Delhi Daredevils vs Rising Pune Supergiant, IPL 2017, match 52, preview and likely XI: Steven Smith and co. strive hard to qualify for playoffs

This is a must win game for RPS BCCI

Kings XI Punjab's (KXIP) last-over win against Mumbai Indians (MI) keep the three spots for playoffs open in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. However, if KXIP lose their last contest against Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), three teams Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and RPS themselves will join MI in the penultimate stage. That said, it is imperative that RPS edge out Delhi Daredevils (DD) in match 52 at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. If they win, they will confirm a berth. If they lose, it all depends on SRH and especially KXIP. If anything, your weekend will only get better. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD, Delhi Daredevils vs Rising Pune Supergiant - Match 52

Face to face

Before this season, RPS had maintained a clean sheet against DD. However, Sanju Samson's flamboyant hundred turned the tables and DD registered their first win over RPS.

In this season

Samson's innings was so staggering that the second highest score was Chris Morris' 38. In reply, RPS managed a meagre 108 all-out, handing DD a massive 97-run win.

Players to watch out for

Ajinkya Rahane has hit 6 half-centuries against DD in 14 innings. In addition, DD have dismissed him in the powerplay only once. However, Rahane has been off colour this summer. He has managed only 248 runs at 20.66.

Zaheer Khan and Amit Mishra had picked up a 3-wicket haul each in the previous contest between these teams. Playing their last contest at home ground, the stalwarts will look to emulate the same.

This may as well be Ben Stokes' last match in this season. Andrew Strauss, ECB's Director of Cricket, said that Stokes, along with Englishmen Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler, will have to join the team's training camp in Spain on May 15. That said, Stokes has had a stellar season, scoring 283 runs at 31.44 and taking 10 wickets with an economy of 7.4. Above all, his stunning 103* will remain the highlight of his stint in IPL 10.

Shreyas was DD's hero in their previous contest. The Mumbaikar peppered 17 boundaries to lace 96 off 57 to thump Gujarat Lions by 2 wickets in a quest of a colossal 196.

Key battles

Smith has had a good time against Shahbaz Nadeem, swatting 32 runs off 9 balls. On the other hand, he has been lacklustre against leg-spinner Mishra. Of 25 deliveries, Smith could accumulate only 18 runs.

Rahul Tripathi has been in an ominous touch of late. He is RPS' second highest run-scorer, only behind Steven Smith. He will be pitted against the warhorse Zaheer and Mohammed Shami.

Though Rishabh Pant has displayed hot and cold performances, he will look to have a go at every bowler he faces.

Team composition

DD, by all means, would not tinker with their playing XI they had boasted of against Gujarat Lions in a last-over thriller. Given Chris Morris, Angelo Mathews, and Kagiso Rabada had left to prepare for ICC Champions Trophy 2017, West Indies' Marlon Samuels and Carlos Brathwaite got a nod.

Likely XI for Delhi Daredevils: Sanju Samson (c), Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Marlon Samuels, Corey Anderson, Carlos Brathwaite, Patt Cummins, Mohammed Shami, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan

RPS have been playing with the same batting line-up for the past few matches. On the other hand, they could not concrete their bowling arsenal. Thanks to Jaydev Unadkat that he registered his maiden hat-trick in IPL and provided much-needed confidence to his captain. Let us have a look who will partner him in the pace department.

Likely XI for Rising Pune Supergiant: Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Steven Smith (c), Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni (wk), Dan Christian, Manoj Tiwary, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Imran Tahir

Predictions

RPS will leave no stone unturned to avenge the loss as well as seal a berth for the much hyped playoffs, while DD will play for pride and make sure they do not end up at the bottom of the points table.

On six occasions we have seen a total in excess of 180 has been scored at the venue. As a result, a high-scoring contest is on the cards.

Squads

Delhi Daredevils: Zaheer Khan (c), Mohammed Shami, Shahbaz Nadeem, Mayank Agarwal, Jayant Yadav, Amit Mishra, Sam Billings (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Chris Morris, Carlos Brathwaite, Karun Nair, Chama Milind, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Pratyush Singh, Aditya Tare (wk), Ankit Bawne, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Navdeep Saini, Murugan Ashwin, Shashank Singh, Corey Anderson, Rishabh Pant (wk)

Rising Pune Supergiant: Steven Smith (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Manoj Tiwary, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Dinda, Rajat Bhatia, Mayank Agarwal, Ben Stokes, Imran Tahir, Deepak Chahar, Adam Zampa, Daniel Christian, Jaydev Unadkat, Usman Khawaja, Ankit Sharma, Faf du Plessis, Baba Aparajith, Ishwar Pandey, Shardul Thakur, Rahul Tripathi, Ankush Bains, Saurabh Kumar, Lockie Ferguson, Jaskaran Singh, Milind Tandon, Rahul Chahar

TIME: 14.30 GMT | 20.00 IST