IPL 2016: DD vs RPS - Riding on opener Ajinkya Rahan- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

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Riding on opener Ajinkya Rahane's fifth half-century of the tournament, Rising Pune Supergiants beat Delhi Daredevils by seven wickets in a league match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium on May 5, 2016.

In This Pic : Team Rising Pune Supergiants

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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Continuing his consistent run with the willow, the 27-year-old Rahane completed his 50 off just 38 balls, and his unbeaten 63 came off 48 balls with seven hits to the fence. Chasing 163, Pune got off to a brilliant start with Rahane and Usman Khawaja (30) laying a solid platform but leg-spinner Amit Mishra finally managed to put the brakes. Khwaja, playing his first IPL game, forged a 59-run stand with Rahane before being stumped off Mishra by Sanju Samson. His 27-ball knock was laced with two boundaries and a six.

In This Pic : Usman Khawaja

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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Keeping the left-right combination intact, Saurabh Tiwary (21) joined Rahane in the middle clobbered Mishra for a towering six. Scoring a 18-ball 21, he added 45 runs for the second wicket with Rahane before Delhi's South African recruit Imran Tahir packed him back as he tried to slog-sweep a ball from outside off only to be caught at deep midwicket by Sam Billings.

In This Pic : Ajinkya Rahane

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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With the visitors needing 59 from 40 deliveries, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27) decided to promote himself to No 3 and the ploy paid off. Rahane and Dhoni started milking the Delhi bowlers at will with the Ranchi batsman being the more destructive of the two, clobbering Mohammed Shami for a four and a straight six off consecutive deliveries.

In This Pic : MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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Earlier, Pune restricted Delhi Daredevils to 162 for seven after winning the toss and electing to field. Delhi got off to a poor start losing the early wicket of Rishabh Pant, the hero of the last match against Gujarat Lions with a brilliant half-century. His fall brought in Karun Nair, who stitched a quickfire 35-run stand for the second wicket with Samson.

In This Pic : Karun Nair

Pic Courtesy : PTI