MPL 2023, RJ vs KT | Match Preview, Pitch Report, Predicted XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction
Kedar Jadhav in action during IPL 2023 (IPLT20.COM)
The inaugural Maharashtra Premier League season has reached its playoff stage. The knockouts will begin with the first qualifier, set to be played between table-toppers Ratnagiri Jets and number two side Kolhapur Tuskers.
Ratnagiri Jets finished the league stage at the top of the points table, having secured four wins out of their five fixtures. Each of their four wins came with a stamp of authority after they were jolted with a close defeat in the earlier stage of the tournament.
On the other hand, Kolhapur Tuskers have also registered four wins and a defeat from their five matches. However, they finished second on the points table owing to a slightly inferior net run rate. The Tuskers are currently on a four-game winning streak, signalling a revamp to their campaign following a big defeat in the tournament opener.
While the Jets will be tipped as favourites to win the contest, in consideration of the MPL 2023 points table, it is the Tuskers who hold an edge in the head-to-head battle between the two sides.
Match Details
Date and Time: June 26, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
Live Streaming and Broadcast: FanCode & DD Sports Network
Pitch Report
The MCA Stadium in Pune is generally known for assisting spinners, with something on offer for the batters once they settle in. The average first innings score here of late has been 152. Toss will not factor much into the contest, considering the chasing sides and teams batting first have had nearly 50 percent win record here.
Probable Playing XIs
Ratnagiri Jets: Dhiraj Phatangare (wk), Azim Kazi (captain), Preetam Patil, Nikhil Naik, Divyang Hinganekar, Kiran Chormale, Rohit Patil, Pradeep Dadhe, Nikit Dhumal, Vijay Pawale, Sahil Churi
Kolhapur Tuskers: Kedar Jadhav (captain), Ankit Bawne, Sahil Autade (wk), Naushad Shaikh, Taranjitsingh Dhillon, Kirtiraj Wadekar, Siddharth Mhatre, Akshay Darekar, Manoj Yadav, Shreyash Chavan, Atman Pore
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeeper: Kedar Jadhav, Nikhil Naik
Batters: Ankit Bawne, Preetam Patil
All-Rounders: Divyang Hinganekar, Azim Kazi, Dhiraj Phatangare, Manoj Yadav
Bowlers: Pradeep Dadhe, Kunal Thorat, Shreyash Chavan
Captain: Ankit Bawne
Vice-Captain: Divyang Hinganekar
Prediction
The Ratnagiri Jets will start out as favourites to upstage the Kolhapur Tuskers in the first qualifier.
 "Aakash Saini")
