Rising Pune Supergiant v Mumbai Indians: Player of the Match

After a fascinating outing with the bat in the just concluded Test series against India, Smith started off his Indian Premier League campaign in a style.

Steve Smith led from the front for Rising Pune Supergiant with a 54-ball 84.

Has Steven Smith mastered the art of finishing? Looks like!

The Australian skipper, who seems to have found his mojo in Indian wickets, has perhaps decided to scale new heights every now and then. After a fascinating outing with the bat in the just concluded Test series against India, Smith started off his Indian Premier League campaign in a style.

Slamming an unbeaten 84 off 54 deliveries, the captain led from the front to guide his team to victory in a thriller. Requiring 13 runs in the final over, Smith got into the act along with Mahendra Singh Dhoni — the former Pune skipper. While Dhoni, known as a finisher, looked pale, Smith ensured that he finished it off in style — that too by picking up two sixes off Kieron Pollard. While the erstwhile captain smiled at the Australian, he looked calm and quiet, as if the war has just begun.

Well, those knowing Smith in the dressing room would agree that the young Aussie doesn’t express his emotions too often.

Not even in happier times.