Skipper Steve Smith (84 not out – 7×4, 3×6) took centre stage and led from the front to help Rising Pune Supergiant to an opening victory in the IPL.

The Australian star batted superbly under lights and was aptly supported by Indian opener Ajinkya Rahane (60- 6×4, 3×6) in a second-wicket stand worth 58.

Pune required 13 of the last over of the match to win, and after snatching three singles off the first three deliveries, Smith took control and finished the match with two huge hits as RPS won by seven wickets.

Earlier, Mumbai Indians, after being put into bat, got off to a flier.

England star Jos Buttler (38 from 19 balls) top scored for the Indians but it was Imran Tahir (3-28) who wrecked havoc in the away side’s batting line-up.

The leggie claimed the prized scalps of both Buttler and Rohit Sharma, before a late splurge from Kieron Pollard (27) and Hardik Pandya (35) helped to boost the total.

However, Ben Stokes was the man to get rid of dangerman Pollard.

Ashoke Dinda’s final over cost 30 runs but it didn’t prove to hurt Pune in the end.