Can Pune build on Chepauk success?
Preview of the match between Pune Warriors and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Pune
Match facts
April 17, 2013Start time 1600 (1030 GMT)
Big Picture
Pune Warriors against Sunrisers Hyderabad might not be one of the most high-profile matches of the IPL, but both teams have played better than expected already in this competition. While Sunrisers have already recorded wins against Royal Challengers Bangalore (holding their own in a Super Over) and (a much-fancied but underperforming) Delhi Daredevils, Warriors pulled off a huge upset on Monday, beating Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk.Players to watch
Apart from taking that spectacular boundary catch against Kolkata Knight Riders last season, Steven Smith was one of Warriors' few bright sparks, scoring 362 runs at 40.22 in an otherwise forgetful 2012. After being made to sit out Warriors' first four games this season, he produced what turned out to be the match-winning innings against Super Kings. After Warriors had inexplicably slowed down after Finch's assault, Smith provided the final surge: his unbeaten 39 came off 16, going after Dirk Nannes and Dwayne Bravo. The shot of the game was a reverse-flick for six over third man. If Warriors are to improve on their record this season, Smith will have to play another central role in their campaign.Stats and Trivia
- Parthiv Patel needs one more run to get to a 1000 IPL runs. His runs have been spread across stints with Chennai Super Kings, Kochi Tuskers, Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- In Warriors' previous game, against Mumbai Indians, Ashok Dinda went at 15.75 runs an over - that equaled the record for the most expensive spell in IPL cricket, alongside Varun Aaron's in the second qualifier in 2012
Quotes
"They can make the last four. They have some big hitters in Uthappa, Finch, Taylor, Smith and Marsh, who can win on their own."Former Warriors captain Sourav Ganguly backs the team to have their best season yet
Ross Taylor offers an update on Yuvraj Singh's fitness
Nikita Bastian is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo