Things cannot get any better in IPL 2017 as the fourth team for the Playoffs is yet to be ascertained. Will it be Rising Pune Supergiant or Kings XI Punjab? These two teams are going to be involved in a head-to-head clash in Pune on Sunday, which will complete the top four teams of IPL 2017.
Though there are some experienced players in the camp, the teams which hold the nerve will make it to the IPL 2017 Playoffs.
Read: Here is the RPS vs KXIP team news
How will RPS and KXIP players handle the pressure, and who will emerge victorious? Here is a look at how the big match could go in Pune.
If RPS bat first
Ajinkya Rahane's poor form with the bat continues. He is out in the second over of the match. Rahul Tripathi and Steve Smith look in good touch and score 49 runs from six overs. They are playing some sensible cricket, hitting boundaries at regular intervals and running well between the wickets.
Smith cuts loose, and hits Axar Patel for two back-to-back sixes in the 10th over, but he loses the wicket soon after. Tripathi also follows Smith to the dugout in the 12th over. Manoj Tiwary and MS Dhoni are at the crease. The former is timing the ball well while the latter is playing some dot balls, but Tiwary is out after a stunning catch from Shaun Marsh in the boundary line.
Stokes seems to be in dangerous mood as he hits the first ball he faces for a six. Dhoni makes it up for his slow start with some lusty blows in the 17th over, hitting three sixes. The duo power RPS to 178 in 20 overs.
Martin Guptill starts with a four and follows it with a six. The New Zealander is striking the ball clean and with power. Wriddhiman Saha is playing cautiously and giving the strike to Guptill, who provides a flying start. They score 65 runs in Powerplay.
They are going on at a healthy rate, more than the required rate too. Saha tries to sweep Adam Zampa, but he is trapped leg before. Manan Vohra is struggling to pierce the gaps during the middle overs. There is some pressure on the Indian batsman, who falls in the ninth over, which brings skipper Maxwell to the crease.
Guptill and Maxwell combine well. The New Zealander decides to go for an all-out assault. Guptill is going berserk, hitting some massive sixes while Maxwell is just enjoying the show. He powers the team past 140 runs in 15 overs.
Though Guptill is gone in the 16th over, Maxwell and Shaun Marsh guide the team to victory, and into the Playoffs.
If KXIP bat first
Guptill is dealing in fours and sixes only. KXIP lose the wicket of Saha in the sixth over, but that does not deter the New Zealand batsman from taking the attack to the opposition. He is going bonkers but loses his wicket for 48 runs in the ninth over.
He has done his job, and Maxwell carries on the onslaught. Marsh is playing the waiting game and allowing Maxi to use his hitting skills to full effect.
Maxwell scores 56 before getting out. Marsh, who has been there for some time, decides to take over, and he along with Manan Vohra put up a good total of 189 runs on the board.
RPS suffer worst possible start as they lose both openers during the Powerplay. Smith is under pressure, but he is shouldering the batting responsibility alongside Tiwary, until the Australian is run out. Disaster for RPS as they also lose the wicket of Stokes immediately.
Tiwary and Dhoni are keeping RPS in the hunt, but the required run rate is mounting. Their hopes are pinned on Dhoni's excellent finishing ability, but he is running short of partners as Tiwary is gone, followed by Dan Christian.
RPS need 60 runs from the last four overs, and Dhoni is out in the 18th over, putting an end to the home team's hopes. They are bundled out for 161 runs. KXIP qualify for the Playoffs.
