PUNE WIN BY 9 WICKETS!!!

Pune 126-1 (14.4 ovs) vs Mumbai 121-8 | Scorecard

Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Rising Pune Supergiants got off to a winning start as they thrashed defending champions Mumbai Indians by nine wickets in the Indian Premier League opener in Mumbai, on Saturday.

Electing to bat, Mumbai finished on a disappointing 121 for eight in their 20 overs with Ishant Sharma and Mitchell Marsh claiming two wickets each.

Ajinkya Rahane smashed an unbeaten 66 from 42 balls to steer debutants Pune to 126 for one in 14.4 overs as they won with 32 balls to spare.

Pune 126-1 (14.4 ovs) vs Mumbai 121-8 | Scorecard

Harbhajan drops short as KP rocks back and pulls him over midwicket for a six, his second against the off-spinner in successive overs. Four more singles as 10 come from Harbhajan's third over with Pune needing another eight runs for victory from six overs.

Rahane ends the match in grand style with two sixes off medium pacer Hardik Pandya, in the 15th over.

Rahane continues his attacking approach as he smashes the second ball over mid-off for a six before ramping the fourth ball over thirdman for another maximum.

Rahane finishes unbeaten on a superb innings of 66 fom 42 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes, while Pietersen hit 21 from 14 balls as Pune registered a convincing nine-wicket victory with 32 balls to spare.

Pune 104-1 (13 ovs) vs Mumbai 121-8 | Scorecard

Kevin Pietersen doesn't take time to warm up and targets Harbhajan in his second over. He comes down the track and lofts him over long-on for a six as Pune continue their domination.

In the next over, Rahane pulls a short ball from Gopal for a four through midwicket to race to his fifty, from 32 balls.

That boundary also brought up Pune's 100, in the 13th over.

Rahane, on 52, hits one straight back to the bowler Gopal, who fails to take the catch on his follow through.

 Pune 79-1 (10 ovs) vs Mumbai 121-8 | Scorecard

R Vinay Kumar comes into the attack and makes a tidy start, giving away just four runs in his first over with Pune openers not looking in any rush after the good start and with many runs needed to chase.

Leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal comes into the attack ahead of senior spinner Harbhajan Singh. Even he is milked around easily for five singles with Pune looking comfortable on 66 for no loss in eight overs, with another 56 needed from 12 overs for victory at an asking rate of less than five.

Vinay goes for 10 runs in his second over with Rahane hitting a beautiful straight drive off the last ball for a boundary.

Veteran Harbhajan Singh strikes in his first over, with the wicket of du Plessis, who is bowled after scoring 34 from 33 balls.

Faf, who put on 78 runs for the opening wicket with Rahane, went for the sweep but missed it completely and was bowled.

But Pune in total control as they reach 79 for one in 10 overs, needing 43 from the remaining 10 overs for victory.

 Pune 57-0 (6 ovs) vs Mumbai 121-8 | Scorecard

After a steady start, Pune cut loose in the fifth over bowled by McClenaghan, hitting him for two sixes.

Rahane pulls a short ball over square for a six over deep square leg followed by a single to race to 23 from 13 balls. Faf comes down the track and lofts McClengahan straight down the down for the second six of the over as the fifth over goes for 14 runs.

In the next over, Rahane pulls a short ball from Bumrah over midwicket for a four. Mumbai nearly lose a wicket off the next ball as a huge misunderstanding sees both batsmen in the same crease before Faf somehow sprints for the second over with wicketkeeper Buttler failing to score the direct hit.

Bumrah then oversteps to give a no-ball and along with a free hit. Faf makes most of the free hit, smashing it over the off-side for a six. He comes down the track to the next ball but gets a thick outside edge for another six over thirdman.

Pune have raced to 57 for no loss in six over, with Rahane on 30 from 18 balls and Faf on 26 from 19 balls.

Bumrah has struggled with the ball, giving away 20 runs in his third over, with Pune hitting 34 from the last two overs.

 Pune 23-0 (4 ovs) vs Mumbai 121-8 | Scorecard

Rahane look in good touch as he again smashes McClenaghan straight down the ground for a boundary as five runs come from the third over.

Meanwhile, Faf is struggling out in the middle. He inside edges the first ball of Bumrah's second over before going down the track to the pacer but fails to make connection.

He sneaks a quick single before Rahane punches it square through the off-side for his fourth boundary to take his score to 16.

Pune off to a steady start, reaching 23 for no loss in four overs.

 Pune 13-0 (2 ovs) vs Mumbai 121-8 | Scorecard

Ajinkya Rahane and Faf du Plessis are the openers for Pune while left-arm pacer Mitchell McClenaghan will open the bowling for the hosts.

The first ball is pitched up as Rahane punches it straight back past the bowler for a four.

The over ends in the same style, this time Rahane getting an outside edge past the first slip fielder for another boundary as eight runs come from the first over.

Jasprit Bumrah to bowl the second over. Faf gets an inside edge off the next delivery which misses the stumps narrowly and goes for a four. He retains strike with a single from the last ball.

 Mumbai 121-8 (20 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Ishant to bowl the final over. Harbhajan smashes the second ball of the over through mid-off for a four, his third in a row, including the two in the previous over.

The fifth ball was a full toss as Harbhajan blasted it over long-off for a six before crashing the last ball through the covers for a four to finish on a superb knock of 45 from 30 balls, having hit seven fours and a six.

Ishant went for 17 runs in his final over to finish with two for 36 in his four overs.

Harbhajan's onslaught, in which he hit five fours and a six in his last eight balls, saw Mumbai hammer 41 runs from the last three overs.

 Mumbai 121-8 (20 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Ishant Sharma and Mitchell Sharma claimed two wickets each as debutants Rising Pune Supergiants restricted defending champions Mumbai Indians to 121 for eight in the first match of the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League, in Mumbai, on Saturday.

Harbhajan Singh was Mumbai's top scorer as he smashed 45 from 30 balls, having hit seven fours and a six.

 Mumbai 104-8 (19 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Two Ashwins bowling in tandem with Pune dominating with the ball to leave Mumbai shell shocked.

Vinay takes a single before Harbhajan crashes a flighted delivery back over M Ashwin's head for a four. He smashes the next ball also straight this time along the ground but the ball hits the stumps at the non-striker's end to deny Mumbai some runs.

Good spell by M Ashwin on his debut, as he registers impressive figures one for 16 in four overs.

Just one over for Ravi Ashwin before he makes way for Marsh, who bowled a good first spell.

Vinay Kumar has a few swings before he finally connects one, crashing it over the off-side for a six. Two runs from the last ball as Marsh finishes with two for 21 in four overs.

RP Singh to bowl the 19th over. Harbhajan crashes the second ball through the covers for a four before Vinay has a huge swipe but is caught at deep midwicket for 12.

The next ball is a full toss which Harbhajan lofts straight back over the bowler's head for a four. The next ball is a bit short as Harbhajan swings it over short fine leg for another boundary as RP concedes 14 runs in the 19th over.

 Mumbai 75-7 (16 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

New batsman Harbhajan Singh gets off the mark with a single. Rayudu drives the next ball from Bhatia through the covers for a much-needed boundary for Mumbai followed by a single.

M Ashwin sends down another tidy over, giving away five runs with nothing much for the Mumbai fans to cheer tonight.

Ravichandran Ashwin continues to wait for his turn to bowl as Bhatia continues, bowling his fourth and final over and the 14th of the innings.

Just three runs conceded in his final over as Bhatia finishes with wonderful figures of one for 10 in four overs, including a wicket maiden.

Even M Ashwin in the midst of a good spell, giving away just three runs in his third over with Pune continuing to dry up the runs and build the pressure.

Finally, Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack, to bowl the 16th over. Even he gets a wicket with his first delivery, the fourth bowler to do so today. Rayudu looks to swing the first ball on the leg side but is caught at midwicket after scoring 22 from 27 balls.

In the same over, Harbhajan steers Ashwin through the vacant thirdman region for a boundary followed by two singles as the off-spinner makes a good start.

 Mumbai 51-6 (11 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Leg-spinner Murugan comes into the bowl ahead of his more famous namesake Ravichandran Ashwin.

Debutant Murugan strikes in his very first over with the wicket of Gopal, who succumbs to the pressure. He made two from 16 balls before holing out to the fielder at long-off as Mumbai are reduced to 51 for six in 11 overs.

 Mumbai 48-5 (10 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Marsh bowls a full toss on the pads to Rayudu, who flicks it square on the leg side for a four, the first boundary for Mumbai after 29 balls. Three more singles as Marsh concedes seven in his second over.

Bhatia bowls another tight over, conceding just a single as Rayudu takes one from the second before Gopal plays out the rest of the over.

At the halfway stage, defending champions Mumbai Indians are tottering on 48 for five in 10 overs.

Bhatia has made a superb start with the ball, his figues read: 2-1-1-1.

From this position, Mumbai will be happy to take a score of around the 100-run mark, but they will Rayudu to bat till the end with good support from the tailenders.

 Mumbai 40-5 (8 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Ishant continues to dish out the freebies. This time he bowls a quick bouncer to Kieron Pollard but it sails high over the batsman and even wicketkeeper Dhoni for five wides. Two balls later he bowls another wide to take his personal wides count to 10. He has taken two for 19 in three overs, out of which 10 runs are extras.

Marsh nearly gets another wicket. Pollard misses a full toss and is struck on the back pads but the umpire turns down the appeal. That was mighty close and Pollard is lucky to survive.

Medium pacer Rajat Bhatia comes into the attack. He gets a wicket with his very first delivery as he gets Pollard dismissed leg before wicket for one.

Mumbai's poor showing with the bat continues as they slip to 40 for five, in the eighth over.

That was straight and headed on to the stumps as Pollard missed it completely and was hit right in front of the stumps.

Shreyas Gopal watchfully defends the rest of the over as Bhatia makes a dream start, with a wicket maiden.

 Mumbai 30-4 (5 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

First bowling change for Pune as Mitchell Marsh replaces RP Singh, who bowled two overs for 16 runs.

He strikes with his very first delivery, getting the wicket of Pandya. The right-hander looks to swing it on the leg side but gets a top edge which is taken by Dhoni as Mumbai slip to 29 for three in the fifth over.

Marsh ends the over with another key scalp. Buttler looks to hit it through the leg side but gets a thick outside edge and is caught at first slip for a duck.

A dream start for Marsh, taking two wickets in his first over which conceding just one run.

Mumbai Indians are off to a nightmarish start, as they are reduced to 30 for four in five overs.

 Mumbai 29-2 (4 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Simmons brings some life back to the Mumbai crowd, who were silenced after the early wicket, as he smashes RP Singh back over his head for a straight six, the first of IPL 9.

In the next over, Pandya smashes Ishant over the cover region for a boundary. He slashes hard at the next ball but gets a thick outside edge which beats the thirdman fielder for another four.

However, Ishant bags another key wicket of Ishant, who bowls Simmons for eight to leave India in trouble at 29 for two in the fourth over.

A beautiful inswinger which beat Simmons all ends up to bowl him for eight.

 Mumbai 12-1 (2 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Left-arm pacer R P Singh opened the bowling for Pune.

Lendl Simmons tucked the first ball on the leg side for a single to get Mumbai off the mark. Two balls later, Rohit flicked a full delivery through square leg for two runs before punching a short ball through the covers for the first boundary of the match before taking one from the next as eight runs came from the first over.

India Test pacer Ishant Sharma to bowl the second over. He has struggled to keep the runs down in limited overs cricket but he makes a dream start, getting a wicket of Rohit with his very first delivery.

Rohit misses a straight delivery and is dismissed leg before wicket for seven as Mumbai lose an early wicket.

Hardik Pandya gets a promotion as he walked into bat at No. 3. The first ball he faced was a wide down the leg side which even wicketkeeper Dhoni could not reach to, for two extra runs including the wide. Pandya chased a wide outgoing delivery but is beaten before Ishant bowled another leg side wide.

A good first over from Ishant, except for the wides, giving away four while picking up the key wicket of Rohit.

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has won the toss and elected to bat against Pune.

England's blaster Jos Buttler will make his IPL debut for defending champions, who have Mitchell McClenaghan, Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard as their four overseas players.

For Pune, the four foreign players are Mitchell Marsh, Faf du Plessis, Steven Smith and Kevin Pietersen.

Teams:

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma (captain), Lendl Simmons, Jos Buttler, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Harbhajan Singh, Mitchell McClenaghan, R Vinay Kumar, Shreyas Gopal, Jasprit Bumrah.

Rising Pune Supergiants: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Faf du Plessis, Ajinkya Rahane, Kevin Pietersen, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Rajat Bhatia, Ravichandran Ashwin, Murugan Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, R P Singh.

The ninth edition of the IPL will feature eight teams and some of the world's best players. Two of those eight teams are new franchises, Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions, both inducted following the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

So which of them will emerge triumphant this year? Click here to make your pick


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The ninth edition of the Indian Premier League is set to kick-off as defending champions Mumbai Indians take on new outfit Rising Pune Supergiants, led by India's World Cup winning skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in Mumbai, on Saturday.

With a more settled look and familiar with the conditions at the Wankhede Stadium, described by both Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma and coach Ricky Ponting as the team's fortress, Supergiants will need to pull out all stops to stop the home side.

The hosts, who turned around a disastrous start last year after losing the opening four games, have the right personnel on paper to diffuse the challenge from Rising Pune Supergiants.

Lendl Simmons, who orchestrated the bounce-back of Mumbai Indians last season, has shown his penchant for the Wankhede track with a blistering knock for eventual champions West Indies that knocked pre-tournament favourites India out of the World T20 at the semi-final stage on March 31.

Simmons and Sharma, who has decided to open the innings, are expected to pair up at the top with people like Ambati Rayudu, new buy and England's hard-hitting wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler, Corey Anderson, the big-hitting Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya to follow up later.

Mumbai Indians would be hard-pressed to fill in the void left by the absence of the injured pace spearhead Lasith Malinga who is unlikely to be fit at least for the first half of their league campaign, as informed yesterday by Ponting at his media conference.

The vastly improved Jasprit Bumrah will need to step up and give adequate support to the likes of Anderson, Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan and Marchant de Lange.

In spin, Mumbai Indians will bank immensely on their experienced off spinner Harbhajan Singh along with Karnataka's leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal and left-armer Jagadeesha Suchith.

Supergiants, on the other hand, appear to have a strong batting line-up with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Kevin Pietersen, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Francois du Plessis present in it, along with Dhoni.

They have a good set of all-rounders such as Albie Morkel and Irfan Pathan and a good mix of pace and spin in the bowling attack which is expected to be led by Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin respectively.

Australian leggie Adam Zampa is also there to be called upon along with Ashwin's Tamil Nadu teammate Murugan Ashwin, who is also a wrist spinner, and left arm slow bowler Ankit Sharma of Madhya Pradesh.

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