By BV Swagath
Pune Warriors’ campaign in the IPL 5 ended on a dismal note as they went onto lose their last league match by 34 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium. On what was a minefield, Pune Warriors struggled to chase even a modest target of 137 an ended up with a sorry 102/8 in 20 overs.
West Indian Sunil Narine was once again unplayable as he claimed figures of 1 for 15 in 4 overs. Shakib Al Hasan enjoyed the low bouncing spinning track to come up with 2 for 18 in 4 overs while the other bowlers also chipped in for Gautam Gambhir to help KKR defend the low total of 136.
Pune Warriors looked in a nice shape as long as Jesse Ryder (22 from 24 balls with 2 sixes) and Michael Clarke (13 from 18 balls) were at the crease. But both the international stars were comprehensively done in by the KKR spinners and after their exit, it was a stranglehold for the rest of the Pune batsmen.
The batting from Pune Warriors was so weak that Jesse Ryder with his 22 went onto be their top scorer in the innings! With this the Pune Warriors have played out all their 16 games and this happens to be a ninth defeat on the trot! KKR with this victory have finished nicely in the second spot behind Delhi Daredevils.