We need to look at our team composition: MS Dhoni

The Gujarat Lions (GL) beat Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in the battle of the debutants at Rajkot. It was a perfect batting wicket that didn’t really change in the course of the game. Pune had a great start but lost the set batsmen in the middle overs and were never quite able to push the run rate, though skipper MS Dhoni got 20 in the last over off Dwayne Bravo to help them get 163 in the end it proved insufficient against the batting lineup that starts with the likes of Brendon McCullum and Aaron Finch. GL openers were up for the task and put up a 85-run stand. 20s from Suresh Raina and Bravo took them home with 7 wickets in hands.

At the post-match presentation Gujarat skipper Suresh Raina said: “First game at home and we played really good cricket today. I though we have to play 3-4 spinners but it’s not easy to hit sixes in this ground. (Bravo) is the main player for us. We have to give chance to everyone. Finchy and Baz set the tone for us. We have Baz, Bravo and Finch – Lot of experienced players in the side.”

Pune skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni wasn’t really impressed with his team’s performance and felt they have a few things to work out including the team combination before the next game and said that the players they expected to come good didn’t and the bowlers leaked too many runs in the power play. MS Dhoni said: “I think it was a good score but what’s important is to bowl well in the first six overs.”

Talking about bringing in Murugan Ashwin to bowl in the power play Dhoni said, “It was forced and I don’t think the fast bowlers bowled well. I told them quite a few things and it stays within the team. We gave away too many runs in the powerplay.”

What are the aspects he thinks they need to work on before the next game? The skipper said, “We need to look at the composition. Need to look at the players who suit us the best. First game we did well but we could have played with a few other players in this game. But credit to the players who have done well in the first game. It’s a new team and you don’t have the luxury of playing some fantastic all-rounders.”

GL opener Finch for his half-century the second in the last couple of games was awarded the Player of the Match. Aaron Finch said: “It’s nice to contribute with the bat in two wins. It was a beautiful batting wicket. It was great batting with Brendon tonight. I chewed up a bit of strike initially. Baz is a special player, I’m much happier that he is in our team. It’s a great start. Pune is a strong side that is led well by MS, but the way we’ve played has been pleasing. Probably if we can pick a few wickets in the Powerplays, it would be fantastic. Jadeja, Bravo have been brilliant in pulling things back.”

What does Amit Mishra think about the DD team? – We’re confident and will go out with an aggressive approach: Amit Mishra