IPL 10, Match 55, RPS v KXIP – Rising Pune Supergiant Player Ratings

It was a horrendous showing by Kings XI Punjab in the penultimate group game of IPL 10 as they went down to Rising Pune Supergiant by 9 wickets and with to bow out of the tournament. It was a must-win clash for both the teams and a victory would have helped either of the teams to qualify for the playoffs. It was an exceptional bowling performance by RPS as they skittled out the visitors for a meagre 73 runs in 15.5 overs.

It was the brilliance of Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat in the pace department which provided the hosts with early wickets. In the middle overs leggie, Adam Zampa also bowled well and bagged a couple of wickets. He eventually finished with 2/22 while his countrymen also bagged two wickets during the fag end of the innings.

Pune chased the total down with utmost ease as Ajinkya Rahane and captain Smith coasted home with overs to spare. The victory also ensures Pune finish at the 2nd position and will meet Mumbai Indians in the 1st Qualifier on 16th May at the Wankhede Stadium. So that said here we have a look at the match ratings for the winning team

Ajinkya Rahane- 6/10

Rahane got back to some run-scoring form and made his way to a composed 34 in pursuit of a very small chase. It was the ideal opportunity for Rahane to get some runs under his belt as he has been going through a horrendous run in this competition so far. He struck a solitary four and finished off the match with a big six as Pune chased down the total with 8 overs to spare.

Rahul Tripathi- 6/10

The youngster, as usual, looked in ominous touch from the outset and carried on from where he left the other day. He smashed 4 fours and a six during his 28 of 20 balls and got his team off to a breezy start. He was eventually dismissed by left-arm tweaker Axar Patel as he went for big shots. He attempted a paddle over the fine leg fielder but he missed it completely and it disturbed the timbers.

Steve Smith- 6/10

He didn’t have much to do in the batting department but led his troops very well. He made the bowling changes in the right time and his bowlers didn’t disappoint him. He remained unbeaten on 7 as Rahane struck a six to finish off proceedings.

Manoj Tiwary- 3/10

Despite being part of the playing XI he hardly did anything apart from taking a catch and that is why one extra point is awarded to him. He had a good run in the tournament so far and will look to replicate his performance in the playoffs.

MS Dhoni- 6/10

He was a livewire behind the stumps and plucked 3 catches during Punjab’s innings. Despite Smith being the captain, we saw Dhoni regularly going up to Adam Zampa and having a chat with him. Though he didn’t bat but his expert advice is obviously helping Steve Smith and he will continue to take tips from him in the playoffs.

Dan Christian- 7.5/10

The Aussie all-rounder bagged the crucial wickets of Wriddhiman Saha and Axar Patel when the duo was looking set to build a partnership. Saha tried to guide the ball past MS Dhoni but the edge was too fine to his liking and the former Indian and RPS captain completed the catch. His last wicket was the prized one of Axar who was only batsman to go beyond the 20 runs mark. He wasn’t required to bat as RPS romped home by 9 wickets.

Washington Sundar- 2/10

The teenager neither bowled nor batted and was hardly seen in the field. So mandatory two marks for the 17-year-old offie.

Shardul Thakur- 9/10

The Mumbai pacer finally got his rhythm back and finished with 3 wickets for the first time in this tournament. He went for a couple of boundaries before he removed Shaun Marsh with a short of length delivery. The southpaw failed to time it and gave away a simple catch to the mid-off fielder.

He followed it up with crucial wickets of Rahul Tewatia and captain Glenn Maxwell to push them to a corner. Maxwell was simply baffled to have attempted the stroke as he was holed out straight in the deep mid-wicket region by Ajinkya Rahane.

Jaydev Unadkat- 9/10

The left-arm seamer continued his good show with the ball and also plucked a sensational catch in the field. He began with the wicket of Martin Guptill in the very first delivery of the match as he was holed out in the short extra cover region by Manoj Tiwary.

He also affected a run out and grabbed a sensational catch while fielding. He came back strongly in his final spell and scalped the wicket of Swapnil Singh. He eventually finished with impressive figures of 2/12 in 3 overs.

Adam Zampa- 6/10

The leg-spinner who made a return in the XI after Imran Tahir flew back home for national commitments made his presence felt and finished with a couple of wickets in his spell. The wickets were those of Mohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma as the fast bowling duo was dismissed in successive deliveries.