Published: May 14, 2017, 06:33 PM (IST)
Edited: May 14, 2017, 06:52 PM (IST)
Chasing just 74 runs to win Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) got off to a quick start with their openers churning runs with ease against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in match no.55 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. Rahul Tripathi and Ajinkya Rahane were in no mood to give an inch to the Kings XI Punjab bowling adding a quick fire 41-run stand for the first wicket. Rising Pune Supergiant without much fuss notched up a win by 9 wickets and thus qualified for the playoffs at No.2 in the table. This win means they now will face Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Qualifier 1 of the IPL 10 at Wankhede. Full Cricket Scorecard: Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) vs Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), IPL 2017, Match 55 at Pune
Tripathi and Rahane started slowly early on but soon found their mojo in the middle. Tripathi, who so far has been the find of IPL 2017 took just one ball to get into his devastating best. Tripathi in particular found a liking to Ishant Sharma, craving him for couple of cracking fours in his first over. He then smacked Rahul Tewatia for a massive six over deep mid wicket to make his intentions clear. Amidst all the carnage from one end Rahane eased himself into form before an important ICC Champions Trophy 2017 for India.
Kings XI Punjab did manage to halt Tripathi in the 20s after he was bowled by Akshar Patel. Tripahti made a mess of the shot and got himself bowled behind the legs for 20-ball 28. As usual Steven Smith came in at No.3 with RPS needing just 33 runs to win. Smith (15*) along with Rahane (34*) mustered on with losing any wicket and brought up an easy victory by 9 wickets.
Earlier in the day, winning the toss Smith put Kings XI Punjab into bat. Kings XI Punjab batting was in complete shambles all throughout the innings with hardly anyone applying themselves in the middle. For Rising Pune Supergiant , Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur inflicted havoc early in the innings nabbing 5 wickets with 32 runs on the board for Kings XI Punjab.
Punjab’s strength has always been their intentional batting recruit and without Hashim Amla much depended on Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh Glenn Maxwell and Eoin Morgan to build their innings. But sadly for them did not happen with all four contributing just 14 runs with Guptill and Maxwell getting out for nought. It was only Akshar Patel, who stood up against RPS’ onslaught and managed 20 runs for his side.
Brief scores:
Kings XI Punjab 73 all out in 15.5 overs (Akshar Patel 22, Wriddhiman Saha 13; Shardul Thakur 3 for 19) lost to Rising Pune Supergiant 78 for 1 in 12 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 34* , Rahul Tripathi 28; Akshar Patel 1 for ) by 9 wickets.
