Rahane lifts Pune over Mumbai on IPL debut

MUMBAI — Debutant Rising Pune Supergiants made a splendid debut in the Indian Premier League by thrashing defending champion Mumbai Indians by nine wickets in the opening game of the season here Saturday. The visiting team took early control of the Maharashtra state Derby by reducing Mumbai to 30 for four during power play and then 68 for seven before Harbhajan Singh led the fight-back with a breezy innings of 45 not out in 30 balls to help the host reach 121 for eight. For the league debutant, Ishant (2-36) and Marsh (2-21) did the early damage. The Supergiants made a fantastic start in the run-chase with openers Ajinkya Rahane (66 not out) and Faf du Plessis (34) pushing the score to 78 in 10 overs. There was no stopping the visitor’s charge after this splendid start and the Supergiants surged to victory in 14.4 overs with Rahane remaining unconquered on a well-made, unbeaten half ton off 42 balls, embellished with three sixes and seven fours, along with Kevin Pietersen (21 not out). Rahane finished off the game in style, by striking two sixes in 15th over from Hardik Pandya. Mumbai, thus, made another unpromising start to its campaign after having lost five and four games initially in the last two seasons respectively. Scores: Rising Pune Supergiants 126 for 1 (Rahane 66 not out, du Plessis 34) beat Mumbai Indians 121 for 8 (Harbhajan 45 not out, Marsh 2-21) by nine wickets.