IPL 2017: Gujarat Lions vs Rising Pune Supergiant, 5 Talking Points

#4 Smith-McCullum blitz at the top

Openers Smith and McCullum provided a great platform at the top

GL made a big call in their batting order and promoted Dwayne Smith to open the innings having dropped Jason Roy from the XI. The move turned out just perfect as the openers Smith and McCullum provided a great platform at the top.

They added 94 runs for the first wicket before Smith was dismissed in the 9^th over. He scored 47 off 30 balls that included 8 fours and a six. His Kiwi partner made 49 off 32 with 5 fours and 3 sixes before getting out in the 12^th over.

They went after the bowling right from the word go and the put the pressure on the bowlers straight away. To chase the target of 172, it was the kind of start that puts the opposition on the back foot. The batsmen that followed weren’t left with too much to do and completed the formality having 12 balls in hand.