Who Said What to Gujarat Lions' 7-wicket win over the Rising Pune Supergiants
In the battle between the new franchises, Suresh Raina got the better of his “mentor” MS Dhoni as the Gujarat Lions defeated the Rising Pune Supergiants by seven wickets. After having played the previous eight seasons together, the two faced off for the first time ever at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.
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Faf du Plessis’ knock of 69 off 43 balls helped set the tone for a big score. However, a good bowling performance from the Lions allowed them to restrict the Pune franchise to just 163 runs. A quickfire 22 off 10 balls helped Pune reach a score of some respectability.
Aaron Finch scored his second consecutive fifty of the IPL and along with opening partner, Brendon McCullum put up a partnership of 85 for the first wicket to give the perfect tone for a successful chase of the total.
Rising Pune Supergiants captain, MS Dhoni:
“I think it was a good score but what's important is to bowl well in the first six overs. It was forced (speaking about why the legspinner was brought in the powerplay) and I don't think the fast bowlers bowled well.
“I told them quite a few things and it stays within the team. We gave away too many runs in the powerplay. We need to look at the composition. Need to look at the players who suit us the best. First game we did well but we could have played with a few other players in this game.
“But credit to the players who have done well in the first game. It's a new team and you don't have the luxury of playing some fantastic all-rounders.”
Gujarat Lions, Suresh Raina:
“When you have Bravo and Faulkner, the game is never over. First game at home and we played really good cricket today. I thought we have to play 3-4 spinners but its not easy to hit sixes in this ground.
“Jaddu bowled exceptionally well and Tambe too bowled well.(Bravo) is the main player for us. We have to give chance to everyone. Finchy and Baz set the tone for us. When you have a start like that we always do well in the middle overs. We have Baz, Bravo and Finch - Lot of experienced players in the side.”
Man-of-the-match, Aaron Finch:
“Nice to start off well and contribute to the wins. Was a beautiful wicket out there. Started off scratchy and got a bit lucky in the middle. Nice to bat with Baz. He scores so fast and takes the pressure off. He is a special player. For some one to run down the wicket and smash a few off the back foot, it takes some skill.
“Very big game and Pune are a very strong side led by a great leader MS. If we can get some more wickets in the first six overs it will be nice. Jaddu, Bravo and Faulkner were outstanding in the middle overs. The bowlers did well towards the end again, pulled things back in our favour.”
Indian commentator, Aakash Chopra:
#RPS got only 29 off the last 4...out of which 20 came in the last over. The best 17-18-19 overs in a T20 game that I've seen #GLvRPS #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 14, 2016
That said...Jakati finishing his four for 40 and Praveen bowling only two for 12. Missed a trick? #GLvRPS #IPL @hotstartweets
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 14, 2016
#RPS was the winner at the #IPL draft...#GL won it at the auction table later. A much more balanced side eventually. #GLvRPS #IPL2016
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 14, 2016
Former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar:
Super death bowler vs super death batsman. Dhoni won that against Bravo. #IPL2016 #GLvRPS
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 14, 2016
Former Australian batsman, Matthew Hayden:
Well we can't see @ChennaiIPL but still we can celebrate @IPL #whistlepodu love you Chennai @ImRaina @msdhoni
— Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) April 14, 2016
Former Australian bowler, Jason Gillespie:
Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium looks a fantastic cricket venue!#IPL2016 #GLvRPS
— Jason Gillespie (@YCCCDizzy) April 14, 2016
My prediction that the @TheGujaratLions will win the IPL is looking good early days!#IPL2016
— Jason Gillespie (@YCCCDizzy) April 14, 2016
Indian commentator, Harsha Bhogle:
Have batsmen started playing Rajat Bhatia as a slow bowler? If so, will be an interesting challenge for a fine but under-rated bowler
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 14, 2016
I like it when they show teams shaking hands at the end. Apart from the sentiment, the body language is very interesting to watch.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 14, 2016
Former England women's cricketer, Isa Guha:
While it's a pleasure to watch @imVkohli & @ABdeVilliers17 bat together...this is also pretty cool -@AaronFinch5 & Baz #GLvRPS #eit20
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) April 14, 2016
Former Australian women's cricketer, Lisa Sthalekar:
Bravo @TheGujaratLions in coming back strongly. @RisingPune_SG were on track to score 200+. You feel momentum with #GL now #GLvRPS #eit20
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) April 14, 2016
There is a lot to like about this @TheGujaratLions, great depth in all departments. Plus I love the colours of their uniform #GLvRPS
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) April 14, 2016
Royal Challengers Bangalore batting and fielding coach, Trent Woodhill:
Love watching these two @KP24 and @faf1307 bat #GLvRPS #IPL #class
— Trent Woodhill (@TrentWoodhill) April 14, 2016