IPL 9, Match 53 Preview: Pride at stake as Kings XI Punjab lock horns with RPS

At the start of the IPL 9, no one would have dreamed of a situation where the Kings XI Punjab and the Rising Pune Supergiants would lock horns in an inconsequential encounter. Playing at Vishakapatnam, the adopted home ground for both these teams, a win for them both will only ensure a morale boost for each team. The Rising Pune Supergiants, however, will be holding the upper hand following their win against the Delhi Daredevils. This will mark the final fixture of the current edition of the IPL for both teams. Moreover, with both teams on the same number of points, the fight for a seventh place on the table will perhaps be the spoils for the match.

Team News-

Rising Pune Supergiants:

A win against the Delhi Daredevils increased the sense of optimism around the team. While it gave them a much-needed lift, a wave of pride rushed through the spines of all those associated with the Pune. The injuries to the squad have left the backbone of the Supergiants on a pogo stick as they desperately scrambled to look for reinforcements. Although it is not the perfect team, Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming have optimized it to an extent where they can be in a position to win.

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Despite this being their final game of the season, the Supergiants will be expected to go in with the same playing XI with the odd replacement or two. Deepak Chahar, the 23-year old pacer who made a lasting impression will be expected to keep his place along with left-arm all-rounder Irfan Pathan. The latter will be the beneficiary of a vacant spot left by the recently departed Bhatia.

While Ravichandran Ashwin will be a spin option, Adam Zampa will be the X-Factor as far as the Supergiants are concerned. With the Vizag wicket offering turn and bounce for spinners, Zampa will be expected to play a pivotal role in proceedings. George Bailey’s form will also be a cause of concern for the Supergiants as they look to concluding their inaugural edition of the IPL with a win.

Kings XI Punjab:

The Kings XI Punjab were thrashed out of sight against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. It was much more than a glancing blow to a side that had little to play for on the night. Injuries, dressing room rifts, and alleged brawls have done little to raise the confidence of the players in the red and grey of the Kings XI Punjab.

However, while they would love to change their squad, the number of reinforcements on the wings are either too few or not available for selection. Therefore, it will be widely expected that they go in with the similar lineup that was thrashed out of sight by the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Having given away 55 runs in the three overs he bowled, KC Cariappa is almost sure to be left out of the side with Manan Vohra expected to make his return to the side. Should the Kings XI Punjab have any chances of overwhelming the Supergiants, their young starlet Sandeep Sharma must step up to the plate. His ability to swing the ball both ways has ensured that he has indeed become the prime strike bowler for the Kings XI. Wriddhiman Saha will also be expected to play an anchoring role in the batting scheme of things.

Probable XI-

Rising Pune Supergiants:

MS Dhoni (C/wk), Usman Khawaja, Ajinkya Rahane, George Bailey, Saurabh Tiwary, Irfan Pathan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravichandran Ashwin, Adam Zampa, Deepak Chahar, Ashok Dinda

Kings XI Punjab:

Murali Vijay (C), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Manan Vohra, Farhaan Behardien, Hashim Amla, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Kyle Abbott, David Miller, Mohit Sharma, Axar Patel, Sandeep Sharma

StAttack:

1. Adam Zampa has the best economy rate in the tournament for players who have played over 4 matches at 6.38. He also boasts of the best bowling average at 7.54.

2. Murali Vijay has smashed four half-centuries in the tournament, the most he has scored in any IPL he has featured in.