Beating a strong Mumbai side in their own den is not an easy task, writes Yuvraj Singh in a column in The Times Of India, adding that he was delighted by the way Pune have opened their IPL campaign. "Full marks to the team, the way they fought in the match to emerge on the right side of the result. The best part about the win was that it was a complete team effort where every department and every member of the side chipped in with useful contributions. And more often than not, when you are facing a strong side like Mumbai you need every member of the side to put that effort," adds Yuvraj.
"I was very happy to see some sensible batting from Robin Uthappa and Steve Smith to take us there. Later skipper Sourav Ganguly played a masterstroke by introducing the veteran of many battles, Murali Kartik, into the attack and the rewards followed immediately. The dangerous Richard Levi’s wicket was the perfect start and than our new entry, Ashok Dinda, tightened the screws. Thereafter, Mumbai were never allowed to stage a comeback with some disciplined bowling and fielding," writes Yuvraj.
Meanwhile Sourav Ganguly in his column in Hindustan Times writes that Pune is a young side and this win will help the players gain confidence. "This is just the start; a lot of permutation and combination are in store. So, there is no point going overboard after just one win. Rather, we need to keep our focus intact and get on with the job. The win though is important in many ways. Firstly, we won points in an away game. Secondly, when you put it across a side like Mumbai, the confidence level goes up," adds Ganguly.
"Robin Uthappa and Steven Smith put their best foot forward with the bat and when it came to bowling, everyone put his hand up. I must make a special mention of Ashoke Dinda. I have been saying this throughout the season that Dinda is India's No. 1 fast bowler at the moment, and his deeds continue to prove me right," writes Ganguly.
The trick in IPL is to get the balance right, and to do that, writes Jacques in HT. "Instead of worrying about the off-field side of the tournament, we need to embrace it. There have been occasions when I haven't fully enjoyed the functions and parties because I have been concerned about my rest and preparation. This time, I will be concentrating on managing what I can instead of what I can't!," adds Kallis.
Writing about the performance of Ashok Dinda, Kallis writes that ever since emerging on the scene seven years ago, Dinda has become used to going unnoticed as a pacer. "Perhaps, it is because of his physique that is quite unlike a genuine fast bowler. Dinda, who has featured in just seven ODIS and three T20 Internationals for India, is also a valuable asset on the field. By getting rid of Ambati Rayudu and Rohit Sharma off the first and last deliveries, respectively, Dinda broke the back of MI'S batting."