IPL 10, Match 55, RPS v KXIP – 5 Game Changing Moments

There was a lot of talk regarding the much-hyped quarter-final like fixture between Rising Pune Supergiant and Kings XI Punjab. The winner of today’s match was supposed to qualify for the playoffs and it promised to be a cracker of a match.

However, it turned out to be an absolute anti-climax as Kings XI Punjab were bundled out in under 16 overs and could only manage a paltry score of 73 runs as a target for the RPS side to guarantee themselves a berth into the playoffs. The RPS batsmen were able to chase down the total with utmost ease as they powered back into the second position of the points table.

Jaydev Unadkat was adjudged as the man of the match for his incredible spell of bowling. In the end, it was a one-sided contest at Pune as the home side defeated the visitors by 9 wickets and eight overs to spare. Let us go through the game changing moments in the penultimate match of the round-robin league.

1. Kings XI Punjab powerplay

Much was expected out of the Kings XI Punjab batsman but they all crumbled under pressure as the team was reduced to 32-5, with all their main batsman back in the pavilion. The innings started off on the wrong foot for Preity Zinta’s side as they lost the first wicket in the first ball of the match. Punjab lost all their star players namely, Martin Guptill, Eoin Morgan, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell within the powerplays.

2. The royal Kings XI collapse 

After losing half their side within the powerplays, it was only a matter of time before Rising Pune Supergiant completed the formality of picking up the remaining wickets. The team could only manage 73 runs as RPS bowlers wrapped up the innings within 16 overs. On the given day when the team required a good show with the bat, the team absolutely succumbed under pressure.

3. Unplayable Supergiant bowling 

Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat had been unplayable at times as they picked up five wickets amongst each other to dismantle the batting line up of the Punjab line-up. Adam Zampa and Dan Christian enjoyed the spoils as they picked up a couple of wickets each. All the bowlers did their job perfectly as they gave nothing away for the batsmen.

4. RPS electric fielding 

Rising Pune Supergiant backed their bowlers with outstanding fielding. They saved every run possible in the deep as well as within the ring. They held on to all their catches and even took some unbelievable ones. Jaydev Unadkat and Manoj Tiwary took the catches of the match. Apart from effecting a run-out, overall the RPS side took nine catches today. Credit must go to the batsmen as well for taking way too many risks, playing aerial shots.

5. Tripathi and Rahane complete the formalities  

The opening combination from Rising Pune Supergiant did not allow the Punjab bowlers a sniff at the exposing their batsmen in the hut as they knocked off the total with ease and eight overs to spare. Rahul Tripathy scored a 20-ball 28, as he hit four boundaries and one maximum. Rahane made a run-a-ball 34 and finished the game off with a six.