Sunday, April 15, 2012

IPL 2012: Ryder, Smith guide Pune to seven-wicket win over Chennai

Jesse Ryder and Steven Smith forged a match winning partnership that drove Pune Warriors to their third victory of the IPL 2012 season by seven wickets.

Batting first, off-colour Chennai Super Kings posted 155/5 replying to which, Pune’s New Zealand recruit Jesse Ryder and Australian all-rounder Steve Smith kept their cool to drive them home.

The match was stretched to the last over where Pune needed 10 runs and Smith cut short the formality by hitting Yo Mahesh’s first delivery for a boundary and the second for a six.

Earlier, Robin Uthappa was promoted at the top to open Pune’s innings along with Jesse Ryder but he failed to make use of the opportunity presented to him by his captain. A slight misunderstanding in the middle meant he was run out after deciding late to go for a double. He, though, showed aggression by punching Albie Morkel for a six in the second over of the match. He departed after scoring 10