether the bowlers could put in a strong performance and make it difficult for the batsmen. And they didn't. Add that to the fact that they were bowling at Finch and McCullum in good form and it was easy work for Gujarat. They will also be glad that Bravo clicked with the bat, impressing with a cameo.
It's back to the drawing board for Dhoni and the RPSG. They got off to a wonderful start with Faf and KP laying the perfect foundation. However, once those two batsmen got out, it was a bit of a collapse. They should have ended up with a score of 180+ but only managed 163/5 after Dhoni took Bravo for 20 in the final over.
Losing captain MS Dhoni, "I think it was a good score. On this wicket, it's important how you bowl in the first six. We conceded 60, which was not good enough. I didn't want to bowl M Ashwin so early but I was forced since the seamers were poor. I think we need to fix our compisition, there are a few areas where we need to decide who is the best player in each position. We're a new franchise and don't have the luxury of too many all rounders."
OH come on! There is no way the game ended like that. Jadeja was ready to send it into the stands, he was ready, RP Singh charges in and bowls a WIDE! Sad, sad finish. Where is our poster finish? But nonetheless, great win for the Gujarat Lions! They have romped home to victory in the first game at the SCA Stadium, Rajkot by 7 wickets with 12 balls to spare.
18.1 Singh to Jadeja, 1 WIDE, such a sad way to end the game, bangs the ball in and it sails over Jadeja down the leg side. Solid performance from the home team.
Just 1 to win now, all the attention shifts to Jadeja. What a moment for him as he gets to hit the winning runs in his home ground. Does he do it in style? How inspired is he by MSD? We shall see.
Dhoni must be disappointed with his team's bowling performance today. Much was made of Pune's bowling line up prior to the tournament. Many people felt it wasn't good enough but they responded superbly in the game against Mumbai. Today, however, has been a sterner test, and they have come up short.
16.5 M Ashwin to Jadeja, no run, played to short mid-wicket with the turn and he taken off, sent back, they go up for the decision, he is safe there Jadeja.
16.1 M Ashwin to Raina, OUT, stumped this time, Raina skips down the track and that ball slides past him to Dhoni who takes the bails off. Too late by all means now? One positive that Pune can take out of this game is M Ashwin's bowling. He was taken for plenty early on, but has come back and done so well. Very admirable.
15.4 Ishant to Bravo, FOUR, full ball on off and it does not matter, Bravo this time stays put and lofts it over extra cover, this is sublime. Oh just stop will you? Bravo is incredibly effective at playing inside out and he is displaying his whole array of shots there.
15.3 Ishant to Bravo, FOUR, wide ball on a back of a length and then Bravo leans back and lofts it over covers for another boundary. The previous ball game him the confidence, he's now really feeling it! Pulling out all the shots, with the typical calypso flavour.
15.2 Ishant to Bravo, FOUR, he is standing way outside his stumps, and Bravo then lifts it over mid off. CALYPSO! What a shot, absolute defiance by Bravo there. That definitely will be part of the highlight reel.
Good over to finish his spell by R Ashwin, he has completed his spell this time. Has been tidy as he generally is. However, he hasn't taken a wicket. Something MSD and his team would have cherished so much more.
14.6 Ashwin to Bravo, no run, a carrom ball to finish, Bravo did not pick it as he was looking it turn it and a leading edge almost carried to the man at short cover.
14.3 Ashwin to Raina, no run, dabbed to short cover. Pressure building on Raina? He nearly blew it. Tries to sneak in a single but Bravo rightly sends him back, another chance for a run out, missed! What is with the run outs today?
