Gujarat Lions vs Rising Pune Supergiants: IPL 2016 as it happened

That is it for now, but you can join my colleague Tony Mogan for live football coverage as Liverpool welcome Borussia Dortmund to Anfield for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

We resume IPL duties tomorrow, when Kings XI Punjab meet the Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. Bye for now.

A thoroughly comfortable victory for the Lions, who maintain their 100% start to life in the IPL.

They face the defending champion Mumbai Indians on Saturday, while the Supergiants will hope to bounce back a day later as they take on Kings XI Punjab in Mohali.

Gujarat Lions beat Rising Pune Supergiants by seven wickets

19th over - Gujarat Lions 164-3

What an insipid way to lose a T20 match. RP Singh bowls at Jadeja but produces a wide down leg and it's all over in Rajkot with 12 balls remaining.

18th over - Gujarat Lions 163-3

Jadeja takes a single and gets back safely as Marsh struggles to scoop the ball up for a run-out chance. A leg bye and a no ball follow as Bhatia oversteps the mark by a considerable distance. The free hit goes for two and Bravo then moves onto 22 from 10 with a quite excellent shot over cover for six.

Just one more run needed for a comprehensive victory.

17th over - Gujarat Lions 151-3

13 off 18 required. Jadeja joins Bravo at the crease.

No second chances from Dhoni this time as he reacts quickly to stump his fellow captain.

Too little, too late as far as Pune are concerned.

Wicket - Raina (24) st Dhoni b M Ashwin 147-3

16th over - Gujarat Lions 147-2

In a sequence that draws parallels with Smith's shot off Wahab Riaz during the T20 World Cup, Bravo moves well wide of leg-stump. Instead of bowling straight at the wickets to at least give him something to think about, Sharma follows his line and is duly hit through cover for four.

The West Indies star then backs that up by crashing two more boundaries. That's surely it for Pune's hopes of avoiding defeat. Just 17 needed from 24.

15th over - Gujarat Lions 132-2

A couple of reprieves for the sliding Raina, who survives after Rahane fails to register a direct hit. He seems to have hurt himself in his quest to get back to his crease but looks OK to continue after a short break. He recovers to score three more and Bravo gets luck when a big edge fails to carry to the fielder.

14th over - Gujarat Lions 129-2

Bravo comes up the order and replaces Karthik at four. Raina takes three before sauntering down the wicket to blast his first four of the innings. He finishes with a single and it's nine in total from the over.

35 runs needed from 36 now.

Instead of nudging a quick single to bring up his 50, the adventurous McCullum goes for a big pull shot from a shorter ball but instead edges high into the air and Du Plessis gets underneath to take a simple catch.

Wicket - McCullum (49) c Du Plessis b Sharma (Gujarat Lions 120-2)

13th over - Gujarat Lions 120-1

Every delivery of that Bhatia over goes for a single. Gujarat now need 44 from their final 42 balls.

12th over - Gujarat Lions 114-1

Raina snatches a single and only a sprawling stop from Pietersen prevents four more. McCullum drives a full toss beyond the bowler to the boundary rope and then slaps over long-on for six.

Dhoni uncharacteristically misses a stumping and McCullum survives. He kicks the ball against the wickets in acknowledgement that he has botched an important chance.

11th over - Gujarat Lions 101-1

McCullum goes to mid-on for one and Raina runs for two from a shorter delivery. A flurry of singles follow before a missed sweep shot from McCullum turns beyond Dhoni for a couple of byes. The ton is up for Gujurat.

They need 63 from the final nine overs.

10th over - Gujarat Lions - 93-1

Ninth over - Gujarat Lions 87-1

Much better from M Ashwin. Captain Raina, the top run scorer in IPL history, is in to bat for the Lions.

M Ashwin banishes memories of his torrid previous over and makes a crucial breakthrough. Finch has played so well but has to walk after miscuing a sweep to deep square leg, where Sharma takes an assured catch.

Will the match turn on that dismissal?

Wicket - Finch (50) c Sharma b M Ashwin (Gujarat Lions 85-1)

Eighth over - Gujarat Lions 85-0

RP Singh to the rescue for Pune as he produces a cracking dive to stop Finch's latest effort racing away for four through the leg-side. McCullum comes back on strike after a single and edges past third man to the boundary.

A final single from Finch brings up his 50 from just 33 deliveries. Impressive batting from the 29-year-old.

Seventh over - Gujarat Lions 75-0

Bhatia watches on in horror as Finch's powerful shot soars high and into the stands. An over that began with a single from McCullum ends with Finch's second six over long-on. All too easy at the moment for Gujarat Lions and this confident opening partnership.

Sixth over - Gujarat Lions 62-0

A nightmare start for M Ashwin as a leg bye is followed by back-to-back fours from Finch. The Lions go beyond 50 and pick up three wides before yet another short ball to Finch is crashed away past cover fielder Du Plessis for four.

A dot ball provides momentary relief, but Finch responds by hitting his seventh four to deep backward square-leg. A horribly expensive over goes for 20 runs.

M Ashwin comes in from the boundary to take his turn with the ball.

Fifth over - Gujarat Lions 42-0

Finch takes a single before some committed fielding from M Ashwin saves a boundary. McCullum gets three, but they are the last runs of the over as R Ashwin produces four straight dot balls.

Dhoni introduces some variety into his bowling attack as off-spinner Ashwin begins his first spell.

Fourth over - Gujarat Lions 38-0

Another short and wide ball is given similar treatment by Finch as the Australian clips above deep backward point. McCullum swaggers down the pitch and bludgeons a shot to long-on for one before Finch clocks his second easy four of the over.

Poor bowling from Sharma, it must be said.

Third over - Gujarat Lions 27-0

The first six of this innings goes to McCullum, who wallops a wide ball outside off-stump. He quickly follows that up by calmly pulling a disappointing shorter delivery over mid-wicket. 14 from the over.

Second over - Gujarat Lions 13-0

Sharma is quickly dispatched through backward square-leg for four. A confident Finch helps himself to a single after two dot balls and Gujarat take a leg bye as the ball crashes away off McCullum's thigh pad.

Finch sends his partner back as he declines to take another quick run following a shot to mid-wicket.

Sharma to bowl next...

First over - Gujarat Lions 7-0

Finch is handed an instant reprieve as he survives a very close lbw shout with the first delivery of the innings . That was a big appeal. The Lions move off nought with a leg bye and Singh begins to swing the ball nicely.

McCullum gets on strike and immediately strikes beyond mid-wicket for four. The former Black Caps skipper then nicks a single and luckily gets his foot down on a direct hit to the stumps. His bat looked to be stuck in the ground but the video replay comes to his aid.

The Gujarat chase is set to begin. Finch and McCullum to open and RP Singh to bowl first.

An explosive start to the innings from Pune courtesy of Du Plessis and Pietersen, but they lost their way somewhat towards the latter stages before Dhoni's powerful finish.

200+ looked like a very achievable score at one point, so credit to the Lions for restricting them to 163 and giving themselves a fighting chance. Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 2-18.

20th over - Rising Pune Supergiants 163-5

Dhoni edges Bravo past third man for a fortunate boundary. His eagerness to get back on strike nearly leads to the unaware Bhatia being run out. The captain wants late runs and picks up two more before thumping over long-on for six.

He races through for another risky two and lackluster keeping from Karthik keeps him alive. An expensive over to end the innings as Dhoni then opens the bat for four. He finishes on 22* from 10 deliveries.

19th over - Rising Pune Supergiants 143-5

Marsh is dismissed for a frustrating seven. He went out swinging but was deceived by a lower ball that hit middle stump. Bhatia comes in to partner Dhoni.

2-18 for Jadeja.

Wicket - Marsh (7) b Jadeja (Rising Pune Supergiants 143-5)

18th over - Rising Pune Supergiants - 141-4

Another mediocre over for Pune, with Dhoni adding a single and Marsh labouring for four.

17th over - Rising Pune Supergiants - 136-4

A brilliant over from Jadeja, removing Smith and giving up just two runs to new man Marsh and a leg bye. This has been an encouraging fightback from the Lions.

A disappointing outing for Smith, who picks out compatriot Faulkner at cover. He goes for five and this Pune innings is grinding to a halt.

Wicket - Smith (5) c Faulkner b Jadeja (Rising Pune Supergiants 134-4)

16th over - Rising Pune Supergiants - 134-3

After adding to his total with a four and a six in consecutive balls, an outstanding innings from Du Plessis finally ends as he attempts to fire Tambe down the ground but fails to connect and is swiftly stumped by Karthik. Captain Dhoni comes in and both he and Smith notch singles.

Wicket - Du Plessis (69) st Karthik b Tambe (Rising Pune Supergiants 132-3)

15th over - Rising Pune Supergiants 121-2

The Lions spurn two glorious chances to remove Smith early as he comes back for an ill-advised second but survives on the slide after a poor throw from Jakati in the field. The incident is repeated shortly afterwards as wicket-keeper Karthik fails to reel it in. That could prove costly.

14th over - Rising Pune Supergiants - 113-2

A far better over from Bravo, who was hit for 16 in his first but succeeds in fooling both Du Plessis and Pietersen before removing the latter with a slower ball that takes a thick bottom edge and crashes into the stumps.

Australia skipper Smith joins Du Plessis at the crease.

Wicket - Pietersen (37) b Bravo (Rising Pune Supergiants 113-2)

Another time-out is called. Still just the one wicket taken by Gujarat, who have barely come close to ending this partnership. Du Plessis is leading the way and he is being ably supported by Pietersen.

Bravo and Faulkner still have three overs each to bowl.

13th over - Rising Pune Supergiants 111-1

Pietersen takes a single to mid-wicket before sensibly sending Du Plessis back instead of risking a second. The latter then thunders a straight shot down the ground for four and picks up another single.

Pietersen fails to take advantage of a dodgy full toss, but it matters little as Du Plessis goes beyond 50 with a fine strike through extra cover for four.

12th over - Rising Pune Supergiants 100-1

Faulkner's first ball is guided beyond third man for four by Pietersen. The ex-England man takes a further single and the 100 is up before Raina comes close to removing him with an attempted diving catch low to his right. A dot ball brings the over to a close.

Here comes Faulkner for Gujarat.

11th over - Rising Pune Supergiants 93-1

More useful fielding from the nimble Faulkner saves a boundary. Du Plessis finds Bravo for a single at long-off and Pietersen adds one of his own before his partner undercooks a full toss.

10th over - Rising Pune Supergiants 87-1

We are back underway and Du Plessis drives to Raina. He takes a quick single and Pietersen does likewise through long-on. Three more follow and that's five for the over in total.

Ninth over - Rising Pune Supergiants 82-1

Three more for Pietersen, who is denied a boundary by some excellent fielding from McCullum at point. Du Plessis also works Jadeja for a treble and we will now have a strategic time-out.

The Lions need to find a way to disrupt this partnership, which is ticking along very nicely indeed.

Eighth over - Rising Pune Supergiants 76-1

Regular runs on offer here as Du Plessis and Pietersen work six between them before the former beats Raina at extra cover with a lovely back foot drive.

Seventh over - Rising Pune Supergiants - 77-1

Du Plessis is in the mood now and he shuffles down the pitch before sending a flat delivery over the rope for six. RPS are scoring at a good pace during the first half of their innings.

Could they be on for 200+?

The powerplay is now over and slow left-armer Jadeja joins the Lions' attack.

Sixth over - Rising Pune Supergiants 57-1

That wasn't so champion from Bravo as his opening delivery is pulled away for six over square leg by Pietersen. Three singles keep the scoreboard ticking over and Du Plessis then registers his second maximum by smashing over long-off.

Strong running brings up another single. 16 in total from Bravo's first over.

Bravo comes in to bowl for the first time tonight.

Fifth over - Rising Pune Supergiants 41-1

Pietersen adds another single before Du Plessis hits the first six of the innings by launching Jakati over long-on. A run-out appeal is rightly dismissed and a leg bye is awarded instead. Pietersen then hits past Faulkner for four and takes another quick one.

Fourth over - Rising Pune Supergiants 28-1

Pietersen arrives at the crease and gets off the mark with a quick single down the ground.

Rahane is shackled by back-to-back dot balls but shows his quality by coming down the pitch and lofting past mid-on for four. A dreadful ball then looks to lull him into a false sense of security before the bowler deceives him with a quicker delivery that gets through and hits him on the pad. Clear lbw.

Wicket - Rahane (21) lbw b Tambe (Rising Pune Supergiants 27-1)

Experienced leg-spinner Tambe comes into the attack.

Third over - Rising Pune Supergiants 23-0

A solid start to Kumar's second over as he restricts Rahane to just one run. He then throws his hands up in frustration when Du Plessis finds the fence past deep extra-cover for four. Another single apiece makes it seven in total from the over.

Second over - Rising Pune Supergiants 16-0

Both men take a single, although Du Plessis probably could have come back for two on the second occasion. Rahane then makes his mark with consecutive fours, striking straight down the ground first before a short ball is comfortably dispatched over deep mid-wicket.

He ends with another single.

Jakati comes in to bowl his first over of the 2016 IPL campaign.

First over - Rising Pune Supergiants 5-0

After an initial dot ball, Rahane drives off the back foot to get underway with a boundary. He also edges to third man for a single. On strike, Du Plessis is pinned back and then picks out Raina before striking down the pitch for no runs. Five from the over.

Du Plessis and Rahane are at the crease and will open the batting for Pune. Raina decides that Praveen Kumar shall bowl first.

You are only permitted to field four overseas players in the IPL. For the Lions, that quartet today is Finch, former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, Bravo and James Faulkner. Pune opt for Du Plessis, Pietersen, Steve Smith and Marsh.

The Lions, meanwhile, draft in Pravin Tambe, left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati and Akshdeep Nath.

The Supergiants are unchanged from their superb victory over Mumbai.

The captains are out in the middle. Dhoni calls heads and wins the toss before electing to bat first.

The Supergiants began the year in similarly impressive style, thrashing the defending champion Mumbai Indians by nine wickets with 32 balls remaining in Saturday's curtain-raiser.

Ishant Sharma and Mitchell Marsh each took two wickets to restrict Ricky Ponting's men to just 121, while Rajat Bhatia, Ravichandran Ashwin, Murugan Ashwin and RP Singh also impressed.

In reply, opener Ajinkya Rahane scored 66* and South Africa's Faf du Plessis added 34 before being bowled by Harbajan Singh. Kevin Pietersen helped to see them over the line with 21 from 14 deliveries.

Both of these franchises are temporary new additions to the IPL, having been introduced this season to replace Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals after the latter duo were suspended for two years in July 2015 following a corruption scandal.

Led by coach Brad Hodge and captain Suresh Raina, the Lions began their journey on Monday with a five-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. Man of the match Aaron Finch hit an unbeaten 74 and Dinesh Karthik added a 26-ball 41 to successfully chase down a winning score of 162.

World Cup winner Dwayne Bravo starred with the ball, becoming the first man to take more than 300 T20 wickets with impressive figures of 4/22 from his four overs. Ravindra Jadeja took 2/30 as KXIP were restricted to 161-6.

Good afternoon and welcome to IBTimes UK's latest live coverage of the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL), where two new franchises collide in game six as Gujarat Lions welcome MS Dhoni's Rising Pune Supergiants to the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

Stay tuned for a match preview and team news. We'll also bring you the toss as it happens before providing over-by-over updates throughout the afternoon. The action is due to get underway at 20.00 IST (15.30 BST)...