Pune Warriors India vs. Rajasthan Royals - Preview

Match 52 of IPL 2012 brings together two teams that have been facing a losing streak in their last few matches. While the Rajasthan Royals have bounced back with a 43-run victory over Kings XI Punjab, Pune Warriors India have not been able to show any resurrection as of yet. They did not display anything impressive in their last match against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata, which was one of the most awaited matches of the season, with most spectators expecting the Sourav Ganguly led team to return home victorious.

While Rajasthan Royals turned its trajectory around in their last match, this match will be the one that will see them continue on the new path of wins, or it will be the match that marks the turning point of Pune Warriors India’s losing streak.

Head to Head

RR and PWI have faced each only once in IPL 2011. PWI were unable to defend their score of 143 runs and RR won by 6 wickets with 3 balls to spare.

Players to watch out for

Rajasthan Royals

Shaun Tait

The Australian pace bowler who packs quite a punch, helped his team to a 43-run victory by taking 2 wickets against KXIP. Having some of the fastest balls to his record, Tait plays only the T20 format of the game. In spite of occasional injuries that come along with his unrefined method of bowling, Tait is a bowler who can intimidate most batsmen and PWI might have to be extra cautious while facing him.

Shane Watson

An all-rounder with immense drive, has sustained and overcome multiple injuries during his initial playing days and has gone on to become an important member for any team he plays for. Labelled Player of the Tournament, he was instrumental in RR’s victory in the IPL 2008. His ease in pushing the ball over the boundary and timely wicket taking makes him a challenge that PWI might find a tad difficult to overcome.

Ajinkya Rahane

He has had more of a good season than a bad one. There have been some matches where he hasn’t been able to score as expected, but he has worn the Orange Cap in the series (he is currently only 6 runs behind leading run taker – Virender Sehwag) and expectations are still high. He couldn’t score in their last match against KXIP, but keeping in mind the importance of a win in every match from here on, RR’s X-Factor might be the one who seals their victory against PWI.

Pune Warriors India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

He is one of PWI’s younger players who has been an asset for his team, time and again. The player most known for costing Sachin Tendulkar his first first-class duck in Indian domestic cricket has been consistent in taking wickets for his team. And in spite of PWI’s losses, he has gained a reputation as a bowler of capability. RR’s capable batsmen might be facing more than they bargained for when Kumar is placed on the opposite end of the pitch.

Angelo Mathews

He might not have started the IPL-5 with as much chaos as he was expected to create. But a player with immense talent, his performance has shown improvement, and expectations have returned after their match against MI where he scored 35 runs off 27 balls and took 2 wickets. With the pressure building, Mathews will be looking to be at his batting and bowling best, making him quite an obstacle that RR will have to work to overcome.

Steve Smith

He has become one of PWI’s favourite players. Whether it’s his smashing boundaries or fantastic catches, he is a player that is expected to work miracles in almost every game. The past few matches however, have seen a dip in his form with him not being able to score the runs he needed to to push his team to victory. If PWI’s X-Factor lives up to the expectations that follow him on to the field, they might have the weapon they need to break their losing streak.

Prediction

With both teams trying to make the best of their remaining chances, the match, as seen in many past T20 matches, can go either way. However, based on their past matches, Rajasthan Royals may just be the team that performs better, leaving Pune Warriors India one count further into their losses.