IPL 2017: Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) Predicted XI
After a terrible start to their IPL campaign in 2016, the Pune franchise has pulled out all the stops to ensure that IPL 2017 is different from 2016. No stone has been left unturned as they look to better their disappointing seventh-place finish from IPL 2016.
They have a checklist that has all been ticked off. Change your name for better fortunes, CHECK. Sign the most high-profile player in the auction for a lot of money, CHECK. Change the captain to see if there is any change of fortunes, CHECK.
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With plenty of big names, especially in the batting department, Pune will count on them to deliver and take them into the playoffs. Here’s a look at what the starting XI might look like against Mumbai Indians for their opening match:
Openers:
Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane may not be in great form coming into the tenth edition of the IPL or even be a regular in the Indian T20 side but when it comes to the IPL, he is a completely different player. One who continually breaks stereotypes and shows that conventional cricket can still fetch plenty of runs and you don't always have to muscle the ball.
The 28-year-old has scored over 2,500 runs in the IPL at an average in excess of 35 and strike rate of 120 with a century and 23 fifties to his name. His numbers for Pune last season were even better. With the team battling with injuries, he still managed to score 480 runs at an average of nearly 45 and strike rate of 126 with six fifties in 14 matches.
If he can continue providing Pune with the same kind of starts, they will be hoping to make much better use of it.
Mayank Agarwal
If there was one major drawback from Pune's performances in IPL 2016 it was their middle-order, especially the Indian batsmen. None of them performed to their potential and that ended up costing them as it left the rest of the batsmen that followed with too much to do.
Having let go of a few players, Pune brought in Mayank Agarwal and Manoj Tiwary and the battle will be between them for a spot in the side. Although Tiwary has a better T20 record, it is likely to be Agarwal, who signed from Delhi Daredevils during the second trading window ahead of IPL 2017.in the side. Although Tiwary has a better T20 record, it is likely to be Agarwal, who signed from Delhi Daredevils during the second trading window ahead of IPL 2017.
Although he hasn't had a great time in the IPL over the last couple of seasons, he affords RPS with the luxury of flexibility as he can open the innings as well as play in the middle-order, which might just help him get the nod at the start.