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Pune: The most expensive player to come out of the IPL auctions this year played one of the best innings we have seen this season.
Rising Pune Supergiant were set a target of 162 to win by Gujarat Lions. They ended the match with 167 on the board and Ben Stokes scored 103 runs out of that
Stokes came in to bat when Pune’s chances of winning the match looked to be in jeopardy. They had lost their first three wickets, including that of skipper Steve Smith, inside the first three overs with just 10 runs on the board.
Stokes came in at no. 5 and he was given company by Rahul Tripathi for sometime. The latter was soon dismissed by a brilliant fielding effort from Aaron Finch.
MS Dhoni then came on to the crease and the two managed to stabilise the RPS innings. Dhoni and Stokes put up a 76-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
The latter was the aggressor and soon the runs started to flow. Gujarat were put on the back foot.
Dhoni wasn’t at his destructive best, scoring 26 off 33 balls but he was the perfect foil for Ben Stokes’ power-hitting. Dhoni was eventually dismissed by Basil Thampi.
Dan Christian then joined Stokes in the middle and the two then saw RPS through.
Stokes got his century in the final over of the match and Christian got the winning runs with an emphatic six.
Brendon McCullum was the highest scorer for Gujarat Lions with 45 off 27 balls. Pune put up an impressive bowling effort.
Jaydev Unadkat and Imran Tahir picked up three wickets each and Shardul Thakur and Dan Christian chipped in with one apiece.
The win gives RPS a boost in their hunt for securing a spot in the IPL playoffs. They are fourth and now lead fifth placed Kings XI Punjab by four points with the latter having a game in hand.
Gujarat Lions, meanwhile, are now six points adrift of the top four and are sixth on the points table.
Brief scores
Gujarat Lions - 161 (McCullum 45, Kishan 31, Tahir 3-27, Unadkat 3-29)
Rising Pune Supergiant - 167 for 5 (Stokes 103*)
Result - Rising Pune Supergiant won by 5 wickets
