IPL 2017: SRH (Sunrisers Hyderabad) vs RPS (Rising Pune Supergiant) match prediction

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiant will look to seal a top four spot in IPL 2017. But which team will win this match?

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, SRH — SRH need Bhuvneshwar Kumar to come to the fore with the ballIANS

The Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiant, looking to seal a place in the playoffs, face off in IPL 2017 Match 44 on Saturday.

With both teams in prime position to qualify for the playoffs, neither will want to take that qualification too deep, with both keen to pretty much firm their grip on a top four spot with a victory on Saturday.

While SRH are coming off a loss to the Delhi Daredevils, RPS were too good for the Kolkata Knight Riders in their last match.

So, how will this match go?

If SRH bat first:

David Warner has no qualms about taking the RPS bowlers on early, with Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur going for a few, while Ben Stokes and Washington Saundar are spanked all around the park.

Shikhar Dhawan foes go early in the innings, though, but Kane Williamson acts as the perfect foil for Warner, giving him the strike and not putting him under any undue pressure by playing too many dot balls.

Thanks to that partnership, and then a ridiculously-good blitz from the SRH middle order – Yuvraj Singh leading the way there – the Hyderabad side are able to get to 186.

RPS, again, are given a great start by Rahul Tripathi, with Ajinkya Rahane looking to stay at the other end. The two RPS openers go through the Powerplay unbeaten, before Rashid Khan picks up the in-form Tripathi.

Rahul Tripathi, RPS — All eyes will be on the in-form Rahul TripathiIANS

Steve Smith and Rahane, though, keep RPS ticking forward, and when the latter falls after a well-made half-century, the Rising Pune Supergiant are left needing just a little over ten runs an over to win the match.

Smith and Ben Stokes seem to have it under control, but the bowlers fight back towards the end and despite a few boundaries from MS Dhoni at the death, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by some wonderful bowling from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, are able to pick up a narrow win.

If RPS bat first:

Tripathi is on fire again and so is Rahane as RPS get to 71 in the first six overs. Once Tripathi falls for 48, though, the RPS innings does slow down a little, even if Smith looks in good form at one end.

Rahane also goes a little while later, but Stokes and Smith are there, putting on a big partnership, which takes RPS to 191.

Warner starts the chase in his own style, striking boundaries at will. Dhawan also looks good, and the two left-handers are able to keep the required run rate in sight; indeed they go above it.

With such a good opening, Kane Williamson comes in and continues the momentum, and after Warner falls for a wonderful 74, it is Yuvraj's turn to finish off the chase, which he does in brilliant style.