RPS vs KXIP: Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat propel RPS into IPL 2017 qualifier
Pune: Rising Pune Supergiant completed an all-round victory over Kings XI Punjab at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium, in Pune, on Sunday.
This victory by RPS propels them to the second spot in IPL, which means that they will face-off against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, for the qualifier.
RPS were bang on their money right from the first ball of the match, after their captain Steve Smith won the toss and put KXIP in to bat first. Jaydev Unadkat gave them the early wicket that they wanted, picking off Martin Guptill in the first ball.
A complete batting order collapse followed, with Shardul Thakur, who dismissed Shaun Marsh, Rahul Tewatia, and Glenn Maxwell, to finish with figures of 3-19. RPS removed half the KXIP top order in the powerplay overs, and barring Wriddhiman Saha, KXIP did not really have much options left for them to get back into the match. Unfortunately, Saha, who had scored an unbeaten 93 in RPS' last match against Mumbai Indians, soon fell to Daniel Christian.
This great start set the tone for the match, as RPS got all out for just 73 runs in the 16th over.
With not much to chase, RPS came out with a concerted plan that Tripathi will do the hitting, while Rahane will play the sheet anchor role. The former's onslought ensured that RPS was never in danger, and he left captain Steve Smith in a very comfortable position, after he was dismissed by Axar Patel.
With the required rates at an all-time low, RPS cruised their way to the victory, as Rahane got them over the mark with a massive six off Glenn Maxwell's bowling, banishing KXIP to the bottom-four.
RPS: 78-1 from 12 overs
And its all over. Rahane ends the proceedings with a massive six off the last ball of Glenn Maxwell's over, thus ending any hope that KXIP had, of making it to the knockout stages of the competition.
RPS: 62-1 from 10 overs
The season is coming to an early close for KXIP here, as Rahane and Smith keep the scoreboard ticking at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
RPS: 41-1 from 5.3 overs
WICKET! The aggressive Tripathi goes for the slog sweep against Axar, but misses completely. Patel picks up a wicket, but it seems too little too late for KXIP now.
RPS: 36-0 from 5 overs
RPS are in no hurry here. They are cruising along at a fine pace, with Tripathi going for the charge, while Ajinkya Rahane plays the sheet anchor role. Surely there is no way back for KXIP now.
KXIP: 73-10 from 15.5 overs
WICKET! And just like that KXIP's innings is all over, more than 4 overs short. Mohit Sharma goes for the big hoink against Zampa, but only managed to give a high catch to Daniel Christian in the deep.
KXIP: 71-9 from 15.1 overs
WICKET! Zampa pitches up one of his classic leg spinners, as Ishant slogs it against the spin. As expected, he ended up giving a high catch to Smith.
KXIP: 69-8 from 13.4 overs
WICKET! Swapnil Singh completely misses the line of the ball, and edges it to Daniel Christian at first slip, who fumbled, but MS Dhoni behind the wicket, was alert, and took the catch on the rebound.
KXIP: 51-6 from 9.2 overs
WICKET! Saha goes fishing outside the off stump, looking to guide the ball down to third man. However, he only managed to get a thick edge, as Dhoni did well to take a diving catch behind the wicket.
KXIP: 32-5 from 5.5 overs
WICKET! Shardul picks up his third wicket. This has been a brilliant powerpaly for RPS. Maxwell uppishly flicked the ball on the leg side, but only managed to find Rahane in the deep.
KXIP: 31-4 from 5.2 overs
WICKET! Another one bites the dust! Tewatia tried to pull it, but Shardul had hurled a slower bounder, and gloved it behind to Unadkat.
KXIP: 29-3 from 5 overs
RPS have started off just as they wanted. Unadkat gave them an early start with a wicket off the first ball of the day, and then Shardul Thakur mixed it up well, to trap Shaun Marsh.
KXIP: 24-3 from 4.2 over
WICKET! Morgan tried to steal a quick single there, but a brilliant piece of fielding does him in. The paceman came in running and threw an underhand ball, to hit the stumps.
KXIP: 19-2 from 3.3 over
WICKET! Brilliant bowling by RPS. Shardul Thakur fires it in with a scrambled seam, as Marsh plays an uppish drive, giving an easy catch to skipper Steve Smith.
KXIP: 0-1 from 0.1 over
WICKET! Unadkat with the first ball of the match! Guptill drives the ball uppishly, but only managed to find Manoj Tiwary in the covers.
Teams:
Kings XI Punjab XI: Martin Guptill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Glenn Maxwell (c), Shaun Marsh, Eoin Morgan, Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia, Swapnil Singh, Mohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Sandeep Sharma
Rising Pune Supergiant XI: Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Steven Smith (c), Manoj Tiwary, Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni (wk), Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Adam Zampa
Toss:
Rising Pune Supergiant have won the toss and have decided to field first. Kings XI Punjab to bat first.
Preview: It all comes down to this match. Rising Pune Supergiant and Kings XI Punjab find themselves in a knockout match, even before the 2017 IPL qualifiers have begun.
Both the sides have been going through some patchy form over the course of the season, something that does not do justice to the immense talent present in both the squads.
However, it all comes down to this match, that would either define their season as a success, or as a failure.
RPS have regained their form after an early season blip, and under the guidance of Steve Smith, one of the most iconic captains of modern day cricket, have managed to haul themselves into the top four spots.
However, Punjab, who have had a more recent resurgence, in which they have won four out of their last five games, are right on their tail.
It promises to be a thrilling contest between two Aussie players as well, as Smith and Maxwell line up against each other.
In such a tensed tie, one moment of brilliance, or even one mistake could decide the outcome. Which one will it be in this game? Stay on this page to keep following the updates.
