IPL 2017: KXIP v RPS, Game 4 – Match Result Predictions

There were two teams who had very disappointing season last year. Newbies Rising Pune Supergiant and Kings XI Punjab had forgettable time in IPL 2016. The two teams had played each other in the final stages of the league stage. It was the RPS side that got the better of the KXIP riding on heroics from MS Dhoni. Now, when the two sides meet each other yet again, it might well be predicted that the Supergiant have an upper hand going in to the match.

The two sides have a history of being inconsistent but given the fact that the entire RPS line up has been a revamped unit, one needs to consider the momentum they have in the match. The Supergiant had upset the two time champions Mumbai Indians in their first match this season. The match saw their newly appointed skipper Steve Smith take a heavy toll on the bowlers. He finished with an unbeaten 84 on the night.

Opener Ajinkya Rahane was quite impressive too. However, the bowling had been largely disappointing. Talking about the Kings, they have a lot of selection conundrums when it comes to the overseas players. They will be under the leadership of Glenn Maxwell this season and that should bring some instinctive nature to the fore for the side. Also, the calm head of Eoin Morgan would be something they will look upto. However, whether the team gels up as a unit or not remains to be seen.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: KXIP wins the toss

Toss prediction: KXIP would choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 190

Second innings prediction: RPS will win by 30 runs.

Scenario 2:  RPS wins the toss

Toss prediction: RPS would choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 170-180

Second innings prediction: RPS will win by 6 wickets.

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 2, RPS Won – 1, KXIP Won – 1

The Kings XI Punjab and Rising Pune Supergiant had locked horns on two occasions last year. When KXIP took on RPS in the first match at Mohali, they had emerged victorious by a heavy margin of 6 wickets. A decent knock from Faf du Plessis had gone in vain. In the second match they clashed later in the league stage at Vizag, it was the Supergiant who overhauled the KXIP score riding on a memorable last over finish by MS Dhoni. They needed 23 to win off the last over and Axar Patel had the ball in hand. The match would have saved the winners from the embarassment of finishing as the wooden spooners of the tournament. MS Dhoni clobbered 3 sixes in the final over to seal the match for the Supergiant.

Playing Combinations:

Kings XI Punjab

The Kings XI Punjab have a lot to worry about when it comes to their overseas star. They cannot drop the experience of middle order duo of skipper Glenn Maxwell and David Miller. Now, they have the likes of Shaun Marsh and Marcus Stoinis in the roster since last year. Also, they added the international experience of Eoin Morgan and Darren Sammy.

With such plethora of overseas experience, the Kings XI Punjab will have to figure out a stable XI on the cards. When it comes to the bowling, they have similar issues to worry about. They have Anureet Singh, Sandeep Sharma and Mohit Sharma as the three set pacers who have been associated with the team for a long time now. However, they have also added veteran Indian speedster Ishant Sharma as a replacement for Murali Vijay.

Add a certain Varun Aaron to the line up as well and that completes the total fast bowling brigade. So they will have a lot to ponder about. In the spin department, they clearly lack experience. They have KC Cariappa and Pardeep Sahu – both of them have failed to be power performers for the side in the recent past.

Rising Pune Supergiant

The Rising Pune Supergiant are likely to field the same side for the match against the Kings. They have a very settled unit at the moment that pulled off a stunning win at Pune the other night. The only weak link that emerged from that match for them was pacer Ashoke Dinda.

Dinda was taken away for over 50 runs in his quota of four overs. He leaked as many as 30 runs in the last over. This clearly tells that he lacks the death bowling ability. Jaydev Unadkat could be brought in the line up at his expense. While the batting looks settled, they might think of getting in Faf du Plessis to beef up the batting quotient.

Du Plessis can come in pace of Adam Zampa, who was outplayed by teammate Imran Tahir. The wicket at Pune was spin friendly wicket and hence playing two spinners made sense. However, the track at Indore promises to be more of a belter especially considering the fact that it is a day game. The summer heat will not aid much to the spinners.

The odds are in favor of the Rising Pune Supergiant and they could overpower the Kings XI Punjab with their might in the batting.

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