IPL 2017: Delhi Daredevils v Rising Pune Supergiant, Game 52– Match Result Predictions

With around 3 days left for the playoffs of IPL 10 to commence, we have a pretty exciting encounter at our hands when the 2nd placed Rising Pune Supergiant meets Delhi Daredevils tomorrow at the Feroz Shah Kotla. While it will be an inconsequential encounter for Delhi, Pune will look to enforce a convincing win which will guarantee them a place in the top 2.

Pune hasn’t played their best cricket but has done enough to win matches. They have by far been the luckiest side in the competition with some of the close games going their way. Despite not having a good bowling line up, RPS have stuck to their strengths and have executed their plans to perfection. The top order has been effective with youngster Rahul Tripathi making full use of his opportunity opening the batting.

In the middle order captain, Steve Smith haven’t been able to execute the big shots to perfection which has halted Pune’s progress in the middle overs. Ben Stokes have been in good touch with the bat and will look to prove his mettle in his last two games of the tournament. MS Dhoni has shown glimpses of his old occasionally but will look for some consistency as the playoffs progress.

Delhi Daredevils snatched a nerve-wracking victory yesterday against the Gujarat Lions courtesy 57 balls 96 from youngster Shreyas Iyer. It was the partnership between Pat Cummins and Iyer during the later part of the innings which ensured Delhi chased the stiff target down with a couple of deliveries left. Barring Iyer and Cummins, the top order failed to get going and folded like nine pins.

Their bowling department has leaked runs on a consistent basis despite having one of the best bowling line-ups in the tournament. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada has left for national duty and will miss the last couple of matches. It has been yet another year when DD has failed to get going in crucial junctures but will look to finish on a high. So with around 20 hours to go for the 52^nd match of the competition to commence, here we have a look at the match predictions

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: DD will win the toss

Toss Prediction: DD will choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 175-185

2nd innings Prediction: RPS will win by 13-17 runs

Scenario 2: RPS will win the toss

Toss Prediction: RPS choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 160-165

2nd innings Prediction: RPS will win by 6 wickets (with an over to spare)

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –3, RPS Won – 2, DD Won – 1

Pune have a slight advantage on the head to head record with 2 wins from the 3 matches. Given their current form too, RPS holds an edge over DD but after an impressive performance in the previous match against Gujarat, Delhi will be hoping to finish their campaign with a couple of victories.

Team Combination

Delhi Daredevils

The home team is expected to retain their winning combination from the previous match. They will look to savage some lost pride and end their tourney with a couple of victories.

Predicted XI: Karun Nair, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Corey Anderson, Marlon Samuels, Carlos Brathwaite, Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan (c)

Rising Pune Supergiant

RPS have been playing some brilliant cricket of late and defeated KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last two matches. Rahul Tripathi smashed a sensational 93 of 52 deliveries which helped RPS topple KKR quite comfortably in the end. Left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat bagged a hat-trick and finished with exceptional figures of 5/30 in his 4 overs against Hyderabad.

Predicted XI: Rahul Tripathi, Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith (c), Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni, Dan Christian, Manoj Tiwary, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Imran Tahir, Jaydev Unadkat

Given Pune’s form, they will definitely start as favourites but Delhi can spring a surprise.

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

Note: This is purely a random call taken by the author.