IPL 10, Match 34, RPS vs RCB – Rising Pune Supergiant Player Ratings

Rising Pune Supergiant were on a roll. They had won 3 out of the last four games and were itching to make things right after last defeat against KKR. Royal Challengers Bangalore, on the other hand, had their own problems. They were hardly clicking with the bat and their bowling was not up to the mark as well. Winning just 2 out of last 9 games RCB were all but out of the playoff race.

Today’s game was no different for RCB as they were comprehensively overhauled by the buoyant RPS. The home team lost the toss and were put into bat and at the halftime break, it was certain that the pitch was on the slower side and 158 was a decent score. RCB knew they had to dig deep to win this one but they failed to do so. They lost the game by 61 runs scoring just 96 runs in their 20 overs out of which 55 were scored by Virat Kohli.

Pune played extremely well and they had some fantastic performers today. Let us have a look at the player ratings for the winning team today.

Rahul Tripathi – 7/10

Tripathi has 6 consecutive scores of over 30 runs this season and he is the only batter to do so. This shows how consistent he has been. A local boy playing with all his heart has been certainly a find for RPS. He has given them stability upfront and always makes sure they get off to a good start.

Also, he has coped up well with his experienced partner Ajinkya Rahane and both of them have given some good starts to the Pune team. He scored 37 of 28 deliveries today; another 30 plus score.

Ajinkya Rahane – 3/10

Ajinkya has been a shadow of himself since the first match and has hardly performed ever since that 60 odd run inning. He failed even today as he was the only batter for Pune who did not enter the double figures. He scored 6 of 8 deliveries and did not really trouble the scorers. He needs to pick up his socks for the next game as Pune need him to perform.

Steve Smith – 7.5/10

Smith and Tripathi gathered the innings well but Smith continued his inning with Tiwary as well. He was striking the ball well on a sluggish pitch and certainly helped his team with the stability he gave in that middle order. His partnership with both Tripathi and Tiwary were crucial as the team did not lose wickets at crucial times. Smith scored 45 of 32 deliveries hitting 5 boundaries and a six in the process.

Manoj Tiwary – 7.5/10

Manoj Tiwary was sent up the order today as he was constantly showing how good he was at the death overs. His inning of 44 of 35 deliveries today helped RPS immensely as they managed to get past the 150 mark. He showed that he can bat at number 4 and even number 3 if the chance is given. He was pivotal for them today and did the job in the field as well.

MS Dhoni – 5/10

Dhoni did not have much to do in the field today except for the run out of Kedar Jadhav but he was struggling with the bat. The pitch was extremely slow and it was hard for a newcomer to start hitting the ball right away. Dhoni scored 21 of 17 deliveries and remained not out. He was just not up there today as he hit just 1 boundary and 1 maximum in the 17 balls he faced.

Daniel Christian – 6.5/10

Dan Christian has come good for RPS as they had struggled in the bowling department previously. They turned to this Australian for stability and he showed his skills at the right time. Today he bowled four overs and gave away just 25 runs picking up one wicket and that of Kohli. He has been consistent for them and he proved that today.

Washington Sundar – 5/10

Just 17 years of age, this boy has bowled extremely well throughout the tournament, he runs through his overs and is a good fielder as well. He had little to do today as he bowled just 2 overs and gave away 7 runs picking up one wicket of Sachin Baby. Sundar’s consistency will keep him in the side for the coming games for sure.

Lockie Ferguson – 9/10

Lockie Ferguson made his name in world cricket and in New Zealand because of the pace he has. He showed his other qualities today. Ferguson bowled four overs gave away just 7 runs at an economy rate of 1.75 and picked up two crucial wickets of AB de Villiers and Stuart Binny. He also affected a run out of Kedar Jadhav and was termed as the man of the match for today’s game.

Jaydev Unadkat – 7/10

Unadkat, after a horrendous last game, was back in form for this one. He bowled extremely well today for his 4 overs as he just gave away 19 runs and broke the opening stand before it hurt them. His slower deliveries were used perfectly today as he helped his team script a double over the Bangalore-based team.

Deepak Chahar – 3/10

Chahar did not bowl after the powerplay today and gave away 18 runs in his two overs. He was not used later on as other bowlers did their job. He was outdone by Virat Kohli who smashed him for three consecutive boundaries in his second over. Overall this young man had a match to forget.

Imran Tahir – 8.5/10

Tahir has been one of the better bowlers for Pune as he is their leading wicket takers. Even today he picked up 3 wickets and gave away absolutely nothing in terms of runs. In his four overs Tahir bowled, he gave away just 18 runs. This performance of his helped Pune to win their fourth game out of the last five and strengthened their position in the points table.