Stephen Fleming says winning close games this year has been the turning point for RPS

If not too many last ball wins and down to the wire games, the IPL was kept alive by Rising Pune Supergiant’s continuous change of fortunes this year. After their first four matches this year, it seemed like they will fail to make it to the playoffs once again. After the first 6 matches, it appeared they will manage a top 2 spot.

With the result of the next 3 matches again their playoff berth looked doubtful. And with a win in their last match, they 2nd in the points table. IPL 10 has been a very topsy-turvy one for the Steve Smith-led side. The Supergiant, had a poor first season as they kept losing close games, but this year they bounced back stronger to ensure that this season is worth remembering.

It has been a season of complete team effort and contributions by the entire team. “We lost 6-7 last over games, last season. But, this season we have won 5 on 5 close games and that has been the turning point for the team,” notes RPS coach Stephen Fleming.

Giant performance from Indian pacers

The Supergiant’s performances showed the mix of experience and young talent. The senior players like Steve Smith and Manoj Tiwary took the side home on several occasions, but the youngsters like Rahul Tripathi, Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur have also stood out and won RPS games.

Unadkat and Thakur were sensational last night against the game with Kings XI Punjab. The left-arm pacer’s fielding too has been brilliant throughout this season and has changed the game in RPS’ favor many a times. Thakur on the other hand proved with his bowling the reason for the Indian national selectors’ faith in him.

With the way RPS have played the season so far, the qualifier 1 between the team from Pune and table toppers Mumbai Indians promises to be a competitive game which will not be a cakewalk for any of the two sides.