Cricket: Pune win IPL battle of newcomers

Beat Kochi by six wickets to claim second victory in tournament.

MUMBAI:

Robin Uthappa and Monish Mishra combined to destroy Kochi Tuskers Kerala as Pune Warriors won the battle of the Indian Premier League (IPL) new comers by four wickets in Mumbai.

Uthappa and Mishra added 42 in just 20 deliveries as Pune overhauled the 149-run target in the penultimate over. Both franchises, making their IPL debut, have made contrasting progress in the fourth edition of the tournament: While Pune have won both their matches, Kochi have ended on the losing side in their two games.

Kochi were off to a terrible start losing opener Brendon McCullum on the first ball of the match by Alfonso Thomas. Wayne Parnell claimed three quick wickets as Kochi were reduced to 24 for four and the writing on the wall. An 88-run partnership between Brad Hodge and Ravindra Jadeja revived hopes before wickets tumbled again. Raiphi Gomez hit out in the final overs as Kochi had to settle for an average total.

Hopes of claiming quick wickets and restricting the scoring were quickly dismissed by Jesse Ryder. Trouble in meeting the asking rate meant Kochi were still in the game and when captain Yuvraj Singh was dismissed in the 12th over, Pune were reduced to 73 for four.

But Uthappa and Mishra put Kochi out of the game with a whirlwind partnership. Uthappa made 31 off just 13 deliveries including two sixes but Mishra ensured there were no hiccups remaining not out at 37.

His knock comprised of two fours and overshadowed Brad Hodge’s performance of 39 runs and two wickets.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th,  2011.