08 April,2017 12:52 PM IST | | PTI
Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) aim to build on a promising start when they take on last season’s laggards, Kings XI Punjab, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) today
RPS players celebrate fall of a wicket against Mumbai Indians. Pic/ PTI
Indore: Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) aim to build on a promising start when they take on last season's laggards, Kings XI Punjab, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) today.
Steven Smith, who has replaced MS Dhoni as the Pune captain, began the season in style by smashing an unbeaten 84 on Thursday to seal a seven-wicket win for his team in its opener against Mumbai Indians. The Australian would be hoping his dream run with the bat rubs off on to the Pune outfit, which is eyeing a turnaround after a forgettable IPL debut last season. The team had finished second last, only ahead of Kings XI in 2016.
Kings XI are looking to make amends for finishing last in the previous two seasons. They would be hoping their bold decision of making Glenn Maxwell the captain, ahead of established names like Eoin Morgan, pays off.
It remains to be seen what combination Kings XI goes ahead with in their IPL opener. Though they have retained their core group, Kings XI bought eight players in the IPL auction including well known names like Morgan, Darren Sammy, Martin Guptill and Varun Aaron.
