New Delhi: Openers Brendon McCullum and Shreyas Iyer had gotten Gujarat Lions off to a brilliant start with a 50-run partnership but the Suresh Raina-led side's hopes of securing a big total fell apart after Rising Pune Supergiant leg-spinner Imran Tahir (3/27) and medium pacer Jaydev Unadkat (3/29) helped bundle out Gujarat Lions for 161 in 19.5 overs during their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Monday. (IPL 2017 - Fixtures & Results | Points Table)
Dinesh Karthik was Gujarat's last hope of putting a big total on board but the wicket-keeper batsman departed after being run-out as the visiting side tried to steal a run from MS Dhoni's hands.
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Tahir`s smart bowling, coupled with some reckless batting from the visitors, meant that Gujarat needed Dinesh Karthik`s damage control effort of 29 to reach 161.
Jharkhand teenager Ishan was particularly impressive, showing his stroke-making skills after a quiet first three overs. McCullum too matched him shot-by-shot as they gave Gujarat a decent start.
Tahir broke the stand as Ishan was caught by Washington Sundar at short third man. Suresh Raina (8) too perished soon, falling short of attempting a double of his own batting as Ajinkya Rahane threw to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to get rid of the visiting captain, with Gujarat at 71/2 in eight overs.
South African Tahir continued his fine bowling as he sent back Aaron Finch and Dwayne Smith in successive deliveries in the 10th over, as Gujarat were reduced to 94/4. While Finch gave a return catch, Smith was undone by a googly as he swung his bat.
McCullum, who saw all the wickets crumbling in front of him, was the next one to go, after being caught by Rahane at extra cover off Shardul Thakur`s bowling, as Gujarat lost their fifth wicket for 109 in 11.5 overs. It was a reckless shot from the New Zealander, who should not have taken the risk at that point of time.
Later, Karthik and Ravindra Jadeja (19 off 12) tried their best to take Gujarat past 160.
(With IANS inputs)
