Sourav Ganguly makes a winning return with Pune Warriors

Former India Sourav Ganguly captain made a winning return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as Pune Warriors
India beat Deccan Chargers by six wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium at the Uppal here Tuesday.

Ganguly remained unbeaten on 32 not out and Manish Pandey made 49 as Pune Warriors achieved the target of 137 with 10 balls to spare.

Pandey and Jesse Ryder (35) gave Pune Warriors a terrific start adding 55 runs for the opening wicket.

Ryder smashed two huge sixes and five boundaries in his quick-fire 20-ball knock before Pragyan Ojha dismissed him in the seventh over.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra trapped Pandey lbw in the twelfth over, a ball after the batsman hit a huge six. Pandey slammed two sixes and six boundaries in his 42-ball innings.

Ganguly hit a six and three boundaries in his unbeaten run-a-ball innings.

Earlier, Mitchell Marsh (4-25) and Yuvraj Singh (2-17) restricted Deccan Chargers to 136/8.

Chargers failed to capitalise on their good start as openers added quick 51-run partnership before Pune skipper Yuvraj and young pacer Marsh struck in successive overs to remove Deccan openers.

Marsh clean bowled Ravi Teja (30) in the eighth over after his skipper Yuvraj dismissed Shikhar Dhawan (24) in the previous over.

Ganguly said it was the toughest day of his career.

“I said ‘it’s probably the toughest day of my career. I haven’t picked a cricket bat for five months. I wasn’t here for the game on the 4th against Mumbai, but I wanted to get ready.

“I came here with zero confidence. Fielding will also get better, it’s about anticipating which I haven’t done for a while,” he said.