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KKR are on their merry way, Pune will have to find something and start winning games, Dhoni was seemingly very upset, he has to come up with something special to build some momentum.
Suryakumar Yadav is the player of the match: "Just wanted to play my natural game, continued my form from the previous match. Wanted to rotate the strike along with Yusuf. Winning against Pune on this pitch is very satisfying and will be taking this win to Mumbai."
Gautam Gambhir: "It is a very important win. Once Robin and myuself got out, there was onus on the middle over to perform, Surya batted unbelievably. Manish was a big blow. He was hitting it well and our consistent No. 3. We could have been more professional with our death bowling, 17 off the last over is too many. This was a wicket where 160 was above par. The guys were professional and hit crucial sixes. Yusuf also had a hit and there were more positives than negatives."
MS Dhoni: " It is the length we bowled that cost us, I spoke to the bowlers to not bowl full and yet we conceded 5 sixes after that chat. What really matters is you need to stick to the plans. I feel when the pressure is on, our guys do not step up. They are few youngsters who will feel the pressure, but someone like a M Ashwin needs to control the things in his hands. Plenty of areas to improve, as a batting unit we have to improve."
One of the better games in the IPL, this one was. Pune did the best to run KKR close. They lost their star openers, Gambhir and Uthappa early on. Suryakumar Yadav played a blinder of an innings scoring 60. Yusuf Pathan also did well. Everyone chipped in after that, Russell, Sathish and Yadav with the winning runs. Dhoni will be disconsolate after the loss. It was nearly a great performance with the ball.
19.3 Thisara Perera to Umesh Yadav, SIX, ohh yes Yadav, who needs Russell, sits down and swipes that over long on. He knew it the moment he hits it. Game set and match!
19.2 Thisara Perera to Piyush Chawla, OUT, caught by Smith at long on, Chawla wants to smash that but no timing there and Smith gobbles it up! Oh boy, did he more than make up for the misfield or what! Great catch, not too many fielders who would have taken that with so much composure.
19.1 Thisara Perera to Piyush Chawla, 2 runs, flicked it to wide of Smith at long on Smith does all the hard work but cannot collect the ball. This is what pressure does.
Feels like a typical Morkel performance. 4 overs - 36 runs - 2 wickets. Nearly did his job. Went for plenty though, might be the difference between winning and losing. Thisara Perara to bowl the final over.
18.4 Albie Morkel to R Sathish, OUT, bowled, full ball angling in, Sathish swipes across the line and misses it and the timber behind is castled! Went back to the basics with that ball, Morkel. Full and straight. Middle stump out of the park! 2 big balls coming up. Umesh Yadav comes in to bat. Gautam Gambhir still has his pads on. Reckon he would love to come out to finish this.
18.1 Albie Morkel to R Sathish, SIX, slower ball on a length and Sathish waits for it and then muscles that over long on! Morkel is not having a game to remember with the ball. Taken all over the park.
Was that needed from Russell at that stage? The game was within their grasp. But Russell normally does it his own way, and he backed himself to clear the boundary. Comes off for him most times. Will need a very tight over from Morkel here.
17.6 Thisara Perera to Piyush Chawla, FOUR, full ball on off and Chawla opens the bat and guides that to deep third man where Saurabh Tiwary cannot bend and lets the ball pass. Sloppy!!
17.5 Thisara Perera to Andre Russell, OUT, slower ball does the trick, Russell wants to smash that again, does not time it and Faf gobbles it up at long on! Masterful bowling. 2 balls to go in the over, Perera knew Russell was looking for the big shot. Bowls a slower delivery, invites Russell to go after it, takes the bait. GONE.
