IPL 2017: Rising Pune Supergiant v Kings XI Punjab, Game 55 - Match Result Predictions

cc tomorrow at the MCA Stadium in Pune. It will be a must win encounter for both the teams as nothing short of a victory will be enough for them to qualify for the playoffs.

Pune was in a good position prior to their previous encounter but a defeat has made their final group game a must win encounter for them. Despite winning 8 of the 13 matches, Pune faces the prospect of a possible elimination if they fail to come out triumphant tomorrow. They have played some good all-round cricket but haven’t been invincible. Their net run rate is still in the negative which will is a worrying sign for Smith and Co.

The batting department looks pretty settled apart from opener Ajinkya Rahane who has been in a horrendous form in this tournament so far. Rahul Tripathi has batted exceptionally through the course of the tournament and will look to carry on his good run. Their bowling department has been pegged back by the absence of Imran Tahir but in Adam Zampa they have found a type for type replacement.

On the other hand, Punjab have been brilliant in their last couple of matches which has ensured that they are still in the competition. They started off well but fell away in the middle stages though their performance of late has been inspiring which has kept the tournament alive even with just a day to go for the completion of the group stages.

The batting department comprises of some serious power hitters but with the absence of Hashim Amla, David Miller and Eoin Morgan the batting department looks a bit inexperienced but the form of Maxwell and Wriddhiman Saha will definitely keep them in good stead ahead of the must win encounter for both the teams. With more than 15 hours to go for the 55th match of the tournament to commence let us have a look at the match predictions

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:        

Scenario 1: KXIP will win the toss

Toss Prediction: KXIP will choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 170-175

2nd innings Prediction: KXIP will win by 6 wickets (with 2 deliveries to spare)

Scenario 2: RPS will win the toss

Toss Prediction: RPS choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 165-175

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

Head to Head Record

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

Both teams won one encounter each in the 2016 edition and in the previous match played between the two teams earlier in the season, Punjab emerged triumphant by 6 wickets.

Team Combinations

Rising Pune Supergiant

Despite losing their previous match, Pune is expected to retain their same playing XI from the loss against Delhi. They have a settled combination and are unlikely to tinker with it. Ajinkya Rahane has been in a horrendous touch but they don’t have an option at the top of the order.

Predicted XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Steve Smith (C), Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni (wk), Dan Christian, Manoj Tiwary, Washington Sundar, Jaydev Unadkat, Adam Zampa, Shardul Thakur

Kings XI Punjab:

Punjab wouldn’t want to tinker with the winning combination, the XI that won them two huge games against two massive teams. KXIP had to beat Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders and a combined team effort topped by individual brilliance helped them through both times. They will want to persist with Wriddhiman Saha at the top after his fantastic knock against MI.

Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Manan Vohra, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell (C), Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma and T Natarajan

The pressure will be on RPS to win this game as they were always among the favourites to qualify, Kings XI, on the other hand, have done exceptionally well to be in a position where they are a win away from qualification. Since the match is played in Pune the home team will have the upper hand

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

Note: This is purely a random prediction made by the author