Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) vs Royal Challengers (RCB), IPL 2016, Match 16 at Pune: Likely XI for MS Dhoni and Co

MS Dhoni-led Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) are under immense pressure after losing two consecutive matches in IPL 2016. Although they began their campaign in style by thrashing the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the tournament opener, Pune have failed to repeat that match-winning show. Pune lost to Gujarat Lions before losing to Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and that win happened to be Punjab’s first win of the season. The likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Faf du Plessis, Kevin Pietersen and others have managed to keep RPS’ batting line-up at the top. It is their bowling that has let them down. RPS failed to defend the totals of 163 and 152 despite having quality bowlers in Irfan Pathan, Ravichadran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma and Murugan Ashwin. Ahead of their crucial fixture against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), here is the likely XI of RPS: FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Rising Pune Supergiants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2016, Match 16 at Pune

Top-Order: Du Plessis has scored two consecutive half-centuries and a 34 in the three matches he has played so far in this edition of IPL 2016. Rahane has been giving him a superb support with the bat on the other end and the duo together have managed to give RPS the required push in the three matches and RPS will expect them to continue to do so when they face RCB on Friday. Pietersen has justified his role at the crucial No. 3 spot with scores of 21*, 37 and 15 in the past three innings. Although he did not last at the crease for a long time in the previous match against KXIP, his other two knocks were at a decent strike-rate and RPS would definitely want an experienced player to take charge, just incase the opening pair face flack.

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Middle-Order: RPS’ middle-order consists of tons of experience in international skippers, Dhoni and Steven Smith. While they did not get a chance to bat in the first match, Dhoni delivered in the second game and Smith in the third. Nevertheless, RPS need them to strike together in order to put a huge total on board, especially when their bowling has not been upto the mark. If RPS are asked to chase, their form will play a crucial role that will have to ensure RPS crosses the line successfully.

Lower-Order & Bowling: Surprisingly, RPS’ bowling attack has been led by a new face, Murugan Ashwin. It is his debut season of IPL and after 14 matches he is the joint second highest wicket-taker along with Gujarat Lions’ Dwayne Bravo with six wickets in three matches at an economy of 6.91. Dhoni’s most trusted bowler, Ravichandran Ashwin has miserably failed in the three games he has played, picking only one scalp. Ishant Sharma on the other hand has three wickets and will have to step up to lead their attack. Dhoni might gamble with the fourth choice of overseas player since Mitchell Marsh and Thisera Perera, failing in their respective chances. Albie Morkel who has played under Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might get his first game in IPL 9.

Rising Pune Supergiants’ likely XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Faf du Plessis, Kevin Pietersen, Mitchell Marsh/Albie Morkel, Steven Smith, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Ankit Sharma, Murugan Ashwin

(Sakshi Gupta, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a sports fanatic whose mantra in life is “do only what you enjoy.” Her Twitter handle is @sakshi2929)