After a slightly one-sided opening game, the IPL is back at its exhilarating best. Mumbai continue to show that they are slow starters. They have now lost their first match in every season since 2013. After the two teams exchanged away wins in the last season, the head-to-head now has a home winner. After a forgettable debut season, Pune return with a cracking start and the highest successful chase against Mumbai. That's all we have from this game. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. Be back tomorrow when Gujarat Lions kick off their campaign with a home fixture against two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders. Until then, goodbye!
"It's a nice place to bat, Pune," says Steven Smith, Pune captain and Man of the Match. "Fortunate to get over the line in the end. We always knew they would have to get an over in from a spinner or Pollard and we had to target them It was nice to hit a couple of sixes to hit the game. It was one of those wickets where it was hard to find timing as soon as you come in. Form is form anywhere, I guess, so you got to make the most of it when you're hitting the ball well. Imran Tahir was magnificent, probably called him on a little bit earlier than I would have liked to. Taking wickets through the middle overs was helpful and probably helped us in the end as well. Probably 180 was a par score on that wicket, pretty nice wicket with even bounce and slightly on the slower side."
Abdullah: "I would like to give some credit to Rajat Bhatia, he is one of the most under-rated all rounders in Indian Cricket, especially in the T20 format. He gave away just 14 runs off 3 overs, brilliant with his wobbly-dobbly medium pacers!!"
11.38pm Is there any stopping Steven Smith at this moment? First in the Tests and now in his first game of the 2017 IPL, he has stolen the show with an innings of poise. Smith hadn't played a T20 for Australia in a year, but in his first match as Supergiant captain, comes out and plays a blinder. Dropped on 36 by Nitish Rana and that is what happens when you let off good players. Not to forget Rahane's pristine innings at the top, laced with supreme timing that set the tone for the chase and Imran Tahir, who put behind his nightmarish last match against Mumbai Indians with three strikes in his first two overs. Presentations soon.
Arjun: "That is two matches in a row for Pune the captains have finished off the chase in the last over with consecutive sixes!!"
Shaan: "So it is not Indian team that cannot dismiss Smith, it is anyone in Indian conditions"
Saveed: "Now I cant decide whether relieving Dhoni of his duties was a bad decision or making Smith the captain a better choice on the base of individual performances"
Shankar: "Way to go Dhoni !! That's how you give transition to smith "
"I thought Smith batted really well. The kind of form he is in, he just took off from where he left," says Rohit Sharma, Mumbai captain. "The fielding didn't really help us. This is our first game and there is a lot of learning from this. Both bring very similar things to the table and Mitch McClenaghan has done very well for us which is why we picked him ahead of Mitchell Johnson. Mahela brings a lot of experience to the table, but we have a great squad and I am sure we will bounce back."
Fine leg and third man inside the circle.
Pollard in the 20th over in the IPL - 11.15 economy rate
Thirteen needed off the last over. Pollard to bowl
END OF OVER:19 | 7 Runs | RPS: 172/3 (13 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 9.05, RRR: 13.00)
- MS Dhoni10 (10b)
- Steven Smith71 (51b)
- Jasprit Bumrah4-0-29-0
- Mitchell McClenaghan4-0-36-1
Bumrah, with 20 off 12..
END OF OVER:18 | 7 Runs | RPS: 165/3 (20 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 9.16, RRR: 10.00)
- Steven Smith70 (50b)
- MS Dhoni4 (5b)
- Mitchell McClenaghan4-0-36-1
- Jasprit Bumrah3-0-22-0
Abhi: "On a hypothetical world I am imagining Bumrah & Malinga bowling the last 4 overs and defending this 20 odd runs !!"
That was such a good over from Bumrah until the last ball four. Mumbai need one tight over here.
END OF OVER:17 | 10 Runs | RPS: 158/3 (27 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.29, RRR: 9.00)
- Steven Smith65 (47b)
- MS Dhoni2 (2b)
- Jasprit Bumrah3-0-22-0
- Hardik Pandya4-0-36-1
Avneet : "Meanwhile, somewhere, KOHLI-ABD are laughing reading these comments of best pairs. "

