IPL 5: Two out of two for Pune Warriors

Suyash Srivastava

Pune: Sourav Ganguly-led Pune Warriors India won their second match in a row by defeating Kings XI Punjab at at Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune on Sunday by 22 runs. Ganguly won the toss and decided to bat first. He shared a 28-run-stand with Jesse Ryder (8) before being dismissed for 20 runs. Ganguly never looked in the best of his form as he failed to pick up a slower delivery. Marlon Samuels and Robin Uthappa shared a 81-run-partnership for the third wicket which stabilized the innings. Steven Smith played a crucial cameo (25 runs from 12 balls) towards the end which helped Pune cross 160 runs. Pune scored 166 runs at the end of 20 overs. In reply, Punjab never looked like they were committed to chase down the score. Wickets fell at regular intervals and openers Gilchrist (6) and Valthaty (1) were both run-out. Such was their innings that the highest score came from Bipul Sharma (35) who came to bat in at number eight. The turning point of the match was the 19th over. Harmeet Singh who had been deceiving the batsmen with his slower ones bowled two consecutive full tosses and was removed from the attack. Bipul Sharma came in to bowl the remaining four deliveries and gave away 19 runs in just four balls. 26 runs came off that over and the shoulders of Punjab players had dropped down by then. Marlon Samuels who picked up one wicket and scored 46 runs from 39 balls was adjudged the Man of the Match for his commendable performance. Ganguly once again used his spin bowlers to choke down the Punjab batting line-up.