This match is going to be the clash of two best in the business right now. Both sides are making the headlines lately with their sheer performances. Especially the top order batters, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal of KXIP and in RR Sanju Samson and Steve Smith are found to be in great touch with their swords. That makes these two teams produce high-octane performance through this match.
Steve Smith has a strong core in his line up with the batters and bowlers are equally dominating. Meanwhile, in KXIP, KL Rahul is making his bowlers worthy with some good strategies.
Without getting into more build-ups for this match, let’s get into predictions for the Match No.9 of IPL 2020: KXIP vs RR.
Prediction on the top run-scorer
Steve Smith is right on track to make us witness astonishing behaviour with his bat. The Australian middle-order batter finds a better spot in the RR line up. As Jos Buttler has completed his quarantine period, he has become a much-expected change in the RR side. If that happens, the incredibly talented Steve Smith has to come in at No.3.Steve Averaging 45.19 of being a No.3 in IPL, the legendary Aussie batsman proved to be irreplaceable in this slot. The skipper takes time to get his flow in a pitch, and fortunately, this slot will suit the business. Once he finds the form in this spot, he can become a significant accumulator of runs for his team. So with all these facts and his previous match performance, Steve Smith is a front runner for this match against KXIP.
Mayank Agarwal with his fine fluency in the last two matches would be hoping to play an extended anchoring role, which in turn would put him in the top of the list to score more runs in this match.
Prediction on top wicket-taker
Sheldon Cottrell, with his deliveries that naturally move towards the right-handers, looks so lethal with the new ball. The Jamaican bowler creates chances right from the beginning for KXIP. An essential part of this is his partner, Mohammed Shami. The Indian pacer makes things slightly easier for the Jamaican pacer who comes from the other end. The left-arm pacers body-line deliveries stop the right-handers from extending their arms. And that makes him so productive in reaping the initial breakthroughs.
Ravi Bishnoi is making the bemusement factor for the batters when he spun the googly even more further than usual. He has got the right attitude, and that’s what makes him a unique spinner. Since the Sharjah ground is comparatively smaller than the other two venues, the batsmen would be hoping to go over the top, once they find the sweet spot of their swords for enough amount of time. This put this mystery bowler of the current situation to have a brighter chance to make it to this list.
Prediction on Who will win the match?
Rajasthan Royals, having played a match before on this occasion, knew the roles very well than the Punjab side. With the team strength and last match’s performances, Rajasthan Royals seems to have the upper hand here. With Jos Buttler likely to join the playing eleven for tomorrow, the batting order of RR finds more depth.
Kings XI Punjab is equally stronger to Rajasthan Royals in terms of batting. KXIP has the effective openers who have the ability to be in the crease till the end, and at the same time, the death over batters also makes a significant impact with the reputation they possess. So on comparing the batting line up, Kings XI Punjab is slightly higher when all terms of batting conditions are considered.
Both the steps in with a dominating victory in their previous match. This puts the mindsets of the players entirely in a positive note. As the Sharjah ground is found to be smaller than the other two venues, this match will be a high scoring match.
Prediction on the most six-hitting batter:
Glenn Maxwell, being a smart batsman who is always aware of field placement, has a complete package of shots to take the lead on bowlers. A good batsman doesn’t go over the fielder for a six. Instead, he will find gaps to go in the air. Maxie is one of the kind. The beauty in him is he used to invent new shots to go for it. The Victorian cricketer is able to whack you over the roof of the midwicket region. And at the same time, he can make switch hits to send the ball over the sweeper cover and point region. But his current form in the IPL is a little worrying. He is struggling to tackle the leg spinners who always find the edge of his bat while slogging. Apart from that leg spinner weakling, Glenn Maxwell is the top contestant to be on this list.
Prediction on Man of the match:
The IPL 2020 has so far been the batsmen’s paradise. Even though the batters have come in after six months of rest, they produce the innings that are becoming so crucial for the result of the match. So, no matter what the ground condition is going to be, the batters will have their charge.
On speaking of that tone, Steve Smith is predicted to win this award. He has all the opportunities and possibilities to make a prolific contribution to his side. And that puts him a significant competitor for this list.
Other than Steve Smith, KL Rahul is also a great name to be considered for the Man of the Match award. He is Mr. Consistent. With the century already been bagged, the Karnataka born Indian batter might be free, and his approach would get even more festive. Eventually, that makes the skipper of KXIP a competitor for Steve Smith.
To sum up
On the whole, Rajasthan Royals with the arrival of Jos Buttler on the top would be more violent than what we saw in their last match. Along with their balance in the side, RR steps in as favorites for this match.
