IPL 2017: Rising Pune Supergiants’ best possible XI

Middle Order:

Steven Smith, Faf du Plessis, MS Dhoni, Baba Aparajith

Now, this is the section where Supergiants will wish to come good consistently. Steve Smith is the perfect candidate to steady the innings after a sudden hiccup, while Faf du Plessis is no stranger in slicing off the middle order muddle. Punjab’s Axar Patel clearly remembers the impact Dhoni can create during the later stages of the game and this time the ‘off-duty’ skipper is likely to be supported by the young talent Baba Aprajith.

Steve Smith’s T20I record might not do justice to his overall stature, as the Aussie skipper has fetched only 2 fifties from 30 matches but he has proved his utility in the past, ironically for the Pune franchise owned by Sahara group. He will also be leading this year’s campaign for the Supergiants, and that will surely bring out the best in a man who loves to call the shots.

32-year old Faf du Plessis has been one of the most successful South African batsmen in the IPL. In 51 games, du Plessis has scored well over 1200 runs at a healthy average of 30 plus. Having missed out in the last season due to injury, Faf will look to go in an all guns blazing mode. He has done it in the past for Chennai Super Kings, and it won’t be surprising if he does it again this time.

Many eyebrows were raised when it was learnt that the most successful captain of the IPL- MS Dhoni, won’t lead the pack in this year’s edition. But the positive side of this development is the fact that we might get to see an even more dangerous finisher turning in the heat. Dhoni is still the most valuable player in this side and his cameos during the slog overs have often changed the course of the game. Having lifted the IPL twice, he might have a word of wisdom for the new skipper in the ranks.

This could just be the year for Tamil Nadu’s promising youngster Baba Aparajith. The 22-year old didn’t feature in the IPL so far, in spite of bagging a contract with CSK in 2014. A member of the Indian side during the U-19 title triumph in 2012, the right-handed batsman has shown glimpses of his caliber in the domestic circuit. He has done well in the longer format of the game and here he might get an opportunity to push his case in the shortest version. Aparajith can also chip in with effective off-spin bowling, and this will give added options to the skipper.