IPL 2017: Knight Riders v Rising pune Supergiant, Game 41– Match Result Predictions

Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to get their IPL 10 campaign back on track when they meet the in-form team Rising Pune Supergiant tomorrow at the Eden Gardens. Though KKR is likely to start as favourites, RPS will be a tough nut to crack given their form of late. They have won some close games and with 6 wins under their belt, RPS are well on their way to the playoffs.

Kolkata, on the other hand, was beaten comprehensively in the previous encounter the Sunrisers Hyderabad as David Warner took their bowling attack to the cleaners. But still KKR are placed 2nd in the points table and has more or less sealed their playoffs berth but they will definitely like to finish at No. 1 or 2 which will give them an additional chance to qualify for the final.

They have been utterly ruthless in their approach barring a game or two and has excelled in all 3 departments. Especially in the game against Bangalore despite a below par batting performance, the bowlers stood up and skittled out RCB for the lowest ever IPL score of 49. Nathan Coulter-Nile has been terrific up front and has been backed well by Chirs Woakes.

The spin department also looks settled with Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav in their ranks. Umesh Yadav has also been brilliant but at times has leaked runs. Chris Lynn will be eyeing a comeback against Kings XI Punjab on 9^th May but till then Sunil Narine is expected to continue his vigil up the order with Gambhir. Meanwhile, the RPS camp will be very happy with their recent rise to the top 4. They have played some exceptional cricket and have excelled in all 3 departments.

Ben Stokes proved that the 14.5 crores paid to him during the auctions were justified as he smashed a sensational century which helped RPS clinch a nail-biting thriller against the Gujarat Lions. Imran Tahir has been in rich vein of form and has bagged wickets on a consistent basis. Even in the previous match, he finished with 3 wickets to his kitty. Lockie Ferguson was unlucky to miss out in the previous match despite a match-winning performance in the earlier game. Now with more than 15 hours to go for the 41^st match of the competition to commence let us have a look at the match predictions

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: KKR will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KKR will choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 165-175

2nd innings Prediction: KKR will win by 5 wickets (with 4 balls to spare)

Scenario 2: RPS will win the toss

Toss Prediction: RPS choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 185-195

2nd innings Prediction: KKR will win by 8-10 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –3, KKR Won – 3, RPS Won – 7

KKR have a clear edge over RPS on the head to head department winning 3 out of 3. In the first encounter this season, a brilliant 158 runs partnership between Gambhir and Robin Uthappa ensured they chased a stiff target down with utmost ease.

Team Combination

Kolkata Knight Riders

Gambhir loves backing his players and despite a loss the other day, KKR is expected to retain the same XI. Shakib Al Hasan’s exclusion from the playing XI has raised questions and he might make a comeback in place of Colin de Grandhomme but it is still an unlikely prospect.

Predicted XI: Sunil Narine, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Sheldon Jackson, Colin de Grandhomme, Chris Woakes, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav

Rising Pune Supergiant

RPS camp is highly unlikely to tinker with their winning combination after some impressive showings in the last 3 games. Ben Stokes’ fitness was a question but he put that to rest with an audacious innings in the clash against Gujarat Lions.

Predicted XI: Rahul Tripathi, Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, Manoj Tiwary, Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni, Dan Christian, Washington Sundar, Imran Tahir, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur

KKR have a clear edge on head to head department and despite RPS playing exceedingly well of late, it will be a monumental task for them to overhaul KKR in their own den.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.