Rising Pune Supergiants caused an upset when they beat Delhi Daredevils by 19 runs via D/L method. DD would have expected this to be a cakewalk and an easy two points in the kitty, but RPS had other plans. They played some fearless cricket to first restrict them to a low total of 121 and then chase down the score in a rain curtailed innings.

Earlier in the innings, the pacers bowled well for RPS as they hit the right lines and lengths. DD had a slow start and the batsmen were under pressure as the score read 28/2, with Ashok Dinda picking up both wickets. The spinners followed the suite as they spun a web around the batsmen. Adam Zampa and R Ashwin bowled really well and complimented each other to tie down the DD batting. DD had as much as 50 dot balls in their innings and that should give a fair idea on the performance of the two teams. Karun Nair played a lone innings of 41 until he too got out in the 15th over. It looked as if DD will fold around the 100 mark, but a cameo from Chris Morris helped them score 40 runs in the last 3 overs to take their score to 121/6.

Pune started well as Usman Khawaja and Ajinkya Rahane started attacking the bowlers from the first over, as the ball was new and the power play was on. Even though Khawaja got out after giving a brisk start Ajinkya Rahane and George Bailey maintained a good run-rate. They built on the good start and carried on well until rains interrupted the proceedings. Pune was cruising towards an easy win in the normal format and the D/L method as they were 15 runs ahead. After skies cleared out and the ground was ready, the two batsmen walked out. Just as Rahane was getting in the groove after hitting a six and a four, it started raining again. This time, the covers stayed on and the match was called off. RPS won the match by 19 runs and moved to the second last spot, not that it’s going to make much of a difference.