Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) vs Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), IPL 2017, Match 55 preview and likely XI: Both teams seek playoff berth
Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) vs Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), IPL 2017, Match 55 preview and likely XI: Both teams seek playoff berth
In what can be called the virtual decider for the final team in the playoffs of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017, Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) will take on Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in match 55 on Sunday.
Written by Paulami Chakraborty Published: May 14, 2017, 01:23 PM (IST) Edited: May 14, 2017, 02:23 PM (IST)
Though RPS did not have the start they might have wanted, they pulled up their socks at the right time and put up commendable performances to stay in contention for play-offs. One player who has been exceptional with his batting for RPS is Rahul Tripathi. The youngster has emerged as the team’s most dependable opening option and has matched up to the level of experienced Ajinkya Rahane. Skipper Steven Smith is in very good form. The batting line-up boasts of names like MS Dhoni, Ben Stokes and Manoj Tiwary – all of whom have contributed with big knocks from time to time to help RPS collect necessary points.
Team’s pace attack looks relatively inexperienced. Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur and Ben Stokes will have to make full use of their understanding of the game and experience. However, they will need a good spin attack to combat KXIP at home. Rahul Chahar can be brought in place of Washington Sundar alongside Adam Zampa to strengthen the spin attack.
KXIP’s batting line-up, too, is filled with in-form stars. Martin Guptill, Wriddhiman Saha, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh sit at the top to make it strong but the middle order, thus, becomes relatively inexperienced with names like Akshar Patel and Manan Vohra taking the charge.
Sandeep Sharma has been the star performer among the bowlers for KXIP. In the pace attack, Maxwell will also find options in Matt Henry and Mohit Sharma while Ishant Sharma might have to make place for T Natarajan. Akshar will lead KXIP’s spin attack while either of Rahul Tewatia or Swapnil Singh will be the second spinner. Tewatia is likely to get the nod after his impressive performances of late.
Likely XI:
Rising Pune Supergiant: Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Steven Smith (c), Manoj Tiwary, MS Dhoni Ben Stokes, Dan Christian, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa
Kings XI Punjab: Martin Guptill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Glenn Maxwell (c), Shaun Marsh, Akshar Patel, Manan Vohra, Rahul Tewatia/ Swapnil Singh, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan, Matt Henry
Story so far: RPS, who are at No. 4 position, will go to No. 2 if they win. If they lose, KXIP will qualify for the play-offs at No. 4 position. If the match does not bear any result, RPS will qualify at No. 3 position and KXIP will dart out.
Advantage: RPS will surely have the home-side advantage, but the void created by Imran Tahir’s absence is sure to affect their performance in favourable conditions. KXIP will have the confidence of coming after a victory as well as an unaltered spin-attack.
Rising Pune Supergiant: MS Dhoni (wk), Steven Smith (c), Mayank Agarwal, Baba Aparajith, Ankush Bains, Ankit Sharma, Rajat Bhatia, Deepak Chahar, Daniel Christian, Rahul Chahar, Ashok Dinda, Lockie Ferguson, Usman Khawaja, Jaskaran Singh, Saurabh Kumar, Ben Stokes, Milind Tondon, Manoj Tiwary, Jaydev Unadkat, Adam Zampa
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