In an important clash on blockbuster Sunday, upbeat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will face the mighty Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in Pune. It is expected to be a Goliath vs Goliath battle as both teams are in vehement form.
IPL 2017 Live Score: Rising Pune Supergiant vs Kings XI Punjab #IPL
This is a must win match for team Punjab failing which they will be ousted from the tournament. Until now, only MI have confirmed its secured berth at IPL play-off round with 18 points in their kitty.
Also Read: IPL 2017: Complete fixtures, schedule and time in IST with venue details
Team Pune has garnered 16 points from 13 games with a net run-rate -0.083 while Punjab have 14 points from equal number of matches. In case, KXIP win tomorrow then Glenn Maxwell and Co. will race to play-off round having a comparatively better run-rate of +0.296.
Team Punjab definitely needs a win tomorrow. For Pune too, it will be a do or die match. Currently, RPS look much stronger with the strong batting line ups including experienced players like Steven Smith (405 runs), Ben Stokes (316 runs and 12 wickets) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (240 runs). Opener Rahul Tripathi (360 runs) is also leading the team’s opening department well.
Team News for Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS)
The biggest asset of the team is Ben Stoke’s magnificent form and his all-round performance. He picked up his form at the right time bringing Pune so closer to Play-off round. His performance will be crucial to his team’s cause tomorrow. However, after tomorrow’s match – Stokes will leave for national duty.
Until now, RPS have won four out of the six games at home. They will try to repeat their successful performance one more time. Leg spinner Adam Zampa’s four-over spell will be crucial as he is the one who can stop the run-flow of Punjab. Jayadev Unadkat’s medium pace bowling will be another factor to watch out for. If he gives away anything more than 8 RPO then KXIP can comfortably put around 180+ run on the scorebard.
Team News for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)
Team Punjab’s performance will largely depend upon how their fast bowling duo of Sandeep Sharma and Mohit Sharma will perform tomorrow. They are the ones who can provide an initial breakthrough to RPS’s team. Also, Axar Patel’s left-arm-orthodox bowling at crucial juncture will be a key to Punjab’s bowling. His batting will be also vital for the team down the order.
Without Amla and Miller, Punjab will have to cautiously bat tomorrow. Kiwi opener Martin Guptill is expected to open the innings alongside Vohra with Shaun Marsh, Maxwell and Saha are set to follow. Punjab have won its two previous matches and will try to outsmart RPS tomorrow as well.
Predicted Playing XI (Both Teams)
Kings XI Punjab (KXIP): Manan Vohra, Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell (Captain), Wriddhiman Saha (Wicket Keeper), Matt Henry, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia and Swapnil Singh.
Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS): Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Steven Smith(Captain), Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni (Wicket Keeper), Manoj Tiwary, Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Adam Zampa and Jaydev Unadkat.
Head to Head: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) have 2-1 win-loss record against Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS).
Match Result Prediction: Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will win.
Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium at Pune. The match will go live on SONY ESPN from 4 PM onwards.
Tags: #IPL, Indian Premier League, IPL 10, IPL 2017, Kanpur, Kings XI Punjab, KXIP, Live Score, Rising Pune Supergiant, RPS, VIVO IPL
