Smith ton in vain as Pune fall to defeat

The Gujarat Lions cemented their place at the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) when they beat the Rising Pune Supergiants by three wickets in a thrilling contest despite a maiden T20 century from Steve Smith.
Smith struck an imperious 101 off 54 balls as the Supergiants recovered from the loss of an early wicket to post a total of 195 for three in the 20 overs, which ultimately was not enough on a good batting pitch.
Saurabh Tiwary was run out in the third over for a single but Smith and Ajinkya Rahane combined for a 111-run partnership for the second wicket.
Rahane made an important contribution of 53 from 45 balls but the innings got a late boost as MS Dhoni bludgeoned 30 not out off just 18 balls, including two sixes and two fours.
Gujarat's run-chase got off to a cracking start as openers Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith blazed their way to 93 off only eight overs before McCullum departed for a rapid 43 off 22 balls.
Smith went on to score 63 from 37 balls while Suresh Raina (34) and Dinesh Karthik (33) made valuable contributions in the middle-order but the visitors kept losing wickets to give the home side hope.
Pune seamer Ashok Dinda initiated a small collapse that had the Gujarat dugout nervous as they required nine runs off the final six balls.
And even though there were two wickets in the over, birthday boy James Faulkner hit the winning runs off the final ball to give his team their sixth victory in their first seven games.
Latest
-
News
Run of defeats has not damaged England’s confidence, insists Moeen Ali
The all-rounder is confident England will be in good shape for the defence of their World Cup crown.
-
County Cricket
Lancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
England
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South Africa
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
England
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
England
Jason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
England
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
England
Jofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
England
England beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's Cricket
England reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.