IPL: Rising Pune Supergiants Make Stunning Debut, Rout Defending Champions Mumbai Indians

Ishant Sharma struck the first blow as he packed off Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma off the first ball of his spell. Rohit was trapped LBW for just seven. (Image Credit: AFP)

Lendl Simmons was the next one to as he was castled for 8. Simmons, in the previous over had smashed RP Singh for a massive six, but failed to capitalise on the decent start. (Image Credit: BCCI)

Hardik Pandya was promoted up the order but failed as he was dismissed by Mitchell Marsh. Marsh then picked up IPL debutant Jos Buttler to finish with figures of 2/21. (Image Credit: BCCI)

Murgugan Ashwin, who was snapped up for whopping Rs 4.5 cr at the IPl auction impressed one and all with figures of 1/16. (Image Credit: BCCI)

Harbhajan Singh was the lone ranger for Mumbai Indians as he smashed an unbeaten 45 off 30 balls. None of the Mumbai batsmen could really contribute as the off-spinner smashed seven boundaries and one six. (Image Credit: BCCI)

In reply, Pune got off to a strong start. The opening duo of Faf du Plessis and Ajinkya Rahane put on a 78-runs stand to ensure that Pune were in cruise control in the chase. (Image Credit: BCCI)

Mumbai had to turn to Harbhajan Singh once again to do the damage as cleaned up Du Plessis, who played one back onto the stumps for 34. Bhajji returned with figures of 1/24 from 3 overs. (Image Credit: BCCI)

Rahane, meanwhile, soon brought his half-century in the 13th over with a boundary off Shreyas Gopal. It was Rahane who hit the winning runs to give the IPL debutants a rousing start. Rahane remained unbeaten 66 off just 42 balls, which included seven boundaries and three sixes. (Image Credit: BCCI)