Highlights IPL 2017, RPS vs GL at Pune, cricket scores and updates: Pune beat Gujarat by 5 wickets

#IPL Match 41: Here are the Playing XIs for @KKRiders vs @RPSupergiants #KKRvRPS pic.twitter.com/TkqEgsge5l

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2017

#IPL: Here's how the team standings are at the end of Match 40 pic.twitter.com/XOLz3oiRGd

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2017

#IPL Match 41: The two-time champions are out in the middle warming up for KKRvRPS pic.twitter.com/iJc5B7xy7U

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2017

#IPL Match 41: The @RPSupergiants are getting into the groove for #KKRvRPS pic.twitter.com/b85fOgzcmm

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2017

That’s it from us and thanks for following Firstpost. We will be back bringing you all the score and updates from the upcomng IPL matches

Ben Stokes awarded the Man of the Match for his excellent century

Most Man of the Match awards in IPL-10:

3 – BEN STOKES*
2 – Nathan Coulter-Nile, Andrew Tye, Rashid Khan, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana

That's as good as a t20 hundred can get! Coming in at 5 in the 2nd over under pressure. Incredible @benstokes38! #wortheverycent💰 #freak

— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) May 1, 2017

Exactly why they paid all the dosh .... Best All rounder in the World by a country mile ... @benstokes38 ... #IPL

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 1, 2017

Ben strokes ! A serious knock @benstokes38 too much talent this guy possesses! Beautiful to watch as a left hander 👌🏼

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 1, 2017

Suresh Raina on GL’s loss: We were 20-25 runs short. I felt we bowled pretty well, but Ben Stokes played really well and took the game away from us. We are playing good cricket in all departments and we are just a win away from clicking. We still have four games to go and let’s hope we do well

In the short history of the new franchise, Ben Stokes has written a chapter that will be remembered even of the team does not endure. Treating adversity as opportunity, he has produced the kind of innings that will stop all discussions about how much RPS paid for him.

Did you know?

103* by Ben Stokes today is the highest by a batsman batting at No.5 or lower in IPL. The previous highest was 101* by David Miller against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Mohali in 2013.

Ben Stokes walked in when RPS were 10/3 and played one of the best T20 innings under pressure.
RPS have won 5 of their last 6#RPSvGL

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 1, 2017

IPL should always be remembered for matches and knocks like this.

What an innings Ben Stokes.
What a classic cricket match. #RPSvGL #IPL

— momocricket (@momocricket) May 1, 2017

ALL OVER! Rising Pune Supergiant beat Gujarat Lions by 5 wickets

Dan Christian finishes off things with a six but it’s Ben Stokes whose hundred set up the win for Pune. One of the finest T2o knocks from the English all-rounder helped Pune get over the line despite a horrible start to the innings when they lost three wickets in the first three overs

Did you know?

Ben Stokes becomes the second Rising Pune Supergiant batsman to score a century in IPL after Steve Smith. 

Players to score a century batting at No.5 in IPL:
Yusuf Pathan 
David Miller
BEN STOKES* 

Ben Stokes becomes the second England batsman to score a century in IPL after Kevin Pietersen

CENTURY! Ben Stokes brings up his hundred with a brilliant shot. Pune are almost home

If RPS win this, RCB will be out of #IPL2017 #RPSvGL

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 1, 2017

This is an unbelievable innings from @benstokes38 what commitment. Well played. @RPSupergiants can he take them over the line? #RPSvGL

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 1, 2017

After 19 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 154/5 ( Ben Stokes 98 , Daniel Christian 10)

Basil Thampi bowls a full toss to start his last over and gets the treatment as Stokes smashes him over long on for a six.  The Pune batsmen take four runs off the next three balls before Stokes hits another six off the penultimate delivery. Stokes keeps the strike with a single off the last ball. Pune need 8 runs off the last over

#stokes Playing One Of The Superb Innings of #IPL 2017.

— Rajesh Khilare (@Cricrajeshpk) May 1, 2017

Whatever the outcome now, surely Ben Stokes has to be MoM!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 1, 2017

Pune need 26 runs off last two overs

After 18 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 137/5 ( Ben Stokes 82 , Daniel Christian 9)

Pradeep Sangwan comes to bowl his last over. His slower one deceives Christain who nearly topedges one to long on. Pune pick up two valuable runs before Christian finds the off side boundary with a cut shot. Stokes hammers Sangwan’s full toss to the mid-wicket fence but Dwayne Smith intervenes with a brilliant piece of fielding. Ten runs come off the over.

In the past MS Dhoni could play himself in facing dot ball after dot ball and more often than not he would catch up and finished with a scoring rate of better than a run a ball. These days he is playing more and more innings where he gets out just as he starts to accelerate. That isn’t the end of the world today where rebuilding was more important than rapid scoring, but he just doesn’t look like the player he once was.

Three overs left, one to be bowled by Thampi, and lots of options for the other two. Stokes and Christian have no options though, need to try to hit every ball for four.

After 17 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 126/5 ( Ben Stokes 78 , Daniel Christian 2)

Basil Thampi returns to the attack and how! He breaks the partnership by getting rid of MS Dhoni on the very first ball. Stokes and Dan Christian rotate the strike to get three runs off the next three deliveries, before Stokes sends a shot over Thampi’s head for a boundary. Stokes keeps the strike with a single off the last over. Pune need 36 runs off 18 balls

Well-bowled, Thampi. Pushed it wider & slower & made MSD alter his shot after having gained a reputation as a quick bowler#RPSvGL #IPL2017

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) May 1, 2017

OUT! MS Dhoni 26 (33) b Basil Thampi c Brendon McCullum

​

Dhoni hits a slower one straight to McCullum at long off

After 16 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 118/4 ( Ben Stokes 72 , MS Dhoni (W) 26)

Dwayne Smith starts his third with a wide, before striking the pads of Dhoni on the next ball. The appeal was turned down as the batsmen sneaked a single. Ben Stokes then dispatched a length ball over long on for a six. On the fourth ball, Stokes gave himself the room to find the off side boundary. The fourth delivery is a full toss which Stokes top edges. But it goes over the bowler’s head. Dhoni pushes Stokes for two runs which they get. Pune get 16 off that over and remain well on course to chase down the target

Not the first time Suresh Raina has shown such faith in Dwayne Smith. Well......

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 1, 2017

After 15 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 102/4 ( Ben Stokes 59 , MS Dhoni (W) 25)

James Faulkner comes back into the attack but Dhoni pegs him back straightway with a six off the second ball. He follows it up with a couple. Ishan Kishan does well at point to save a boundary on the third delivery as Stokes returns to the strike. The duo pick up singles off the last three balls for Dhoni to return to the strike. Pune need 60 runs off 30 balls

Well bowled Ankit. Intelligent stuff Keeping Dhoni & Strokes quiet is terrific Keep going lad Lot of Injustice was done to u in Bombay

— Makarand Waingankar (@wmakarand) May 1, 2017

Dhoni, at least uphold the Indian tradition of belting Faulkner

— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) May 1, 2017

When MS Dhoni smashed his return to form knock against SRH, he said that you can’t win matches like that everyday. RPS need an innings like that again from him though. He has taken his time to gauge the situation, and now looks set to explode. But if he gets out here, it will be a tall ask for the lower order.

After 14 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 90/4 ( Ben Stokes 57 , MS Dhoni (W) 15)

Dwayne Smith does a good job for captain Suresh Raina as he sneaks in a three-run over. The equation is getting difficult for Pune who need 73 runs off the final six overs. Dhoni has had too many dot balls in this innings and now needs to shift gears to make up for it

Ben Stokes has brought his team right back into this with a fine half century. It was always going to be hard for the England player to live up to his astronomical price-tag, but he has done enough to make you think he will be retained for next season by RPS (if they still exist). Winning this game after the loss of four early wickets will go a long way to cementing his status in the IPL.

After 13 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 87/4 ( Ben Stokes 55 , MS Dhoni (W) 14)

Ankit Soni finishes off an excellent spell without conceding a single boundary. Just seven runs come off his last over. Dhoni struggling to score boundaries but manages to pick up three twos. The game still very much in Pune’s reach, but it’s getting tighter every over

Looks like another good 160 game. Intrigued to see how two fine batsmen @benstokes38 and @msdhoni approach this

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 1, 2017

After 12 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 80/4 ( Ben Stokes 55 , MS Dhoni (W) 8)

Ben Stokes scores a boundary off the last ball to make it a decent over for Pune as eight runs came off it. Pune need Dhoni to score a bit quickly to ease the pressure off Stokes as Gujarat send down some good overs

FIFTY! Ben Stokes brings up his half century from 38 deliveries

FIFTY! Ben Stokes brings up his half century from 38 deliveries

After 11 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 72/4 ( Ben Stokes 49 , MS Dhoni (W) 6)

Another good over from Ankit Soni who didn’t give away a boundary. Pune batsmen were forced to maneuver him for singles and score just five runs off the over. Pune need 90 runs from 54 balls

Raina should bowl a few overs here#RPSvGL

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 1, 2017

After 10 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 67/4 ( Ben Stokes 46 , MS Dhoni (W) 5)

Ravindra Jadeja continued with his second over, but Ben Stokes attacked him from the outset. The English all-rounder smashed back to back sixes to bring down the required run rate that went above ten runs per over. Stokes then bagged a couple to make it a big over for Pune

After 10 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 67/4 ( Ben Stokes 46 , MS Dhoni (W) 5)

Ravindra Jadeja continued with his second over, but Ben Stokes attacked him from the outset. The English all-rounder smashed back to back sixes to bring down the required run rate that went above ten runs per over. Stokes then bagged a couple to make it a big over for Pune

After a spell of tight bowling, again aided by MS Dhoni’s slow starts, Ben Stokes has negated that with a 15 run over. Intelligent choice of bowler to attack, choosing the ball coming in to him and targeting the short boundary. RPS are still well behind in the run rate, and these two will have to bat long to get them close.

After 10 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 67/4 ( Ben Stokes 46 , MS Dhoni (W) 5)

Ravindra Jadeja continued with his second over, but Ben Stokes attacked him from the outset. The English all-rounder smashed back to back sixes to bring down the required run rate that went above ten runs per over. Stokes then bagged a couple to make it a big over for Pune

Dhoni has opened his stance slightly today for the SLA.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) May 1, 2017

After 9 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 52/4 ( Ben Stokes 31 , MS Dhoni (W) 5)

Ankit Soni continued and Stokes and Dhoni struggled to get him away. The bowler bowled a great line and varied his pace, giving away just one run from that over

After 8 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 51/4 ( Ben Stokes 30 , MS Dhoni (W) 5)

Ravindra Jadeja came into the attack and Dhoni drove him for a four off the first ball. However Jadeja shackled him up after that and followed it up with five straight dot balls. Useful overs these for Gujarat as they don’t allow Pune to up their run rate

After 7 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 47/4 ( Ben Stokes 30 , MS Dhoni (W) 1)

Ankit Soni comes into the attack. He alomost gets Stokes off the first ball as the ball flies off his outside edge, just wide of the slip fielder. Stokes gives Dhoni the strike much to the delight of the crowd, but the former Indian captain uses up three deliveries to settle in. A single off the last ball means he keeps strike. Good over from Soni to start off

After 6 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 43/4 ( Ben Stokes 27 , MS Dhoni (W) 0)

James Faulkner replaces Basil Thampi in the attack and bowls a good over. The highlight of the over though was Rahul Tripathi’s run out. A complete lack of communication between the two batsmen saw Ben Stokes return for the second run, leaving Tripathi with no choice but sacrifice the wicket. Six runs off the over bringing an end to a poor PowerPlay for Pune

The RPS fans will be looking at this with horror. What should have been a straightforward road to the target has suddenly become a maze. But the best players look at these situations as a challenge, and an opportunity. And Dhoni and Stokes are among the best.

Did you know?

Rahul Tripathi has been dismissed under 30 runs for the first time after six consecutive innings in this IPL.

After 6 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 43/4 ( Ben Stokes 27 , MS Dhoni (W) 0)

James Faulkner replaces Basil Thampi in the attack and bowls a good over. The highlight of the over though was Rahul Tripathi’s run out. A complete lack of communication between the two batsmen saw Ben Stokes return for the second run, leaving Tripathi with no choice but sacrifice the wicket. Six runs off the over bringing an end to a poor PowerPlay for Pune

Pune in quandary of their own making. Gujarat score hardly unattainable, but with so many wickets lost already, Pune under gr8 duress

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 1, 2017

OUT! Rahul Tripathi 6(7) run out

A huge mix-up as Rahul Tripathi sacrifices his wicket

After 5 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 37/3 ( Rahul Tripathi 6 , Ben Stokes 21)

Pradeep Sangwan into his third over and his first ball darted off the outside edge of Ben Stokes, but thanks to some top fielding in the deep, it was kept down to two. Stokes though followed it up with a pull for six over fine leg on the next ball, before taking a single to bring Tripathi on strike. The young opener then joined the party with cracking shot through point for a boundary. Sangwan came back well to finish off with two dot balls, but it was good over for Pune

After 4 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 24/3 ( Rahul Tripathi 2 , Ben Stokes 12)

Decent over for Pune. Stokes eased the pressure with a boundary off the first ball. Basil Thampi came back well to concede just three more runs

Stokes is such a clean striker that he doesn't need to hit it hard. His only issue as sometimes he looks to just thump it.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) May 1, 2017

In 2008 #ipl auction Delhi Daredevils had the first pick from the Under-19 players. The DD management went for Pradeep Sangwan #RPSvGL

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 1, 2017

After 4 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 24/3 ( Rahul Tripathi 2 , Ben Stokes 12)

Decent over for Pune. Stokes eased the pressure with a boundary off the first ball. Basil Thampi came back well to concede just three more runs

What an eventful start. Interesting to see the batting order, with MS Dhoni not coming out at four or five. Probably has to do with giving Stokes the time to make a big score. I’m very keen to see if Tripathi changes his approach. Also keen to see Washington Sundar bat.

After 3 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 17/3 ( Rahul Tripathi 1 , Ben Stokes 6)

Another top over from Pradeep Sangwan who is darting his deliveries at the left handers. Ben Stokes did manage to get a boundaryoff the second ball, but Sangwan came back strongly to give away just two more runs

The big worry for the Lions in this match was where wickets would come from now that Andrew Tye is out of the tournament with injury. Sangwan has come into the team and has looked fantastic and an early scalp for Thampi has meant that this has been the dream start for the visitors. 

With Ben Stokes and Tripathi in the middle and Dhoni and Christian to come this match isn’t over yet, but it will take one of the two batsmen in the middle right now to be batting for at least another 10 overs.

After 2 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 11/3 ( Rahul Tripathi 1 , Ben Stokes 1)

What a start by Gujarat Lions. Basil Thampi got rid of Manoj Tiwary who was promoted up the order on the third delivery after conceding just two runs off the first two deliveries. Ben Stokes came to the crease after the wicket and managed to get just one run. Great over from Thampi

Not happening for Rahane and Smith and Pune in big trouble already. This is now a match for Gujarat to lose

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 1, 2017

Steve Smith got out like an Indian batsman
Drawbacks of spending too much time in India?

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) May 1, 2017

Guess the third umpire should intervene to eliminate marginal lbw calls. Clearly the ball pitched outside leg-stump. Unlucky Rahane#RPSvGL

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 1, 2017

OUT! Manoj Tiwary 0(2) lbw Basil Thampi

After 1 overs,Rising Pune Supergiant 8/2 ( Rahul Tripathi 0 , )

Pradeep Sangwan bowls the first over for Gujarat against Ajinkya Rahane. The Indian vice-captain punishes a delivery straying down the leg side for a boundary, but is trapped LBW on the fourth delivery. Steve Smith who replaced Rahane hit the first ball for a boundary but perished a delivery later after top edging one to short fine-leg. Great start for Gujarat

OUT! Steve Smith 4 (2) b Pradeep Sangwan c Ankit Soni

OUT! Ajinkya Rahane 4(4) lbw Pradeep Sangwan

Gujarat Lions have only won match while batting first in IPL. On the other hand, Rising Pune Supergiant have won two out of three matches while chasing in this IPL.

Brilliant comeback by RPS. Lions were going at 10 runs for over  in the first half, and to pull them backto eight RPO was phenomenal. This is also the first time ever that RPS have bowled any opposition out.

Gujarat Lions 162 all out

A great last over from Jaydev Unadkat who picked up his third wicket of the day. Pune will be happy to pull back Gujarat to a score of 162 after the kind of start they got. Tahir bowled extremely well and was well supported by Ben Stokes and Sahrdul Thakur as well. Pune will fancy their chances of chasing this target against the Gujarat bowling attack

Another disappointing batting performance from the Lions who looked set for somewhere in the region of 180 to 200 before Imran Tahir’s three quick wickets to peg back the scoring rate of the visiting side.

Ankit Soni 0 (1) b Jaydev Unadkat

OUT! Dinesh Karthik run out

After 19 overs,Gujarat Lions 155/8 ( Dinesh Karthik (W) 25 , Basil Thampi 1)

Ben Stokes piles on the pressure on Gujarat Lions with two dot balls to start off. But Thamp finally got off strike allowing Karthik to score six runs off the remaining three balls to take Gujarat’s score past 150.

It is the RPS who have made the most of a balanced position. Whereas they have previously struggled to contain at the back end of the innings, here they are doing an excellent job. There hasn’t been a boundary since the 14th over.

It is the RPS who have made the most of a balanced position. Whereas they have previously struggled to contain at the back end of the innings, here they are doing an excellent job. There hasn’t been a boundary since the 14th over.

This game set up nicely, with both sides threatening to scale the opposition walls. Two more wickets for RPS would expose the GL tail, and two big overs for GL will set them on course for 200. Given the conditions favour the batters, the latter situation more likely.

After 18 overs,Gujarat Lions 148/8 ( Dinesh Karthik (W) 19 , Basil Thampi 0)

Excellent over from Unadkat. Two wickets from it and just two runs given away. Gujarat Lions have fallen apart here after a great start, but credit must go to their bowlers for sticking to their gameplan

OUT! Pradeep Sangwan 1 (2) b Jaydev Unadkat c Rahul Tripathi

OUT! James Faulkner 6(6) b Jaydev Unadkat c Manoj Tiwary

After 17 overs,Gujarat Lions 146/6 ( Dinesh Karthik (W) 18 , James Faulkner 6)

Dan Christian bowls a very tidy over at the death for Pune. Gujarat struggling to fire in the last overs, especially Dinesh Karthik, who is a set batsman

After 16 overs,Gujarat Lions 140/6 ( Dinesh Karthik (W) 17 , James Faulkner 2)

Imran Tahir comes in to bowl his last over with him on a hattrick but Dinesh Karthik negotiates the hat-trick ball well. A single brings new man James Faulkner on strike who is happy to just rotate the strike. Just five runs come from the over as Gujarat play Tahir out

After 15 overs,Gujarat Lions 135/6 ( Dinesh Karthik (W) 14 , )

Dan Christian into the attack for Pune and Gujarat once again manage to keep the scoreboard ticking thanks to some excellent running between the wickets. But it’s Christian who makes a telling impact in the over as he gets rid of Ravindra Jadeja who is caught by Unadkat at short fine leg on the last ball

OUT! Ravindra Jadeja 19 (12) b Dan Christian c Jaydev Unadkat

After 14 overs,Gujarat Lions 128/5 ( Dinesh Karthik (W) 10 , Ravindra Jadeja 16)

Thakur bowls his third over and Karthik straightway gives the strike to Jadeja who hits on in the air but away from the fielder for a single. Karthik once again gives him back the strike and Jadeja punishes a poor delivery down the leg side for a boundary. Just seven runs come off that over

Ben Stokes Pune's most coveted overseas player with good reason. But it is Imran Tahir who has kept them in hunt for place in play-offs

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 1, 2017

Did you know?

Suresh Raina has been dismissed runout 11 times in IPL which is the joint fourth most times in IPL. Gautam Gambhir has been dismissed runout 15 times in IPL which is a record.

After 13 overs,Gujarat Lions 121/5 ( Dinesh Karthik (W) 9 , Ravindra Jadeja 11)

Ben Stokes continues for Pune. Karthik who is joined by Jadeja at the crease make sure theuy keep the scoreboard ticking with singles off the first two deliveries. Then Jadeja takes charge and follows it up by a double and two boundaries to end a good over for Gujarat. 12 runs off it

Most wickets at Gahunje in IPL:

14 – IMRAN TAHIR*
13 – Ashok Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rahul Sharma 
10 – Thisara Perera

The Mumbai-Pune expressway is just outside the stadium if Imran Tahir gets a hat-trick. #RPSvGL #IPL

— Jaideep Vaidya (@jaideepjourno) May 1, 2017

After 12 overs,Gujarat Lions 109/5 ( Dinesh Karthik (W) 8 , Ravindra Jadeja 0)

Shardul Thakur is unlucky not to have got Dinesh Karthik LBW as he hit him on the back leg, but the umpire adjudged him as not out. Karthik then added salt to Thakur’s wound with a fine cover drive to score a boundary. But the Pune pacer was redeemed the damages of his misfortune earlier in the over, as he got the priced wicket of McCullum who was caught in the deep. Good over for Pune

OUT! Brendon McCullum 45 (27) b Shardul Thakur c Ajinkya Rahane

This might be one of those T20 innings that prove how little wickets matter. McCullum will certainly keep attacking, and the ball is coming on to the bat nicely. With the run rate close to 10, despite the four wickets,  RPS could still end up chasing a skyscraper of a score.

What do you think of when you think legspinner? ‘Will go for runs, but get you wickets’, you might say. That’s exactly what is happening with Imran Tahir. And nobody, nobody can catch him when he’s off celebrating. What a sight.

After 11 overs,Gujarat Lions 101/4 ( Brendon McCullum 44 , Dinesh Karthik (W) 1)

Ben Stokes back into the attack for Pune and takes McCullum’s outside edge on the first ball. Unfortunately for him it goes to the boundary. Stokes bowls tight over after that as new batsman Dinesh Karthik uses some balls to settle in. Seven runs come off the over

After 10 overs,Gujarat Lions 94/4 ( Brendon McCullum 39 , )

What an over from Imran Tahir. Two wickets off two balls bring Pune right back into the game. The first one stopped on Finch who hit straight back to Tahir, while Smith was too slow to react to a quicker one. The over began well for Finch who had hit the first ball for a six

OUT! Dwayne Smith 0 (1) b Imran Tahir

OUT! Aaron Finch c & b Imran Tahir

The Lions are in serious danger of throwing away a very good start here with Raina departing for just 8 from 8. Raina was the leading run scoring in this year’s tournament, albeit very briefly, and despite being a bit hit and miss thus far his departure will hurt the Lions. He is the one guy in the top order that can really build an innings around which others can bat.

After 9 overs,Gujarat Lions 86/2 ( Brendon McCullum 38 , Aaron Finch 6)

Dan Christian into the attack for Pune as Aaron Finch comes out to bat for Lions after the loss of Raina’s wicket. McCullum attempts a horizontal-batted shot over long on but doesn’t time it well and that actually saves him. Aaron Finch who gets on strike after a single then gets his first boundary. That’s followed by a hugely risky single where direct hit would have got Pune another wicket. However the nerves are settled as McCullum slams the last ball of the over for six on the leg side. Gujarat going along very well

After 8 overs,Gujarat Lions 71/2 ( Brendon McCullum 30 , )

Imran Tahir bowls his second straight over. Suresh Raina and McCullum milk him by picking up ones and twos, before Raina decides to take him on. The Gujarat skipper doesn’t connect well and it results in a dot ball. Gujarat takes a risky second one on the next delivery and that brings the end of Raina’s innings as he is run out. Excellent over for Pune

OUT! Suresh Raina 8(8) run out Ajinkya Rahane

After 7 overs,Gujarat Lions 66/1 ( Brendon McCullum 29 , Suresh Raina (C) 4)

Shardul Thakur comes into the attack as Suresh Raina walks out to the middle. But it’s McCullum who is looking really promising for the Lions. H ecomes down the tracks and slaps Thakur for a boundary. With Raina, the running between the wickets automatically improves and Gujarat score 11 runs off that over

After 6 overs,Gujarat Lions 55/1 ( Brendon McCullum 23 , )

Steve Smith brought Imran Tahir into the attack to break the partnership, but after a cautious start from McCullum and Ishan Kishan, the latter went after the South African leg-spinner and scored back-to-back boundaries. Buoyed by his exploits he then hit one straight to Washington Sundar on the offside and once again Tahir got the breakthrough for Pune. However it was a good PowerPlay for Gujarat

You know that Smith is under pressure when Imran Tahir has been introduced within the powerplay. So far this virgin strip is proving to be a batting beauty, and despite Tahir having the last laugh, RPS are behind in the game early.

This has been an excellent PowerPlay from the Lions and seam bowling looks pretty straight forward to face on this pitch. A lot will depend on how well Imran Tahir does with his four overs. The Lions have shown that if they are given the chance to set a big platform with wickets in hand for the death overs they have been brutal on bowling sides. The issue has been that they have lost early wickets far too regularly. Tahir already has one wicket, but with McCullum still at the crease there is still work for him and the RPS bowlers to do.

OUT! Ishan Kishan 31 (24) b Imran Tahir c Washington Sundar

​

Kishan hits a widish delivery straight to gully

After 5 overs,Gujarat Lions 46/0 ( Ishan Kishan 23 , Brendon McCullum 22)

Ben Stokes into the attack for Pune to bowl the fifth over. McCullum welcomed him back to fitness and into the team with a deft boundary. It was the second time that McCullum found the boundary with third man up. On the next ball, the former NZ captain showed the other side of the game as he bludgeoned Stokes over mid-wicket for a six. The Englishman then came back well as Gujarat scored 11 runs off the over

After 4 overs,Gujarat Lions 35/0 ( Ishan Kishan 23 , Brendon McCullum 11)

Washington Sundar continued for Pune, this time facing Brendon McCullum. But the youngster didn’t provide him with any room to free his arms and had to be content with a single off the third ball. Ishan Kishan who struggled to score against Sundar last over came down the track to get some runs going and took an inside edge but missed the stumps, it also got him four runs. The next ball, Kishan finally got the better of Sundar as he smashed him for a six on the leg side. 11 runs come off it for Gujarat

After 3 overs,Gujarat Lions 24/0 ( Ishan Kishan 13 , Brendon McCullum 10)

Jaydev Unadkat continues for Pune and Gujarat Lions acquire three runs off the first two balss with some risk. The third umpire has to be called in to confirm the Lions had completed their couple. Ishan Kishan then gets another double off fourth ball off the over, before he executed his pull shot to perfection to get a six over square leg. Good over for Lions with 12 runs coming off it

I will always wonder how MS Dhoni hits the stumps without even looking at them with almost 100% accuracy #IPL

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) May 1, 2017

The Lions will miss AJ Tye massively in this match, and there will be huge pressure on their batting line up to set a decent total. In the matches leading up to Tye’s shoulder injury there had been some positive signs from the Lions. 

We now know that RCB cannot progress, but neither Supergiant or the Lions are out of this IPL just yet, but a loss here could well end any slim hopes they have of making the knockout stages.

After 2 overs,Gujarat Lions 12/0 ( Ishan Kishan 2 , Brendon McCullum 9)

Steve Smith gives the ball to Washington Sundar in the very second over of the PowerPlay. Just goes to show the faith he has in the 17-year-old. Sundar repays Smith’s pace with a very tight over. He hardly deviated from the stump-to-stump line and Ishan Kishan had no answer. Just one run off the over. Great start for the youngster

After 1 overs,Gujarat Lions 11/0 ( Ishan Kishan 1 , Brendon McCullum 9)

Jaydev Unadkat who has been performing really well for RPS recently opens the bowling for the Pune side. Brendon McCullum gives him a warm welcome with a cracking boundary off the second ball, almost signaling his intent. But Unadkat comes back really well and a slower one almost gets him McCullum’s wicket. Unfortunately the ball falls just short of Steve Smith at mid-on. But it’s the former New Zealand captain who has the last laugh as he just pushes the last ball to the boundary with third man up. 11 runs off the first over for GL

After 1 overs,Gujarat Lions 11/0 ( Ishan Kishan 1 , Brendon McCullum 9)

Jaydev Unadkat who has been performing really well for RPS recently opens the bowling for the Pune side. Brendon McCullum gives him a warm welcome with a cracking boundary off the second ball, almost signaling his intent. But Unadkat comes back really well and a slower one almost gets him McCullum’s wicket. Unfortunately the ball falls just short of Steve Smith at mid-on. But it’s the former New Zealand captain who has the last laugh as he just pushes the last ball to the boundary with third man up. 11 runs off the first over for GL

Ishan Kishan and Brendon McCullum open the innings for Gujarat Lions

“Important to win this game because after this we have a couple of away games” , says Steve Smith at the toss. It is debatable how much of a factor home advantage is. Knowledge of conditions, perhaps, but the last two pitches in Pune have been two different beasts. Tonight, a new strip altogether is being used.

Gujarat Lions have not lost a match against Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL. They have played three and won all of them.

Teams:

Pune XI: Rahane, Tripathi, Smith (c), Tiwary, Stokes Dhoni, Christian, SUndar, Unadkat, Thakur, Tahir.

Gujarat XI: Kishan, McCullum, Raina (c), Finch, Karthik, Jadeja, Smith, Faulkner, Sangwan, Thampi, Soni.

Two changes for both teams: RPS bring in Stokes and Thakur in place of Ferguson and Chahar, while GL replace Pathan and Tye with Smith and Sangwan.

TOSS: Rising Pune Supergiant win the toss, and elect to field in Match 39 of IPL 2017.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of IPL 2017 match between Rising Pune Supergiant and Gujarat Lions. RPS are in red hot form going into the game, while Gujarat Lions have been patchy off late. Stick around for all the Live scores, updates from the game