IPL 9, Match 6: GL v RPS - 5 Talking Points

A match which was infamously dubbed as “CSK A vs CSK B” eventually proved to be money’s worth, as Gujarat Lions beat Rising Pune Supergiants in a contest which was eventually closed off quickly. MS Dhoni’s RPS managed to score a par but underwhelming 163 in their quota of 20 overs. The Gujarat Lions openers, Brendon McCullum, and Aaron Finch tore through during the initial overs, and the target eventually became a formality for the home team.

1. Rahane, Faf du Plessis start of well:

On a track which resembled a pasture, the pitch wasn’t as misleading as it looked. Du Plessis and Rahane started off well, justifying Dhoni’s decision to bat first on a track which looked to slow down as the game progressed. The ball was coming nicely onto the bat, and Rahane showed his class by slowly picking along with some well timed shots. While Raina’s move to bring in left-arm spinner Shahdab Jakati did not help much, Pravin Tambe did provide the much required breakthrough with a delivery which didn’t spin much.

2. Middle overs muddle:

The pitch definitely did not have any demons, and the Faf du Plessis-Pietersen duo managed to keep the scorecard ticking with sensible batting and stroke play. Even Dwayne Bravo, the master of variations, was smacked for 16 runs in his first over. The pace was really picking up from RPSs perspective and du Plessis got his well deserved fifty in the 13th over. But Bravo bowled an exceptional 14th over, in which he gave away just 2 runs and also picked up the crucial wicket of Kevin Pieterson with a well deceived delivery. This one over practically derailed the RPSG innings.

3. Pune lose quick wickets; Dhoni’s finishing touch:

Pietersen’s wicket was the roadblock which Gujarat required so badly. Following KPs dismissal, Bravo and Jadeja alternatively dried up Pune’s run-scoring opportunities with some exceptional death bowling. The fact that Gujarat Lions gave away just 9 runs between the 17th and 19th overs is enough proof for their exceptional effort during the death. Du Plessis perished in the 16th overs, whereas Aussies Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh left without making much of an impact. Then came in MS Dhoni, who has flourished in his new role of the blitz finisher. Dhoni took on Bravo in the last over, smashing his former teammate for 20 runs in the final over of RPS innings. Pune settled for a competitive 163 on board, but relatively less in context of the start they got.

4. Finch, McCullum start off with a bang:

Brendon McCullum and Aaron Finch showed that why they can team up to become one of the most destructive opening pairs of IPL. The duo added a whopping 85 runs for the first wicket in just under 9 overs, which included a merciless assault against the hapless Pune pacers. RP Singh still looks woefully out of shape, whereas Ishant Sharma just couldn’t get his act together to handle the destructive duo. While Dhoni’s new found Ashwin provided the much needed break though (after getting hit for 4 boundaries in his first overs), the damage was already done and the equation was reduced to a very gettable 6.5 rpo.

5. Raina contributes, ‘Champion’ finishes off:

Once Brendon McCullum was dismissed, the match for Gujarat was a matter of when rather than whether. While Raina looked to get back in form with a slow but steady knock, he couldn’t manage to take Lions over the line as he fell a few runs short of the target. However, Bravo showcased his wide array of batting skills, thoroughly entertaining the home crowd. Eventually, the match was closed off unceremoniously with a wide. GL won it with 7 wickets and two overs in hand. This win places the Gujarat Lions at the top of the points table.

How did Twitter react to the game? – Twitter Reactions: Suresh Raina’s team holds edge over Dhoni’s men in a clash of the CSK titans