RPS vs SRH: Sun sets on Rising Pune Supergiants

David Warner’s leap said it all. Three balls to go and 12 runs to get; MS Dhoni dispatched Ashish Nehra over the long-on fence. Six off two, and Nehra bowled a slower bouncer. Dhoni had a top edge as he scampered for the second. But Barinder Sran’s return from short third man was quick and Yuvraj Singh broke the stumps and went for a celebratory sprint. Warner looked ecstatic. Game over; or was it! A four in the final delivery would have ensured a super over and Zampa managed an outside. Naman Ojha dived full-length to his right and pulled off a blinder. Hyderabad won the cliffhanger to go top of the table. They defended a modest 137 to win by four runs, thanks to their collective bowling might and outstanding fielding.

Low-scoring games can be fascinating at times. Hyderabad didn’t have a spinner of Ashwin or Zampa’s class on a tacky surface. But their seamers stood up to be counted. Nehra had three wickets, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar made the difference, dismissing Ajinkya Rahane in the first over and bowling some superb yorkers at the back end of the innings. Still, Dhoni in his pomp might have sealed the deal with ease. But he no longer remains the finisher he used to be. He also erred on his batting order, promoting Ashwin at No. 4. The latter is a capable batsman but never a pinch-hitter. Mediocrity around the skipper didn’t help matters as Pune went deeper in the mire.