IPL 2017

Wanted to try and make Pune a bit of a fortress: Smith

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Rising Pune Supergiant beat Gujarat Lions in a nervy chase to fortify their position in the top four.
Rising Pune Supergiant beat Gujarat Lions in a nervy chase to fortify their position in the top four. © BCCI

It was a day before the Indian Premier League auction that MS Dhoni was replaced by Steve Smith as the captain of the Rising Pune Supergiant. Owner Sanjeev Goenka was full of praise of Smith's involvement at the time of the auction and getting to know his side, highlighting his qualities of a leader. At the same time, there was also apprehension amongst masses as to how the working relationship between Dhoni and Smith would affect the side in the tenth edition.

As it turned out, ten games into the tournament and a number of training sessions after, Smith and Dhoni seem to share a space of mutual understanding and camaraderie to the extent of doing things together. And seem happy whilst at it - evidence of which was their bonding session over a drone camera at training ahead of their game against RCB. Not limiting it to just the two, but the Pune outfit as a whole gives off the vibe of a sprightly unit, which perhaps is transcending into their cricket as well.

"For us it's about trying to get to know each other for six or eight weeks and try and get the best out of each other," said Smith on Monday (May 1) "Even learn a bit about one another. The team's been really good. We've got some really good characters in the shed there.

"It's been good how we've been able to gel together as a team. I'd say for us and Gujarat as well, would've been the toughest for the two franchises, given that we were new teams. A lot of other teams have had their core players for a long time so they know each other really well. They have had many years of bonding together. It's nice to be playing some good cricket at the same time; it helps," he added.

Pune have found ways to sneak out wins in close games this season, much in contrast to last year, where they were on the receiving end. Pune have won five of their last six games and have strengthened their position in the top four, with four points separating them and the next-best Kings XI Punjab.

"I actually said to the group of guys that we had five games, four here (in Pune) and one in Mumbai. Not a lot of travel. Home ground, we wanted to try and make it a bit of a fortress. We're four and two here if I'm right. That's reasonable going. One more game to play here against the Kings, so hopefully we can make it 5 and 2. I've said that these five games are very important for us and I think we've played some really good cricket and it's nice to get over the line and be in the position where we are now.

"It's certainly been a different season for us. This year we've been able to get over the line in those close games. Last year we were at the end of that. That's how T20 cricket works sometimes. We've been really fortunate there."

Lockie Ferguson was left out of the clash against Gujarat Lions after a Man-of-the-Match-winning performance against RCB. Ben Stokes, who replaced him, however, delivered at the right moment. Stokes came in when the team was reeling at 10 for 3 in a chase of 162. He went on to score his first T20 century and in the bargain, took Pune to an unlikely five-wicket win and earn two vital points.

"It was difficult (to leave out Ferguson) but we had some different thoughts," said Smith. "We thought this is our best combination. Dan Christian has bowled particularly well in the games he's played and he's a power-hitter towards the end as well. He's done a really good job for us. So tonight it was the right call. It's about trying to get the right balance for your team in any conditions you play. It's not just our team that faces this. Every team has some quality players on their bench in the opposition, so it's tough on the guys that they miss out, but you have to try and pick your best team for each game."

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