Aaron Finch scored a superb half century as Pune Warriors coasted to a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Match 13 of IPL6 at Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune on Thursday.
After having lost both their previous matches, Pune were desperate for a win and it could not have come against an opponent who had registered two easy victories.
Chasing a challenging 146 to win, Pune got the best start of the season with Robin Uthappa and Finch smashing 58 runs in less than five overs.
Uthappa who was brilliantly caught by Rahul Dravid had done enough damage before departing on 32 from 16 balls including three hits to the fence and two over it.
Then after Finch slowed down his aggression and played a composed knock of 64 off 53 balls with six boundaries and three sixes, Yuvraj Singh steered them home with an unbeaten 28 off 23 balls with two boundaries and two sixes, including the winning hit.
Earlier, a well-crafted half century by skipper Rahul Dravid, saw Rajasthan Royals score 145 for five in 20 overs against Pune Warriors.
Dravid’s team have been unbeaten so far in this tournament but they certainly would not be happy with the total they have posted.
After losing Kusal Perera in the very first ball, Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane put things back on track sharing a superb 81-run for the second wicket.
Dravid scored eight classic boundaries to reach 54 from 48 balls while Rahane made 30 from 27 deliveries.
But some superb bowling from Bhuvaneshwar Kumar followed by spinners Rahul Sharma and Yuvraj Singh slowed down Rajasthan progress in the middle.
But a late cameo from Brad Hodge (22 not out) and James Faulkner (19 not out) ensured Rajasthan had a challenging total to defend.
For the hosts, Sharma and Yuvraj picked up two wickets each.
PUNE WARRIORS INNINGS
Yuvraj hammered a boundary and six off Sreeshanth as Pune reached their target with eight balls to spare.
Yuvraj blasts a boundary off Sreeshanth in the 19th over as Pune race to victory.
Finch is bowled by Faulkner. Great batting Finch as he makes 64.
Pune close into their first win. Need 18 from 24 balls.
Yuvraj provides some entertainment to the home crowd. Great six.
Five runs from that over Pune need 29 from 30 balls.
Pune well under control. Need 34 from 36. Finch on 57.
Finch scores another boundary. Great going.
Yuvraj Singh is in the middle and Pune just needs 42 from 48.
R Taylor c Hodge b Harmeet Singh 17 (20b 0x4 1x6)
Good catch taken by Hodge in the deep and Taylor goes. But Pune would not worry much.
Taylor punishes young Singh. Super six to take Pune past 100.
Pune are not taking any risks and cruising smoothly. They now need 50 from 54 deliveries.
Finch reaches to his 50 in style with a six. It comes of 37 deliveries.
Things looking simple for Pune. Finch and Taylor rotating strikes well. Pune are 82 for 1 in 9 overs.
Two boundaries after a long gap from Finch. Pune reach 79 for 1 in 8 overs. Finch reaches 38.
Good battle in the middle. After seven overs Pune are 67 for 1.
Pune have lot of overs to play and have to bat sensibly from here.
Lucky boundary for Finch as he races to 27, Pune reach 62 for 1. Need 84 to win from 87 balls.
A great catch by skipper Dravid ends Uthappa's innings. But he's given Pune a great start. Pune are 58 for 1 in five overs.
R Uthappa c Dravid b Faulkner 32 (16b 3x4 2x6)
Bowling change, Faulkner comes in to bowl. Finch does not spare him either. Gets another boundary.
Sreesanth gets it this time. Uthappa on fire. Dealing in boundaries and sixes. Dravid not happy at all. Pune reach 50 in less than four overs.
That's gone miles. Superb six from Finch, Singh facing the heat. Good over for Pune.
Back to back boundaries from Uthappa off Singh.
A six from Sreesanth's last ball and Pune are 13 for 0.
Sreesanth to bowl from the other end. He has been consistent this season.
Finch gets into the act immediately. Sweeps to a boundary. Pune 6 for no loss.
Robin Uthappa and Aaron Finch open for Pune. Chasing a target of 146 in 20 overs. Rajasthan start with spinner Harmeet Singh.
RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS
Led by a well-crafted half century by skipper Rahul Dravid, Rajasthan Royals scored 145 for five in 20 overs against Pune Warriors.
Dravid’s team have been unbeaten so far in this tournament but they certainly would not be happy with the total they have posted today.
After losing Kusal Perera in the very first ball, Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane put things back on track sharing a superb 81-run for the second wicket.
Dravid scored eight classic boundaries to reach 54 from 48 balls while Rahane made 30 from 27 deliveries.
But some superb bowling from Bhuvaneshwar Kumar followed by spinners Rahul Sharma and Yuvraj Singh slowed down Rajasthan progress in the middle.
But a late cameo from Brad Hodge (22 not out) and James Faulkner (19 not out) ensured Rajasthan had a challenging total to defend.
For the hosts, Sharma and Yuvraj picked up two wickets each.
Good comeback in the final over as Rajasthan score a competitive 145 for 5 in 20 overs.
Another boundary and Rajasthan get to 144 for 5. One more ball to go.
Second boundary comes and Rajasthan need them badly.
Final over and Hodge starts off with a boundary.
Dinda bowling a great over not giving any opportunity for Rajasthan batsmen to free their hands. Just four runs coming off his final over.
Good over for Rajasthan, 14 runs coming off it. Rajasthan 126 for 5 in 18 overs.
Kumar is welcomed by a massive six from Faulkner. A low full toss punished hard.
Rajasthan desperately need some big shots now. But Mathews not giving them any easy runs. Another great over.
D Yagnik c Suman b Sharma 12 (8b 2x4 0x6)
It's not a good situation for Rajasthan lose Yagnik. They are 106 for 5 in 17 overs.
Yagnik attempts a reverse sweep and succeeds to get a boundary. 10 from the over. Rajasthan are 102 for 4 in 15 overs.
Yagnik arrives and guides one to a boundary. Rajasthan need more of these.
Wonderful catch by Ross Taylor off Yuvraj bowling.
R Dravid c Taylor b Yuvraj Singh 54 (48b 8x4 0x6)
Bowlers dominating. Another good over for Pune with Mathews giving away only 4 runs.
Mathews had a chance but could not hold on to the catch offered by Hodge.
Skipper Angelo Mathews takes the ball to bowl. It's been quite some time since Rajasthan got a boundary.
Good over from Yuvraj. Rajasthan reach 88 for 3 in 13 overs.
Brad Hodge joins Dravid, Rajasthan needs some big ones now
S Binny c Marsh b Yuvraj Singh 1 (4b 0x4 0x6)
Rajasthan lose another to step up the scoring rate. Binny goes for just one as Rajasthan are 85 for 3 in 12.2 overs.
That's a great half century from Dravid from only 43 deliveries. Some wonderful strokeplay.
Dravid on 49 as Rajasthan reach 83 for two in 12 overs. Good over from Rahul Sharma giving away just three runs.
A Rahane c Mathews b Sharma 30 (27b 3x4 0x6)
Rahul Sharma strikes and Rahane goes attempting a big one.
Dravid goes aerial and another boundary. Rajasthan reach 80 for 1 in 11 overs.
It's time Rajasthan took some chances. They have wickets in hand.
Dravid could have messed it up but lucky to survive a run out. Rajasthan 72 for 1 in 10 overs.
Another good shot from Dravid to the boundary helps Rajasthan to 71 for 1.
Rajasthan need to step up and Rahane does that in style stepping out to hammer a nice boundary off Marsh.
A much needed boundary from Dravid which takes Rajasthan to 61 for 1 in nine overs.
Rajasthan slows down. Rahul Sharma and Yuvraj bowling well in tandem. Rajasthan 54 for 1 in 8 overs.
Yuvraj comes into to bowl and the crowd goes gaga. Bowls well Rajasthan are 49 for 1 in 7 overs.
Rahul Sharma brought into the attack. A good tidy over from him giving away only three runs. Rajasthan 43 for 1 in 6 overs.
Another classic from Dravid. Placed nicely and superb timing. That's his fifth four already. Rajasthan 40 for 1 in 5 overs.
Rahane follows his experienced partner, executes a lovely cover drive.
Rajasthan chugs along nicely after the early setback. Dravid in particular looks to be impressive dealing with only boundaries at the moment. 29 for 1 in four overs.
Dravid you beauty. Another straight one to the boundary from the Wall. Rajasthan reach 20 for 1 in three overs.
Rajasthan look to be steady as they reach 14 for 1 in 2 overs.
Dravid at his best. Gets his second boundary a superb cover drive as the fielders stand and watch.
Great over to start for Kumar. But Dravid relieves the pressure with a classy boundary. Rajasthan 7 for 1 in 1 over.
K Perera lbw b Kumar 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
Kumar strikes in his first ball as Kusal goes. Rajasthan 0 for 1.
Bottom team Pune Warriors India (PWI) take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 13 of IPL6 at Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium in Pune on Thursday.
PWI have lost both their matches and lie at the bottom of the table.
RR are sitting pretty in the top half of the table with two wins.
The bad news for RR is they have been hit by injuries to Shane Watson, Shaun Tait and Rahul Shukla.
James Faulkner, Harmeet Singh and Kusal Perera are in.
For Pune, Aaron Finch and Yuvraj Singh return in place of Marlon Samuels and Manish Pandey.
STARTING XI
PWI: R Uthappa, A Finch, Y Singh, T Suman, R Taylor, A Nayar, A Mathews, M Marsh, B Kumar, R Sharma, A Dinda
RR: A Rahane, R Dravid, S Binny, B Hodge, K Cooper, D Yagnik, K Perera, S Sreesanth, J Faulkner, H Singh, S Trivedi