GUJARAT WIN BY 6 WICKETS!!!

Gujarat 173-4 (17.5 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Gujarat Lions have qualified for the play-offs on their IPL debut courtesy of their convincing six-wicket victory against Mumbai Indians with 13 balls to spare.

Gujarat are top of the IPL standings with 18 points, having won nine out of their 14 games in the league stage.

On the other hand, Mumbai's hopes depends on other results as they finish their league assignments with seven wins from 14 games.

Suresh Raina led Gujarat's charge with the bat, hitting a quickfire 58 from 36 balls while McCullum smashed 48 from 27 balls.

Dwayne Smith provided the finishing touches at the end, slamming an unbeaten 37 from 23 balls, while Jadeja made 21 not out from 15 balls.

GUJARAT WIN BY 6 WICKETS!!!

Gujarat 173-4 (17.5 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

McClenaghan to bowl the 18th over. He starts with a full delivery which Smith taps on the off-side for a single before Jadeja gets a boundary courtesy of misfield from Guptill at sweeper cover to level scores.

Jadeja has a wild swing as it falls safely on the off-side to take Gujarat Lions to victory and into the play-offs in their first appearance in the IPL.

Gujarat 167-4 (17 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Bumrah is back, to bowl his fourth and final over. Smith plays another cracking drive straight down the ground but gets just a single.

Jadeja gets two runs from the next ball courtesy of an overthrow before he nudges the next ball off his hips fine on the leg side for a four.

Two singles from the next two balls as Bumrah goes for 10 runs to finish with expensive figures of one for 42 in four overs.

Gujarat 157-4 (16 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Mumbai are looking down and out at the moment. Smith smashes Hardik Pandya's first ball straight to Rohit, who lets it go through for a four.

Jadeja also growing in confidence as he picks a full delivery from Hardik over the leg side for his second four.

The result looks a foregone conclusion and except for a miracle Gujarat look set for a convincing victory with another 16 runs needed from four overs for victory.

Smith has stroked his way to 34 from 20 balls, while Jadeja has made nine from seven balls.

Gujarat 147-4 (15 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Smith looks in a bit of rush out in the middle. He slog sweeps a full delivery from Harbhajan over midwicket for a six. The next ball is a bit shorter and Smith slaps it through the covers for a boundary to race to 23 from 11 balls.

He retains strike with a single from the last ball as 12 runs come from the 14th over.

Smith is proving to be unstoppable at the moment and is hitting boundaries at will. He swings at a length delivery from McClenaghan hitting square on the leg side for a four before Jadeja flicks the last ball through midwicket for another boundary.

Gujarat are cruising to victory, having reached 147 for four in 15 overs, with another 26 needed from five overs for victory.

Smith has been instrumental in keeping Gujarat in control, having hit 29 from 17 balls, while Jadeja has made five.

Gujarat 126-4 (13 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Gujarat doing well not to let the wickets impact their momentum. New batsman Dwayne Smith gets off the mark with a bang, pulling a short ball from Harbhajan over the square leg fence for a six.

Four more singles from the over makes it 10 from the 12th over as the equation comes down the 52 needed from 48 balls.

Bumrah comes back and claims the crucial wicket of Raina, who looks to turn it on the leg side but gets a top edge. The ball goes up a long way and wicketkeeper Buttler does well to judge it and complete a good catch.

Raina walks back after a good innings of 58 from 36 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. His wicket gives Mumbai a slight glimmer of a hope as Gujarat are reduced to 122 for four, in the 13th over.

Smith continues Gujarat's positive approach as he lofts the fourth ball straight back over the bowler's head for a four.

The match is still Gujarat's to lose, as they need 47 runs from 42 balls for victory with six wickets still in hand.

Gujarat 111-3 (11 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Vinay is back as Mumbai continue to shuffle their bowlers around. He starts with a short ball to Raina, who swats it off his pads past short fine leg for a four to race to his half-century from just 30 balls.

The next ball is shorter and this time Raina pulls it past the same fielder for another boundary as Gujarat keep the momentum despite the wicket in the previous over.

But Vinay keeps Mumbai in the hunt with the wicket of Dinesh Karthik, who is caught down the leg side for three.

Karthik is unlucky as the ball looks to have clipped the thigh pad before it is taken by wicketkeeper Buttler.

Gujarat still have the chase under control as they are cruising on 111 for three in 11 overs, with another 62 needed for victory from nine overs at under seven runs per over.

Gujarat 100-2 (10 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Against the run of play, Harbhajan claims the key wicket of McCullum, who has a wild swing but misses and is bowled after a good innings of 48 from 27 balls. He laid the foundation with a quickfire partnership of 96 runs from 54 balls for the second wicket.

A good second over from Harbhajan, conceding just four singles while taking the wicket as Gujarat reach 100 for two in 10 overs at the halfway stage, with another 73 needed for victory from 60 balls.

Gujarat 96-1 (9 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Krunal comes back and suffers again in his second over. He starts with a short ball which is cut by Raina past point for a four before he turns the next ball fine on the leg side for another boundary as 10 runs come from the over.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh comes into the attack. He also goes for runs as McCullum pulls the first ball for a four before he smashes the next ball through the off-side for another boundary as the runs continue to flow for the hosts.

McClenaghan, who went for runs in his first over, comes back and sends down a tidy second over conceding just six runs.

Gujarat in complete control on 96 for one in nine overs, needing another 77 runs for victory from 11 overs with nine wickets in hand.

Gujarat 70-1 (6 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Time for some spin as left-armer Krunal Pandya comes into the attack. McCullum makes room and smashes the first ball over the covers for a four. The next ball is short as McCullum pulls it on the leg side but Hardik makes a diving stop at deep midwicket to keep it down to two.

McCullum then blasts a full delivery past mid-on for another boundary. He looks to force it through the off-side but doesn't make proper connection and gets a single to short thirdman.

Raina picks a single before McCullum pulls the last ball over midwicket for a six to get 18 from the spinner's first over.

Gujarat have recovered to reach 51 for one in five overs with Raina hitting 21 from 13 balls and McCullum blazing 28 from 15 balls, with the duo putting on 51 runs fro the second wicket from 28 balls.

Bumrah comes back as Vinay bowls another one-over spell. He starts with a slower ball on which Raina gets a thick outside edge but it flies over the wicketkeeper and goes for a four through thirdman.

Two balls later, he picks a full delivery off his pads over midwicket for a six to continue Gujarat's charge.

Raina (32) is again foxed by a slower ball as he chips it straight back to the bowler Bumrah, who looks to take evasive action and puts down a straightforward catch.

Bumrah struggling with his line as bowls it on the pads to McCullum, who clips a full toss past short fine leg for another boundary. The next delivery is short and wide and this time the Kiwi right-hander smashes it over the covers for another four.

Gujarat are running away with the game as they race to 70 for one in six overs, making most of the Powerplay.

McCullum has smashed his way to 36 from 17 balls while Raina is also batting positively to score 32 from the same number of deliveries.

The last two overs have proved quite costly for Mumbai with 37 runs coming from the last 12 balls.

Gujarat 33-1 (4 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Left-armer Mitchell McClenaghan comes into the attack in place of Vinay, who is taken off despite starting off with a wicket-maiden.

Raina drives the first ball through the off-side where Hardik in the covers lets it go through for a four.

The pacer attempts a short ball which Raina looks to pull but fails to make proper connection as it falls short of the fielder at midwicket.

McClenaghan overdoing the short ball as Raina pulls the fourth ball over midwicket for a four before smashing the next ball over the off-side for another boundary.

McClenaghan drops short again and this time Raina cuts it powerfully and it carries all the way over the thirdman fence for a six as the Kiwi pacer goes for 18 runs in his first over.

Vinay comes back, replacing Bumrah. This time McCullum jumps down the track and smashes it straight back as it hits Vinay's feet on his follow through and save four runs.

The next ball is a full toss which McCullum hits in the gap through square leg for a four with Gujarat recovering to 33 for one in four overs.

Gujarat 8-1 (2 ovs) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Gujarat get off the mark with a wide as Jasprit Bumrah sprays the first ball down the leg side to Brendon McCullum.

The second ball is a swinging yorker outside the off-stump beating McCullum who plays down the wrong line and is beaten all ends up.

He tries another yorker but this time it is a low full toss which McCullum punches through the covers for a four to get off the mark as Gujarat reach eight for one in two overs.

Gujarat 0-1 (1 ov) vs Mumbai 172-8 | Scorecard

Gujarat have made a change in their opening combination as Aaron Finch walks out to open the batting with Brendon McCullum with Dwayne Smith slotted lower in the order.

R Vinay Kumar strikes in the very first over with the key wicket of the in-form Aaron Finch, who is trapped leg before wicket for a two-ball duck.

Finch was caught in the crease and struck right in front of the stumps as he played all over it to give Vinay his 100th wicket in the IPL.

New batsman Suresh Raina makes room and looks for a big shot through the off-side but Vinay follows him and cramps him for room.

A dream start for Vinay, who begins with a wicket-maiden.

Mumbai 172-8 (20 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

With Rana back in the dressing room, it is time for Pollard to take centrestage. He doesn't make proper connection with the pull shot but still ends up sending it soaring into the stands over midwicket for a six.

But Kulkarni extracts revenge as he looks for another big hit down the ground but has hit the full toss straight into the hands of Smith at long-off to be dismissed for nine.

Bravo bowls a good final over, from round the wicket as both Harbhajan and Hardik Pandya are unable to get a boundary off it.

Just six runs come from the penultimate over as Bravo finishes with outstanding figures of two for 23 in four overs.

Praveen to bowl the final over and he employs the same plan as Bravo. He starts with a good yorker which Harbhajan can only keep out. He has a wild swing off the next ball but holes out to Raina at deep midwicket to be dismissed for three.

Hardik smashes the next ball, full and on the stumps, straight down the ground for a four.

However, he falls off the last ball, caught at long-on as Mumbai Indians finish on 172 for eight in their 20 overs.

The death overs haven't gone to plan for Mumbai as they lost four wickets for 27 runs in the last four overs.

Mumbai 153-5 (17 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Rana is getting the boundaries consistently as he swings Bravo across the line on the leg side for a four.

But the West Indian gets revenge from the last ball of the over, as he attempts another cross batted slog but is caught in the deep on the leg side after a superb knock of 70 from 36 balls, having hit seven fours and four sixes.

It was the change of pace that did the trick as Rana mishit the slower ball straight into the hands of Kulkarni at deep square leg.

Mumbai 145-4 (16 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Rana continues his positive approach as he slog sweeps Jakati over midwicket for a four to take his score to 48.

He is beaten off the next as Jakati gets one to turn the other way before Rana pulls the fifth ball square on the leg side for another four to race to his fifty from just 28 balls.

Jakati drops short as Rana rocks back and cuts it past point for the third four of the over to take the score to 134 for four in 15 overs.

Pacer Kulkarni comes back as Rana chops the third ball over the point region for two runs. The next ball is short as Rana pulls it over midwicket for a six to maintain the momentum in the middle overs.

Mumbai are looking on course for a total around the 180-run mark as they reach 145 for four in 16 overs.

Mumbai 120-4 (14 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Rana is doing well to keep up the momentum as Jakati gives five singles from his first five balls before the left-hander carts the last ball over long-on for a six to make it 11 runs from the over.

In the next over, the 22-year-old left-hander lofts Bravo over the covers for a four to race to 42 from 23 balls.

Against the run of play, Gujarat get the key wicket of Buttler. And it is Bravo, who makes the breakthrough as he holds on to a powerful straight drive on his follow through to complete an unbelievable catch.

Buttler made 33 from 31 balls playing second fiddle in his stand of 75 runs from 53 balls for the fourth wicket with Rana to help Mumbai recover after a few quick wickets.

Something brewing between Kieron Pollard and Bravo as the former defends it back to the bowler and Bravo then charges all the way down to the tall right-hander. There is some serious stuff going on between the two West Indians, maybe it has got to do with Pollard's selection to the ODI team.

Mumbai 103-3 (12 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. Rana goes after the spinner in his first over, hitting the fourth ball straight down the ground over long-on for a six. The last ball is short as Buttler cuts it past point for a four as Jadeja goes for 15 runs in his first over.

Smith comes back and he starts with a high full toss. Rana steers the first ball past point for a four before he despatches the free hit over midwicket for a six.

Smith, who started with two wickets in his first over, ends with a 16-run over to finish with expensive figures of two for 37 in four overs.

The young Rana has been quite positive, hitting 30 from 19 balls, while Buttler has made 29 from 25 balls.

Mumbai 72-3 (10 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Smith continues as Buttler makes most of a short, wide delivery hammering it past point for a four.

But he manages to keep it tight for the rest of the over, giving away just eight in his third over.

Another West Indian medium pacer comes into the attack in the form of Dwayne Bravo. He also manages to keep the runs down, conceding just five runs, as Mumbai reach 72 for three in 10 overs.

A slight recovery for the visitors, who were reeling on 45 for three at one stage as they lost three quick wickets.

Mumbai 59-3 (8 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Praveen continues as he beats Jos Buttler, who must consider himself lucky not to have edged the outswinger. The next ball comes in sharply and cuts Buttler into half as Praveen makes most of some early help. However, the last ball is down the leg side as Buttler nudges it fine to get off the mark with a four.

Meanwhile, Smith bowls another tidy over, giving away just five runs with both Buttler and Rana looking to rebuild after that quick rush of wickets.

Left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati also keeps it tight in his first over, conceding just five runs.

Mumbai have reached 59 for three in eight overs.

Mumbai 45-3 (5 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Medium pacer Dwayne Smith, who excelled with the ball in the previous game, comes into the attack.

Guptill flicks the first ball fine on the leg side for a four but falls off the very next ball. He looks to go big down the ground but is caught by Dwayne Bravo at mid-on to be dismissed for seven.

New batsman Krunal Pandya gets off the mark with a boundary, hitting it through the covers. But even he perishes cheaply, going for his shots. He looks to pull a short ball as he skies it on the leg side with Aaron Finch taking a good catch on the fine leg fence.

Three wickets in eight balls leave Mumbai in trouble at 45 for three in five overs.

Mumbai 37-1 (4 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Dhawal Kulkarni to bowl the second over. Martin Guptill plays a good drive through the covers but his former New Zealand team mate Brendon McCullum makes a diving stop in the cover to save a certain four as they get just a single.

Rohit then slaps the fourth ball through the covers for a four before he survives a close shout for LBW. The Mumbai captain was beaten by the incoming delivery as he looks to defend and was struck right in front of the stumps but umpire Nandan believes he might have got an inside edge.

As if to celebrate the lifeline, Rohit comes down the track and blasts the last ball over the off-side to end the over for a six, to race to 18 from nine balls.

In the next over, Rohit pulls a short ball from Praveen through midwicket for a four as Mumbai look keen to get on the attack right from the start.

No stopping Rohit, who once again goes after Kulkarni, clobbering him back over his head for a straight six.

But the pacer gets immediate revenge as Rohit is caught in the deep on the leg side after a quickfire 30 from 17 balls. He went for the pull shot but ended up hitting it straight to Shadab Jakati at deep square leg.

Promotion for Nitish Rana as he comes in at No. 3. The left-hander makes a smashing start, pulling a short ball over square leg for a four to get off the mark in style.

Mumbai 8-0 (1 ov) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of the second match of the day between Gujarat Lions and Mumbai Indians.

Gujarat Lions captain Suresh Raina has won the toss and elected to bowl against Mumbai.

While Gujarat are unchanged, Mumbai are forced to make one change with the injured Ambati Rayudu replaced by all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Praveen Kumar to open the bowling as Rohit Sharma plays an elegant drive through the covers off the second ball to get off the mark with a four.

Praveen follows it up with a beauty as Rohit plays a loose drive outside the off-stump and is beaten but he ends the over with another four, flicking it through the leg side.

PUNE WIN BY 4 WICKETS!!!

Pune 173-6 (20 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

This is a gamble now, having a spinner Axar to bowl to Dhoni with 23 needed from the last over for victory.

The first ball is hit to deep midwicket and again Dhoni turns down the single before the spinner bowls a leg side wide.

The next ball is full as Dhoni sweeps it over midwicket for a six. The Pune captain smashes the third ball over the off-side but Amla at long-off does an excellent job inside the ropes to save a boundary and again Pune have not taken a run.

Dhoni launches the next ball over long-off and this time it goes in the gap for a four, 12 needed from two balls for victory.

Axar again bowls a length ball as Dhoni swings it over square for another six, this is not over yet!

Nothing is over till Dhoni the finisher is out in the middle, they need six from the last ball for victory.

No stopping Dhoni as he launches the last ball over midwicket for a six to take his team to an unlikely victory. How many time has he ended a match with a SIX!!!

Dhoni has done the impossible, well nothing is impossible till Dhoni is out in the middle.

He has blasted 23 runs from the last over, including two sixes from the last two balls to carry his team to victory and help his team avoid the last-place finish.

The Pune captain single-handedly carried his team to victory, playing a splendid innings of 64 not out from 32 balls, hitting four fours and five sixes.

Pune 150-6 (19 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

Mohit shows his death overs skill as he strikes with the first delivery of the 19th over. A full delivery outside the off-stump as Perera goes for a wild drive but gets an edge and is caught behind after scoring a quickfire 23 from 14 balls.

Dhoni continues to attack as he again swipes a full wide delivery over the point region for another four.

Mohit bowls a slower bouncer as Dhoni plays the pull to deep square leg but turns down the single. The next ball is a yorker as Dhoni keeps it out as the equation keeps getting difficult.

The Pune captain retains strike with a single from the last ball. They are 150 for six in 19 overs, with 23 needed from the last over for victory.

Pune 144-5 (18 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

Mohit, who has done well with the ball in the death overs this season for Punjab, comes back into the attack. He starts with a full toss as he steers the first ball past point for a four while Pune get singles from the rest of the over to get 10 runs from the 17th over.

Punjab looking to bowl full and wide to Dhoni but Sandeep errs with his length, gifting the Pune captain a full toss which is driven past point for a four.

A few deliveries later, Dhoni blasts a full delivery over long-off for a six as 15 come from the 18th over.

Pune are 144 for five in 18 overs, with 29 needed from last two overs for victory.

Dhoni has cut loose after a slow start to hit 37 from 22 balls, while Perera has smashed 23 from 13 balls.

Pune 119-5 (16 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

Dhoni continues to struggle against Axar, having scored just nine runs from 12 balls before he finally decides to change gears. He swipes Axar across the line and manages to get it in the gap between deep square leg and deep midwicket and also manages to send it over the ropes for a flat six. He paddles the next ball with a straight bat as Abbott makes a diving stop to keep it down to three.

Axar goes for 13 in his third over as Pune finally get some momentum in their innings, while taking the score past the 100-run mark, in the 15th over.

Abbott looking to bowl against Perera, but drops it a bit short as the Sri Lankan smashes it past point for a four. A few deliveries later, he bowls it a bit full and also a bit straight as Perera crashes it over long-on for a six.

Abbott again bowls it wide and this time Perera blasts it through the off-side for a four to get 16 runs from the 16th over.

Pune have recovered to 119 for five in 16 overs, with another 54 runs needed from four overs for victory.

Pune 90-5 (14 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Axar, who took a wicket in his first over, comes back into the attack. Dhoni struggles to get going as he plays two dot balls before gets an inside edge for two runs on the leg side followed by another dot ball and then a run off the last ball.

A good second over from Axar as he rushes through it, while giving away just four runs to continue building the pressure.

The pressure pays off as Pathan looks to pull but is deceived by the slower bouncer as it takes the bottom of the bat and Saha takes a sharp catch.

Pune's batsmen are really struggling in the middle overs to keep up the tempo. Another tidy over for Punjab as Dhawan concedes just five while also taking a wicket.

Pune are 90 for five in 14 overs, needing 83 runs from six overs for victory at an asking rate of nearly 14.

Pune 81-4 (12 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

Pacer Abbott comes back as Tiwary looks to break free but is unable to make connection. He comes down the track and has a wild swing but is beaten and the same happens off the next ball before he finally steers the last ball past point for two runs.

A good over from Abbott, giving away just three, to build up the pressure as Pune reach 62 for two in 10 overs at the halfway stage with the asking rate going up constantly with every passing over.

Khawaja also looking to break free as hits a good drive off Rishi Dhawan but can't beat the fielder in the covers but gets the next in the gap for a four.

But Dhawan keeps it tight, giving away just five runs from the rest of the over as Punjab continue to build the pressure.

Punjab take a gamble as part-timer Gurkeerat is brought into the attack, to bowl the 12th over.

Tiwary decides to target the off-spinner as he slog sweeps him over midwicket for a six. The bowler gets immediate revenge as he comes down the track and goes for another big hit but mishits it and is caught on the off-side for 17.

Three balls later, Khawajam who played a sedate innings of 30 from 29 balls, attempts the slog sweep but ends up holing to deep midwicket.

Captain Dhoni is left shaking his hand in disappointment as Pune are reduced to 81  for four in 12 overs, needing another 92 runs from eight overs for victory.

Pune 59-2 (9 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

With Saurabh Tiwary joining Khawaja out in the middle, Punjab decide to introduce part-time off-spinner Gurkeerat Mann, who is more than handy with the ball. He makes a tidy start with the ball, giving away just five runs in his first over.

Axar, who bowled an excellent first over in which he dismissed Bailey, is taken off as he makes way for medium pacer Rishi Dhawan. It is only singles at the moment for Pune before Tiwary heaves the fifth ball over midwicket for a four.

Pune are 59 for two in nine overs, needing 114 runs from 11 overs for victory with the asking rate crossing 10 now.

Khawaja has got his eye in, having scored 23 from 21 balls and will need to push the tempo in the middle overs.

Pune 47-2 (7 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

Mohit comes back and he does well to concede just a single from the first four balls. But Bailey spoils the over, hitting back to back fours off the last two balls to get off the mark in some style.

He comes down the track and lifts the fifth ball over the covers before lofting the next on the other side, over mid-on as Pune reach 44 for one in six overs at the end of Powerplay.

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel comes into the attack. He makes the perfect start, claiming the wicket of Bailey in his very first over for nine. The Australian was dragged out of his crease by a flighted delivery before he was done in by the turn as wicketkeeper Saha completed a sharp stumping.

Pune 35-1 (5 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

Sandeep also makes the mistake of bowling on Rahane's pads, his strong area, as he again flicks it behind square for his third four. Three more singles from the over as Sandeep goes for seven runs in his second.

Mohit is taken off after an expensive start as he makes way for Kyle Abbott. Three runs from the first three balls including a leg bye before Rahane is beaten outside the off-stump trying to steer it to thirdman.

But he makes good connection off the next, smashing a short ball square on the off-side for a cracking boundary.

Sandeep continues, bowling his third over on the trot. And he makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Rahane, who looks to tickle it fine but gets an edge and is caught down the leg side by a diving Saha.

Rahane walks back for 19 as Pune are reduced to 35 for one, in the fifth over.

George Bailey, who was the Kings XI Punjab captain last season, walks in to bat at No. 3 against his former team.

He starts off cautiously with two dot balls to end a good over from Sandeep, conceding just one runs. The pacer has good figures of one for 14 in three overs.

Pune 20-0 (2 ovs) vs Punjab 172-7 | Scorecard

The young Sandeep Sharma to open the bowling for Punjab, while Ajinkya Rahane and Usman Khawaja will open the batting for the hosts.

Two singles from the first two balls before Rahane flicks the fifth ball fine on the leg side for a four as six runs come from the first over.

Pune can do well to take a cue from Punjab's book as far as the Powerplay is concerned. Both Amla and Vijay took their time to get their eye before they were able to push the accelerator after a quiet start.

Khawaja plays a good drive through the covers but can't find the gap and he hits another cracking flick on the leg side but again finds the fielder.

Mohit Sharma then bowls it on the pads as Khawaja picks it off his pads and deposits it behind square on the leg side for a six. He gets two runs from the next ball as he plays another lofted shot but fails to time it properly and then takes one.

Rahane ends the over with a four as Mohit again drifts on the pads and Rahane flicks it past short fine leg as the second over goes for 14 runs.

Punjab 172-7 (20 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

The wickets keeps tumbling for Punjab in the last few overs. Axar swings Perera on the leg side but Deepak Chahar takes a superb catch inches inside the ropes and just when the momentum carries him over, he flicks the ball back to team mate Saurabh Tiwary. However unfortunate that the catch is credited to Tiwary and not Chahar, who did all the hard work.

Rishi Dhawan makes room and smashes the next delivery over the off-side for a six as Perera bowls a length delivery.

The right-hander gets two runs from the last two deliveries as Punjab finish on a healthy 172 for seven in their 20 overs.

A good total on a wicket which looks to be stopping at times especially for the spinners but nothing too alarming and Pune's good batting line-up will be confident of chasing down this total.

Punjab 160-5 (19 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Dinda to bowl the 19th over as Punjab have two new batsman out in the middle in Farhaan Behardien and Axar Patel.

Dinda bowls from round the wickets as two singles come from the first two balls before Behardien is beaten by a full delivery which slants across him.

But the next ball is in the slot as the South African whips it over midwicket for a four. However, he falls two balls later as Dinda foxes him with the slower ball as Behardien hits it straight down the throat of Rahane at long-off to fall for 5.

Punjab 154-5 (18 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Gurkeerat is on fire at the moment. This time he goes after Ashwin, lofting the first ball straight down the ground for a six before he smashes the next ball through the off-side for a four to race to his fifty, from just 29 balls.

But Ashwin gets revenge as Gurkeerat looks to pull a short ball but gets a top edge is caught at deep square leg after a good innings of 51 from 31 balls.

Two balls later Ashwin dismisses Miller leg before wicket for seven, who went back but was beaten by the quicker delivery and struck right in front of the stumps.

Ashwin finishes with superb figures of four for 34 in four overs, while also completing 100 wickets in the IPL.

Punjab 140-3 (17 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Ashwin, who has two overs in hand, comes back for a new spell. He strikes with the key wicket of Vijay, who attempts the slog sweep but misses and is bowled.

Vijay walks back after a good innings of 59 from 41 balls, having hit four fours and three sixes, to lay a good foundation for the middle and lower order.

Gurkeerat goes after Pathan as he smashes the second ball over long-on for a six. The next ball is a high full toss as the right-hander hits it down to the same region for one before David Miller drives it powerfully to long-off for a single.

Gurkeerat slams another six in the over as he makes room and lofts a full delivery from Pathan over extra cover. Poor bowling from Pathan, who continues to bowl length deliveries, as he gives away 16 runs in his final over to finish with 37 runs in four overs.

Punjab 120-2 (15 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Pathan comes back as Gurkeerat flicks a full toss on the leg side for two runs and does the same off the next delivery.

Three singles off the next three balls before Vijay turns the last ball through midwicket for two runs to bring up his fifty, from 36 balls.

Vijay continues to be positive against Zampa as he lofts the Australian straight back over his head for a six over long-on.

Zampa, though, finishes with good figures of one for 32 in four overs.

Punjab 102-2 (13 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Zampa has enjoyed bowling at this venue in Vizag as Punjab's batsmen play his second over watchfully, taking just five singles.

Chahar comes back, to bowl his third over, replacing Ashwin after he bowled two overs for 16 runs. Gurkeerat looks to play the pull shot but fails to make proper connection but makes the shot work, two balls later as he pulls a short ball fine on the leg side for a four.

Vijay looks to go after Zampa as he slaps the fifth ball through midwicket for a four before he slog sweeps the next delivery through the same region, but this time over the ropes for a six to take Punjab past the 100-run mark, in the 13th over.

Punjab 76-2 (10 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa comes into the attack and he needs just three balls to get his first wicket.

Saha gets an edge and is caught at first slip by Ashwin as Punjab are reduced to 65 for two in the ninth over. He played a poor shot, trying to steer it to thirdman despite a fielder being placed in the slips.

Gurkeerat Singh gets off the mark with a single and Vijay keeps strike with one from the last ball as Zampa makes a good start.

Gurkeerat drives Ashwin through the off-side for two runs before he late cuts Ashwin beating the fielder at short thirdman for a four.

Ashwin goes for nine in his second over as Punjab reach 76 for two in 10 overs at the halfway stage.

Vijay looks keen to stay till the end, he is batting on 31 from 24 balls, while Gurkeerat is on eight from five balls.

Punjab 63-1 (8 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Left-armer Pathan comes back for his second spell and he sends down a quiet over, conceding just four singles in his second over.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is called into the attack. Amla targets him immediately as he reverse sweeps the first ball fine on the off-side for a four. But the bowler gets revenge two balls later as Amla chips it straight to George Bailey at midwicket to fall for 30.

The slow nature of the wicket accounted for Amla, who looks to whips it through the leg side but is unable to keep it along the ground.

New batsman Wriddhiman Saha gets off the mark with a single as Ashwin starts with a wicket while giving away just seven runs.

Punjab 52-0 (6 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Punjab's openers content to play risk-free cricket at the moment and look to play to the merit of the ball as they get their eye in. But after a steady start, it seems both of them have decided to change a gear.

Chahar bowls two wides to Amla before his partner Vijay slams the fifth ball over long-on for a six and nudges the last ball fine for a four to break the shackles.

Chahar goes for 15 runs in his second over as Punjab reach 40 for no loss in five overs.

Sri Lankan Thisara Perera comes into the attack. Vijay continues his positive approach as he slaps the third ball straight down the ground, past mid-on for a four.

Amla joins the fray as he hoists the fifth ball over long-off for a six as Punjab reach 52 for no loss in six overs.

Punjab 25-0 (4 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Ashok Dinda to bowl the second over. Vijay steers the first ball to thirdman for one before Amla gets an inside edge which goes on the bounce to wicketkeeper Dhoni, who does well to dive to his left and stop it.

Amla then steers the third ball to fine leg for one before Vijay chips down the track to the fifth ball but fails to connect.

A good start from Dinda, giving away just two runs in his first over.

Fast bowler Deepak Chahar comes into the attack after just one over for Pathan with the new ball.

Amla turns the second ball through midwicket for two runs before Chahar bowls a wide down the leg side to the right-hander.

The pacer then bowls one on the pads as Amla flicks it past short fine leg for his third four to take his score to 15.

Dinda to continue after a tidy first over. Vijay finally gets his first boundary as he pulls the fourth ball in front of square for a four. He misses out on another four off the next ball as Pathan does well to run to his right and puts in the dive to save some runs.

Punjab 8-0 (2 ovs) vs Pune | Scorecard

Hashim Amla and Murali Vijay -- two players who are are considered more of a longer version batsmen than T20s will open the bowling, while Irfan Pathan will open the bowling for Pune.

Amla defends the first two balls, which swing in, on the leg side before he moves across to the third ball and flicks it through midwicket for a four.

He looks to nudge the fourth ball fine on the leg side but fails to make connection but makes connection off the last ball to end the over with another four.

While both Pune and Punjab are out of the running for a place in the play-offs, the remaining six teams are still in contention.

Check out the remaining six teams' chances of making it to the next stage.

Punjab captain Murali Vijay has won the toss and elected to bat against Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Pune.

While Pune are unchanged, Punjab have made one change with Rishi Dhawan replacing K C Cariappa.

Welcome to the coverage of the 53rd match of the Indian Premier League between Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab, in Visakhapatnam, on Saturday.

Their pride bruised following disastrous campaigns, Kings XI Punjab and Rising Pune Supergiants will look for a graceful exit from the ninth edition of the IPL when they square off against each other for one last time in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Supergiants are coming into the contest after a victory over Delhi Daredevils at the same venue, their home ground, while Punjab have lost their last two outings -- against RCB and table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Punjab's fourth and last win this season had come at this very ground, when they had got the better of Mumbai Indians.

To make an early exit from this tournament is a completely different zone for Supergiants skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has excelled as a leader in all the previous editions. But never before has he been saddled with the kind of injury crisis that he dealt with this year.

For Punjab, it was a repeat of the previous seasons. Neither a change in captaincy nor the late addition of a overseas players could lift the team.

They continued to be laggards, lacking enough firepower and impact players to trigger a turnaround of fortunes. Adding to their woes was reports that there was a tiff between the team management and the owners.

Punjab have certainly missed quality players in their ranks and non-performance of the big-hitting David Miller has affected them badly.

Losing Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh, among their most consistent players, added to the problems.