Pune: Rising Pune Supergiant cruised into the Indian Premier League play-offs with a throughly one-sided nine-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab in a do-or-die final group league match, here on Sunday.
While opener Ajinkya Rahane has said that Pune don't have much reason to worry, the fact remains that they don't have a player of Stokes' calibre in their squad. Despite losing their highest run-getter Hashim Amla (420) owing to national duty, KXIP, led by skipper Glenn Maxwell's breezy 44, posted 167/6 before an inspired bowling by the underused Rahul Tewatia (2/18), Axar Patel and a near ideal fielding performance handed them a well-deserved victory.
Martin Guptill was dismissed on the first ball of the day as he tried to drive a length ball through covers only to offer a meek catch to short cover and this opened the floodgates.
Despite the many failings for Kings XI season 2017 in the IPL wasn't all doom and gloom for them.
While Jos Buttler, like Stokes, also had to fly back, MI, knowing that the right-hander would not be a part of the playoffs, gave Lendl Simmons an opportunity to get into his groove. Extras (W-3) 3. Total: (all out; 15.5 overs) 73. "It started well for us and we had the momentum after the wins against RCB Mumbai Indians".
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Mumbai Indians needed 17 off the final over bowled by Mohit Sharma, and 10 off the last four deliveries. Their bowling can be equally destructive, with Unadkat and Thakur opening the attack, followed by Zampa's match turning spells.
"I'm very disappointed. that none of the foreign players took responsibility and at least played 12 to 15 overs". Their role was, at least one of the top four should bat for 12-15 overs but none of the batsmen took the responsibility. In case you have forgotten, RPS have got the better of Mumbai Indians twice in the tournament. There are very rare occasions when you get a good wicket to bat on but whatever wicket you get, you have to play at least 20 overs for your side. Atleast, their performances in the last few games have suggested that they are quite capable of going all the way. The kind of consistency he showed, none of the other players could do that, an individual couldn't take responsibility. None, other than Amla, were able to deliver when the team demanded leadership. Everyone knows he is capable of taking the game away from the opposition in the blink of an eye, but with a top score of 47, Maxwell's contributions this tournament were more "blink and you'll miss it". That is a big disappointment, especially since he's experienced, having played for Australia's Test and ODI teams.
The match between KXIP and Pune was over by the Punjab skipper Glenn Maxwell (0) got out with the scoreboard reading 32 for five.
The explosive opener was the league's second-highest run-scorer during the franchise's maiden triumph a year ago and Warner's consistency helped Hyderabad finish third in the eight-team standings by the end of the regular season on Sunday.
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