Pune: Riding on skipper Steve Smith's magnificent 84-run knock, Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) kicked-off their IPL 2017 campaign in style after beating Mumbai Indians by seven wickets at the MCA stadium here tonight.
Chasing 185 runs for victory, hosts RPS started on a good note adding 35 runs in the initial three overs however, opener Mayank Agarwal (6) was dismissed in the fourth over by left-arm pacer Mitchell McClenaghan.Ajinkya Rahane, who opened the innings with Agarwal, was then joined by skipper Smith and both stiched a solid partnership of 58 runs to repaire the damage.
The duo took their team past the 90-run mark but a well-settled Rahane had to return back to the dug out as the opener, while trying to clear the fence, was caught brilliantly at deep square leg by Nitish Rana.
Rahane smashed 60 off 34 deliveries which included six boundaries and three sixes.Incoming batsman Ben Stokes provided full support to his skipper and the duo forged a 50-run partnership in the next five overs to take RPS to 143 in 15.2 overs.(UNI)