IPL 2017 KXIP vs RPS: List of today's probable playing XI for Rising Pune Supergiant
It was an absolutely sensational start for the Pune IPL 2017 team in the league as they emerged victorious against the Mumbai Indians at the MCA Stadium by 7 wickets with just one ball to spare. It was a dream first game as skipper for Australia's Steven Smith who scored a captain's knock of 84 (54) with 7 fours and 3 sixes to take the team home.
In the 4th match of the IPL 2017, they take on the Kings XI Punjab at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Here is the possible playing XI for the Pune team -
Openers
Ajinkya Rahane showed exactly why he’s one of the best batsmen in the IPL with a fluent knock of 60 (34) in the first game of the season. He started off from where he left off in the final Test against Australia and looked in blistering form.
Mayank Agarwal will likely partner him despite a failure against Mumbai. Trusted with an opening spot, he failed to deliver and lost his wicket to Mitchell McClenaghan. However, his inclusion helps the side play two leg-spinners and they will look to persist with a winning combination.
Middle-order
Steven Smith continued him Bradmanesque form with a match-winning knock against Mumbai. He looked in absolute control as he scored runs all over the ground.
Manoj Tiwary did not get a chance to bat in the first game, but the batsman who represented Kolkata Knight Riders in previous seasons is a solid player to rely upon in the middle of the order.
MS Dhoni looked in indifferent form when he walked out to finish the game against Mumbai. He looked jittery in his knock of 12 (12) but will be determined to show that he hasn’t lost a touch of his magic.
All-rounders
Ben Stokes walked out to bat ahead of MS Dhoni and immediately found the middle of the bat. There were glimpses of promises in his 14-ball-21 and fans will be expecting a lot more from him in the games to come.
Rajat Bhatia showed exactly why he is such a weapon to have in the shortest format of the game with incredible figures for his side. In his 3 overs, he took two wickets while just conceding 14 runs.
Spinners
Imran Tahir made the owners at the IPL auction look like fools with his performance in the first game. After having gone unpicked and lining up for Pune team at the 11th hour, he picked up 3 wickets for 28 runs.
Adam Zampa was a breakthrough star in last year’ s IPL but will have his task cut out this season. The surface in Indore will assist spin and that’s why he might be given another chance. In other surfaces, he might lose his place to accommodate another foreigner.
Seamers
Deepak Chahar was only given 2 overs to bowl but showed enough promise to justify another starting berth. Pune are slightly weak in this department and he has a great chance to solidify his place in the squad.
Jaydev Unadkat will replace Ashoke Dinda. The latter was given an absolute hiding by the Mumbai batsman. He conceded 30 runs in the final over, and that over nearly tipped the scales in the opposition’s favour.