IPL 2017: RPS v MI, Game 2 – Match Result Predictions

The weak bowling of RPS gives MI a stronger chance to win

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Rohit Sharma Mumbai Indians
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(Photo Source: Nitin Lawate/IANS)

The second match of the 10th edition of IPL will feature the Rising Pune Supergiant hosting the Mumbai Indians at the MCA Stadium, Pune. Both teams had failed to make it to the playoffs last season and would be itching to make amends and start off on a winning note. The MS Dhoni led side RPS had finished 7th on the points table and now they have a new captain in the Australian Steven Smith. On the other hand, the two-time champions MI would want to move on from last year’s dismal performances and start afresh this season.

The game starts at 8 PM local time on a surface that has a history of producing high scoring encounters. The last four first innings scores on the ground were 185, 160, 195 and 159 that suggest another run feast but the recent Test between India and Australia saw a rank turner. It is highly unlikely that such a deck will be presented in a T20 game and as per the reports, the pitch would be good for batting. If the surface assists the batsmen, chances are that the teams would look to bowl first after winning the toss.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: RPS wins the toss

Toss prediction: RPS would choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 180-190

Second innings prediction: MI would win the match by 10-20 runs

 

Scenario 2: MI wins the toss

Toss prediction: MI would choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 170-180

Second innings prediction: MI would win the match by 5 wickets in the last over

 

Head to Head Record

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

Matches in Pune: Total Matches – 1, RPS Won – 0, MI Won – 1

It’s even stevens when it comes to head to head to battle with both sides winning one game apiece. Interestingly, both teams had lost their home games and won while travelling away. RPS are yet to win at Pune and had lost all their four games last year whereas MI have a great record at Pune having won all three matches at the venue in the past. It promises to be an intriguing battle where both teams would try to come hard and a close encounter is expected but the odds seem to be in the favor of the visitors.

Playing Combinations:

Rising Pune Supergiant:

The biggest news from the RPS came when MS Dhoni was scrapped as the skipper and Smith was handed over the responsibility. Even though he won’t lead, Dhoni would still be a key figure in the side. Their batting is the major strength that comprises of Rahane as the openes who was the only bright spot for the team last year and would hope to continue the merry run. He would be accompanied by either Faf du Plessis or Mayank Agarwal. Smith and Dhoni would bat in the middle order and a lot would be dependent on the two experienced lads. The biggest pick of the season Ben Stokes would be donning the role of a hard hitting batsman or a finisher at number 6. If all goes in order, their batting line-up is capable of chasing down any total.

The big worry for them would be their bowling. The pace battery consists of Ashoke Dinda, Ishwar Pandey and Shardul Thakur, two of whom might make it to the playing XI. None of these are proven T20 specialists and so the onus would be on Stokes in the bowling department too. Ankit Sharma might be picked as the spinner who doesn’t have an extravagant record either. But they possess two world class leg-spinners in the squad. Adam Zampa has done wonderfully well in the recent past and Imran Tahir is the current number one bowler in T20 rankings. With the presence of Smith, Zampa might be picked ahead of Tahir.

Also read Predicted Playing XI for RPS

Mumbai Indians:

The MI side’s morale would be boosted by the return of the skipper Rohit Sharma as he regained full fitness. They need to sort out their opening woes as they tried 5 different combinations last year that yielded just one 50 runs partnership. We might see the captain open the innings alongside Parthiv Patel. The other probability is for either Lendl Simmons or Jos Buttler to feature in the squad as an opener by pushing Rohit at number 3. The middle order comprises of Ambati Rayudu who has been a premier member of the side for a number of years, followed by the all-rounders Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard each of whom are capable of scoring quick runs down the order.

Their ace pacer Lasith Malinga has not yet joined the squad as he is playing for his national side and would be available from the next game. His presence would surely be missed but MI do have plenty to choose from as his replacement. Mitchell McClenaghan, Tim Southee and Mitchell Johnson are all excellent bowlers. McClenaghan has done well for them in the past and so he might get a nod ahead first and one of the other two could be in. Jasprit Bumrah is another bowler who will be playing an instrumental role at the death. The experienced spinner Harbhajan Singh would handle the spin department along with Krunal Pandya.

Also read Predicted Playing XI for MI

As far as the team combinations are concerned, MI side looks way more balanced than RPS. They have all the bases covered for all the three departments. A strong batting line-up backed up by an experienced bowling gives them a stronger chance to win. Though RPS has a hefty batting but the bowling department is weak and could well end up as the deciding factor in the match.

MI hold the upper hand and seem like the favorites to win the game.

You can follow live scores of the match here

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

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