IPL 10, Match 52, DD v RPS: Rising Pune Supergiant Predicted XI

RPS is a win away from qualifying for the playoffs.

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Rising Pune Supergiant
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Rising Pune Supergiant celebrate fall of a wicket. (Photo: IANS)

The tables have turned on the Rising Pune Supergiant, in a positive sense though, who find themselves at the gates of the all-important playoffs. Following a disappointing season last year, few expected this edition of the IPL to go in favour of the Rising Pune Supergiant. Flogged by injuries ruling out their topliner Ravi Ashwin and Aussie all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, the Rising Pune Supergiant looked a depleted side before the tournament itself.

RPS have however braved through the injuries and bout of controversies surrounding the captaincy being snatched away from MS Dhoni. As things stand, the Rising Pune Supergiant have a chance to climb to the top two, allowing them two cracks at the grand finale. Up against them in the first of two crucial games are the Delhi Daredevils, who clinched a thrilling victory against the Gujarat Lions.

In spite of being knocked out of the tournament, Delhi will play for pride and will back themselves to play party-poopers in the games that remain. The Rising Pune Supergiant will miss the services of their ace leggie Imran Tahir. Nonetheless, this is a team who have played some fabulous cricket over the past few weeks and have what it takes to storm into the playoffs. Here’s a look at CricTracker’s predicted XI for the Rising Pune Supergiant as they clash against the Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Openers (Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi)

On one end, Pune have found a class act in Rahul Tripathi, a name that has suddenly cropped up in the cricketing fraternity thanks to the IPL. The fearless batsman that Tripathi is, is best showcased when he is up against the seamers. Tripathi seems to thrive on pace, and takes no half measures in dismissing the ball from his presence. Whether it is his elegant ground strokes that race away to the boundary or his audacious sixes that leave bowlers perplexed, Rahul Tripathi has every shot in the book.

Promoted to open by Pune, he has struck seven thirty-plus scores in this IPL so far, including a stellar 93 off 52 against the Kolkata Knight Riders – of which 78 runs came through boundaries. Tripathi was unlucky to have been run out for just 1 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, but with the knock-out stage fast approaching, RPS can count on this young man to deliver some power-packed performances.

At the other end stands a slightly crestfallen Ajinkya Rahane, who hasn’t had the sort of IPL his tag suggests. Having opened the batting for the Rising Pune Supergiant, Rahane has failed the make a lasting impression to the team’s success. In 12 matches, he’s managed just under 250 runs. The big knocks have eluded Rahane, who is still in search of a fifty this season. Despite getting off to starts, Ajinkya Rahane has been unable to take his innings forward on numerous occasions. However, with the BCCI having put their trust in his skills by picking him for the Champions Trophy, a 50+ score will be timely for the little man from Mumbai.

Middle order (Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni, Manoj Tiwary)

In Steve Smith, the Rising Pune Supergiant not only have a proactive captain, but also a rock-solid batsman. Nevertheless, for a man who sets himself such high standards, Smith hasn’t had the kind of tournament he would have liked with the bat. His last innings of 34 came at a sub-100 strike rate, and Smith’s last 50 came against the Knight Riders in their first of two clashes. The Champions Trophy round the corner will call for an inspired performance from Australia’s captain, who will seek to carry his IPL momentum into the mega-event in the UK.

Million dollar man Ben Stokes has taken the IPL by storm. His contributions with both bat and ball have changed the complexion of the RPS setup. Most recently, Stokes’ brilliant spell of 3-30 was instrumental in his side defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad. His unbeaten 103 against the Gujarat Lions stands tall above many, if not all IPL knocks this season. Unfortunately for the Rising Pune Supergiant, he will not be available for the playoffs, if the side does qualify.

Both MS Dhoni and Manoj Tiwary have just the one big knock to show for in this season of the IPL. While Dhoni’s brilliant 61 not out took Pune over the finish line in a gripping chase against SRH at the MCA Stadium, Tiwary played a couple of handy knocks lower down the order. Dhoni though looked in no mood for defensive games in his 21-ball 31 against the Sunrisers in the last match. However, both batsmen have had their lows this season, unable to make sizable contributions to the team total. In their defence, they haven’t had much time out in the middle. Situations have compelled them to fire right from the word go.

All-rounders (Dan Christian, Washington Sundar)

Dan Christian’s job has been to swing at a few lower down the order. When he connects, the ball is bound to land in the stands, as Christian is one powerful bloke. The Australian, however, has been more impressive with the ball, chipping in with wickets on a regular basis. The all-rounder hasn’t gone for more than 31 runs in a game, and has bagged 6 wickets.

Filling in the big shoes of fellow Tamil Nadu player Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar has done a mighty good job. Although he hasn’t always been amongst the wickets, his spells have been economical and probing. He finished with brilliant figures of 2-18 against a dominant KKR batting line-up. Washington Sundar is certainly one of India’s next gen-stars who will have a major role to play for RPS following Imran Tahir’s unavailability.

Bowlers (Shardul Thakur, Adam Zampa, Jaydev Unadkat)

In the bowling department, the Rising Pune Supergiant have discovered a dormant star in Jaydev Unadkat, who bowled a fabulous last over to take his side to victory against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. A hat-trick, a five-for, and the milestone of 100 T20 wickets, Unadkat hit three birds with the one final over of his. In general, the left-arm bowler has been hard to face because of his clever change-ups in pace. Possessing a home-grown pace attack, RPS will hope that Jaydev Unadkat leads from the front.

On the other hand, Shardul Thakur has impressed with his pace and swing, but has gone wicketless more often than not. Following his 3-35 against RCB, Thakur has bagged just the one wicket. However, Thakur is an aggressive quick bowler, who can swing the ball away from the right hander, all while hitting the deck hard.

Imran Tahir’s departure should open up a chance for Adam Zampa to don the purple jersey once again. The Australian has had only two games in this season so far, and will look to make a mark for himself in the final stages of the tournament. Zampa has been impressive with his loopy leg-spinners, which tend to draw batsmen out of the crease.

On the brink of a spot in the playoffs, the Rising Pune Supergiant will be high on confidence following a couple of clinical performances. The onus will be on the bowlers to restrict a top heavy Delhi Daredevils side. Meanwhile, their top order batsmen will keep the focus on spending as much time out in the middle as possible. Delhi is sure to host an interesting game of cricket, as the home team can still spoil’s Pune’s party.

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