Dhoni scored when RPS needed the most and clinched the win out of the jaws of defeat.
RPS wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni (Photo: AFP)
India's star finisher MS Dhoni gifted Rising Pune Supergiant a picture-perfect six-wicket victory against defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad in an IPL 2017 match at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Saturday.
Dhoni scored when RPS needed the most and clinched the win out of the jaws of defeat. He slammed unbeaten 61 runs off 34 balls at a strike rate of 179.41, his best in the season so far.
The 35-year-old hit three massive sixes and five boundaries to lift the home crowd off their feet.
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Along with Dhoni, Manoj Tiwary (17*) shouldered responsibility and stabilised Pune at middle-order.
The fifth-wicket partnership pair put unbeaten 58 runs to propel Pune to the victory.
Chasing a competitive target of 177 runs, Pune hesitated in the beginning as opener Ajinkya Rahane lost his wicket cheaply for two runs.
However, the other opener Rahul Tripathi didn't fail to impress as he smashed 59 runs off 41 balls with the help of three sixes and six boundaries.
Captain Steve Smith and overseas delight Ben Stokes managed to contribute just 27 and 10 runs respectively in the chase.
For Hyderabad, purple cap holder Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Bipul Sharma and Rashid Khan claimed one wicket each besides other unsuccessful bowlers in the camp.
Earlier, it was Moises Henriques' swashbuckling 55 runs (not out) that lifted Hyderabad to a comfortable score of 176/3 in the end of their innings.
Henriques intensified the action in last four overs and slammed two sixes and six boundaries in his 28-ball entertaining knock that was concluded at a strike rate of 196.42.
At the helm, middle-order batsman Deepak Hooda stood tall alongside Henriques, scoring 19 runs (not out) at a strike rate of 190.
Hooda and Henriques put unbeaten 47 runs for the fourth-wicket partnership stand.
SRH captain David Warner played slower innings at Pune though managed to contribute 43 runs off 40 balls before losing his wicket to Jaydev Unadkat.
Other top-bets Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson lost their wicket to Imran Tahir and Daniel Christan after scoring 31 and 21 runs respectively.
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