Manoj Tiwary and MS Dhoni scored 41 runs off the final two overs to steer Rising Pune Supergiant to 162 for four after a slow start in the first qualifier against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede.
Earlier, a half-century from Ajinkya Rahane had set the Supergiant on the way to a good total.
After their skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to field first, Mumbai Indians fast-bowlers – Mitchell McClenaghan and Lasith Malinga fully justified the decision by taking a wicket in their first overs respectively.
McClenaghan drew the first blood by shattering the dangerous Rahul Tripathi’s stumps before Malinga accounted for Supergiant skipper Steven Smith to leave the batting side reeling at 9 for two.
Ajinkya Rahane and Manoj Tiwary then began the rescue work and did not take any chance in the initial overs. As a result, the Supergiant could collect only 33 runs after the end of the powerplay before Tiwary hit the first six of the innings in the seventh over. But as the match progressed, the duo began playing some big shots and just when they were looking well-set to go for the lofted drives, the 80-run partnership came to an end, as Karn Sharma dismissed Rahane for 56.
Rahane’s 56-run knock came off 45 balls with the help of five fours and a maximum.
Rahane’s dismissal, meanwhile, came at a poor time for the Supergiant, as Tiwary and MS Dhoni found it tough to time the balls. In the next three overs after Rahane’s dismissal, they could manage only 20 runs, as their side huffed and puffed to 109 for three after the end of the 16th over. To make the matters worse, they could score only 12 runs in the next two overs.
But with just two overs remaining, Tiwary and Dhoni decided to free their arms and hit a six each in the penultimate over to collect 26 runs. The final over also went for 15 runs, as Supergiant recovered from a slow start to put up a good total. Tiwary was not-out on 58 off 48 balls while Dhoni scored 40 off just 26 balls with the help of five sixes.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:
Horror over from McCleneghan and a stirring finish from Dhoni. @RPSupergiants have lots to play with now.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 16, 2017
dhoni sixes. shastri on commentary. wankhede. #MIvRPS
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) May 16, 2017
Once a FREAK always a FREAK! MS Dhoni on ??????
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) May 16, 2017
Why can't teams have review system for wide ball as it makes a difference between winning n loosing @IPL #IPL2017
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 16, 2017
When you see Manoj Tiwary get a boundary. #MIvRPS pic.twitter.com/sDwavvmtE3
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) May 16, 2017
A happy wife means a happy Life. In a theatre ,watching match as wife watches a movie. Main bhi khush, Biwi bhi khush.
Simple joys.#MIvRPS pic.twitter.com/JulwjdzSe8— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/864514696887410690
https://twitter.com/Trendulkar/status/864514932993212416
Dhoni owning Wankhede, again.#MIvRPS
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) May 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/822037544497856513
MI should have known that there is different Dhoni that you need to prepare for once the knock out stage comes in any tournament..#MIvRPS
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) May 16, 2017
Played Rahane. Stepped up at the right time. Please bat on.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 16, 2017
Ben Stokes is such a huge loss for RPS. Tough to see them scoring runs (with both Smith, Tripathi failing) and defend targets without him.
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) May 16, 2017
Q: I was on the highway n my car "ran out" of fuel, what happens next?
A: Parthiv Patel appeals to d Umpire!!#MIvRPS #ipl— Marketing Schott (@Mitronium) May 16, 2017
Meanwhile, the Supergiant bowlers will have to be at their best to stop the high-flying Mumbai Indians from chasing down the total. The Rohit Sharma-led have been one of the best sides in this tournament and the Supergiant will have their task cut out against them especially in the absence of Ben Stokes.