Steven Smith played a captain’s knock to guide his team Rising Pune Supergiants to a nail-bitting victory over the Mumbai Indians at the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium in Pune on April 6.
Smith, who smashed two consecutive sixes to chase the 185 runs target set by Mumbai Indians with one ball to spare, said that the venue or pitch conditions do not matter when a batsman is in form.
“Form is form anywhere, I guess, so you got to make the most of it when you’re hitting the ball well. It’s a nice place to bat at Pune. Fortunate to get over the line in the end,” said the Australian.
Needing 13 runs in the final over, the Australian took the onus and smashed two long sixes to grab the victory in their opening game.
Smith remained unbeaten on 84 runs off a mere 54 deliveries. During his knock, the right-handed batsman struck seven boundaries and three sixes.
Besides Smith, former Rajasthan Royals batsman Ajinkya Rahane too played an important knock. Rahane scored 60 runs off 34 balls with six boundaries and three hits into the stands.
Earlier, Hardilk Pandya’s last-over blistering performance helped Mumbai recover from a mediocre position to post a healthy 184/8. Pandya then added 37 runs for the eighth wicket with New Zealander Tim Southee.
