New Delhi: The calming presence of Ajinkya Rahane made
sure that Rising Pune Supergiants register a comfortable seven-wicket win
over an in-form Delhi Daredevils side at Feroz Shah Kotla on Thursday.
The win also
revived Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team’s campaign in the 2016 Indian Premier
League (IPL) season. They are now sixth in league table with six points from
nine matches, as against Delhi’s ten from eight matches.
Chasing a 163-run target set by Delhi, Rahane (63 no.
off 48) and their new recruit Usman Khawaja (30 off 27) posted a patient 59-run
opening stand to give a solid foundation towards its fruition.
After the departure of the Aussie talent, who had a
productive Big Bash season, Rahane in company of promoted Saurabh Tiwary (21
off 18) posted another sizeable stand for the second wicket.
Then, MS Dhoni arrived with a license to swing and
play his natural attacking game in the final stretch of the match. He hit 27
runs off 20 balls with the help of two sixes and a four.
The finishing touches was given by hard-hitting Sri
Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera (14 off 5), even as Rahane hit the winning
runs with a four.
Supergiants remained at number six in the points table
but got a crucial win under their belt, having struggled to find their feet in
their debut season after losing some key players to injuries.
Sunrisers Hyderabad faces Gujarat Lions today in
Hyderabad.
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