IPL 2016: SEASON 9
In the 25th match of the Indian Premier League, in a thrilling edge-of-the-seat, topsy turvy encounter in Pune, Gujarat Lions beat Rising Pune Supergiants off the very last ball of the match, successfully chasing a daunting total of 195. This was not a match for the weak of heart as the match and the momentum shifted from one team to another and kept everyone guessing until the last ball. Winning the toss and inserting the opposition in to bat has become the norm in this tournament, as the Rising Pune Supergiants gleefully accepted the invitation and racked up a gigantic score of 195 for 3 wickets. Steven Smith played a scintillating knock, finding the ropes eight times and hitting over it on five occasions as he massacred the Gujarat Lions bowling to the tune of 101 runs off just 54 balls. Giving him good company were Ajinkya Rahane with 53 and MS Dhoni with an unbeaten 30. There was a lot of on-field action as Suresh Raina did a Jonty Rhodes to run out SS Tiwary, and debutant Shivil Kaushik clean bowled Steven Smith, only to discover to his horror that he had overstepped. A total of 195 usually wins you the match on nine out of ten days but there is always that one odd day out. Gujarat Lions had a brisk start to their innings, Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum punishing the RPS bowlers to the tune of 93 in just eight overs. Things quietened a bit after that but Gujarat Lions were always in the hunt after their excellent start, and despite some comical run out dismissals towards the end made it just in time to savor a fabulous victory for the Gujarat Lions. On any other day Steven Smith's 101 off 54 balls would have won him the Man of the Match award but Dwayne Smith stole the thunder from him with his 37-ball 63 to clinch the award.