Aaron Finch powers Pune Warriors to first win

Aaron Finch, who replaced Michael Clarke, played a brilliant innings of 64 against the Rajasthan Royals, thereby taking the Pune Warriors to a comprehensive seven-wicket win over the Rajasthan Royals. Pune Warriors, in their previous games, did not take advantage of the first six overs due to lack of suitable openers. However, Finch provided the start that was required by Pune Warriors and Uthappa played a very good hand in the opening partnership of 52 runs off just 37 balls.

Perhaps Finch knew that the wicket would get slower as the game progresses, and therefore he struck two blistering boundaries and a six of Sreesanth’s first over to up the ante. He demolished Harmeet Singh for 18 runs in the third over of the match that turned the heat on Rajasthan Royals. The Royals were a bit worried as Finch looked in good rhythm. However, the breakthrough was provided by James Faulkner in his first over as he got rid off Uthappa for 32, with Rahul Dravid pulling off a spectacular single-handed catch at midwicket.

Mathews, intelligently, promoted Ross Taylor up the order to continue with the momentum. He put on a constructive partnership of 46 runs for the second wicket with Finch – setting the platform to win the match. Faulkner accounted for another dismissal as he uprooted the off-stump of Finch, after a brilliant 64. Following the wicket of Finch at 130/3, it was Mathews and Yuvraj Singh who finished the job for the Pune Warriors in the most grand fashion.

Rahul Dravid’s team had enough runs on the board to defend as the wicket was a bit on the slower-side. But nothing can happen when a player like Finch plays this kind of electrifying innings. He should have opened the bowling with the experienced Faulkner, rather than with the inexperienced Harmeet Singh that had cost them the match.

Rahul Dravid, earlier, read the wicket perfectly, and batted first. Rajasthan Royals put on competitive total of 145 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, led by Rahul Dravid’s 54 off 48 balls.

With Perera’s departure in the first ball, Rahul Dravid required to put in a big performance. Rahane and Dravid have mutual understanding between them as the duo had already batted together for time and again in the previous seasons. Yet again, the duo put on a magnificent partnership of 81 runs and took the Royals score to 81 runs for the loss of 1 wicket in just 9 overs.

Rajasthan Royals were cruising along nicely at that stage, and suddenly the wicket of Rahane (30) changed the course of the match as Rajasthan Royals crumbled and kept losing wickets at regular intervals following Rahane’s dismissal. Binny, Dravid and Yagnik followed Rahane in quick succession. However, Rahul Dravid once again steadied the Rajasthan Royals innings and scored a brilliant half-century, before Taylor took a sensational catch at extra-cover to get rid off Dravid, leaving Rajasthan Royals at 93/4. Subsequently, Hodge and Faulkner’s late cameo helped Rajasthan post a competitive total on a sluggish wicket.

Rahul Sharma was among the wickets and was also economical as his figures read 4-0-16-2, while Bhuvaneswar Kumar picked up just the one-wicket. Yuvraj Singh typically scalped couple of wickets.

Pune Warriors desperately needed this win as they lost both their previous games. Their bowling was remarkable, fielding was outstanding, and batting was amazing with the inclusion of Aaron Finch.

Pune Warriors play their next game against Mumbai Indians on April 13, while Rajasthan Royals play their next game against Kings XI Punjab on April 14.