IPL 10, Match 39, RPS v GL – Rising Pune Supergiant Predicted XI

After winning four out of their last five games, Rising Pune Supergiant has staked a claim for a spot in the last four. They have 10 points in nine games and are currently at the fourth spot in the points table with 5 league games left to be played. RPS needs a few more wins to secure their position in the playoffs.

Gujarat Lions are lagging too far behind for a spot in the last four. With just 6 points from nine games, Lions will have to win every game from now on if they want to qualify further in the tournament. Their campaign was slightly back on track after they picked Andrew Tye in their XI but with him out injured due to a shoulder dislocation injury, things are looking grim for the Raina-led team.

RPS gave RCB a mauling in their last game, effectively ending their hopes of a spot in the playoffs. Their bowling has been brilliant as they restricted a powerful batting line-up of RCB to a paltry score of 96 at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Saturday. RPS’ batsmen have also stepped up with the likes of Rahul Tripathi, Steve Smith, MS Dhoni and Manoj Tiwary contributing in almost every game. Let us have a look at the Predicted XI for RPS for their home game against Gujarat Lions:

Openers (Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Tripathi)

With 253 runs in 7 innings at 36.14 and a strike rate of 150.59, Tripathi is certainly enjoying his time under the sun. Otherwise a middle order batsman, Tripathi was pushed to open in their away game against Gujarat Lions. He has, since, provided rocketing starts to the RPS in almost every game.

His partner and India’s Test vice-captain Rahane has had a mixed season. With just one half century in nine games, RPS would expect more out of him going ahead in the tournament. He still has five league games to make a greater impact and if he gets going, RPS will be a force to reckon with.

Middle Order (Steven Smith, Manoj Tiwary and MS Dhoni)

Steve Smith has been very consistent in IPL 2017. With an average in excess of 50 and a strike rate of 136 this year, Smith has lived up to his expectations. The Australian has also led his side extremely well and hasn’t shied away of seeking Dhoni’s help in the middle overs.

RPS made a good decision of promoting Tiwary in the last game. The Bengal batsman has been striking the ball well but was batting too late in the order to make an impact. His 32-ball 45 at No. 4 in the last game will give him immense confidence.

Dhoni’s promotion earlier in the competition too did wonders to his confidence. The 35-year old has been hitting the ball well ever since his game-changing innings of 61* against the Sunrisers. An in-form Dhoni in the business end of the tournament will keep the bowlers on their toes.

All-rounders (Ben Stokes and Daniel Christian)

After been sidelined for a week due to a minor injury, Ben Stokes is expected to walk back into the side. His efforts with the ball have been instrumental in RPS’ revival in the tournament. They, though, would want Stokes to make a greater impact with the bat as well. He can be a force to reckon with if he fires at No. 6.

Christian, on the other hand, has also performed exceedingly well with the ball but, again, needs to do better with the bat. Both Stokes and Christian are better batsmen than what their numbers for this season suggest.

Bowlers (Imran Tahir, Jaydeep Unadkat, Washington Sunder and Shardul Thakur)

Pune bowlers are having a great time. Ferguson will miss out despite producing a Man of the Match performance in the last game. Unadkat has been brilliant with his slower balls at the death but needs to bring more variety at the back end of the innings.

Shardul Thakur was dropped following a poor outing against KKR but Deepak Chahar didn’t do much to retain his place. RPS must back someone like Thakur who has been a top performer at the domestic level for a few years now. He will open the bowling with Unadkat and both are more than capable of doing the job at the death.

Tahir and Washington will take care of the spin department. The latter is enjoying a decent season ever since he replaced the injured Ashwin in the team. The South African has used his experience and the available conditions well to be amongst the wickets.