Dhoni's men will have to adapt to the conditions quickly to avoid any such hiccup in the play-offs.
With eight points from 11 games, RR are placed second from bottom in the eight-team table and a loss on Saturday will end their slim chances of qualifying for the knockout stage.
AB de Villiers made this offer in May, barely 24 hours before the final squad for this ongoing showpiece in the UK was to be announced by Cricket South Africa.
Robin Uthappa and Andre Russell struck belligerent fifties after veteran Brad Hogg's four-wicket haul to help Kolkata Knight Riders return to winning ways with a seven-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling Indian Premier League match in Kolkata, on Thursday.
South Africa bowled England out for 181 in their first innings and had built up a significant 175-run lead by the close of play on the second day of the first Test at Centurion Park on Friday. Images from Day 2 of the first Test between South Africa and England at Supersport Park in Centurion on Friday.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be eager to break the sequence of reverses and get Rising Pune Supergiants' campaign back on track when they lock horns with in-form Kolkata Knight Riders.
'He started the campaign really well in the IPL and he needs some support. He's not going to score runs on every occasion.'
Dale Steyn has claimed that cricket takes a back seat at the Indian Premier League
India skipper Virat Kohli lauds his third spinner, who made most of the little opportunity he got in the third Test against South Africa. Harish Kotian/Rediff.com listens.
The complete list of players sold in the IPL 2025 Auction in Jeddah.
Images from the IPL 2022 Playoff Eliminator match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants
Hasaranga's first two strikes changed the complexion of the game. With Markram's wicket a huge partnership was averted. Pooran's dismissal nipped a growing partnership in the bud.
South African pacer Nandre Burger said on Tuesday that the experience of playing against India in the recently-concluded all-format home series was incredible and he learnt a lot during the course of it.
A wicketkeeper rarely earns kudos purely for his glovework but Wriddhiman Saha enjoyed that rare acclaim during the second Test against South Africa at Pune.
'There is a little bit of home advantage and you got to use your matches at home. It's your facility but in Hyderabad, I think it's fair conditions. At the end of the day, better team on the day wins the game. I must say I congratulate the ground staff for producing good tracks, it's just each and every time, we came up short.'
The series loss to South Africa notwithstanding, India held on to their second spot in the team list, while star batsman Virat Kohli rose up a rung to second in the batsmen's table of the latest ICC ODI cricket rankings.
Kane Williamson has defended his decision to use Carlos Brathwaite at the death overs and praised his bowlers after a two-wicket defeat to Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier of Indian Premier League.
Virat Kohli bounced back in style to score a patient half-century against the Gujarat Titans.
Vote for your best knock of the CSK vs RCB match.
India's limited overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named captain of new Indian Premier League franchise Rising Pune Supergiants on Monday.
South Africa wants to infuse fresh blood going into next year's World T20 in Australia.
Tom Latham and Jeet Raval weathered an intense examination for over 25 overs to guide New Zealand to 67 without loss at the close of the rain-affected second day of the third Test against South Africa at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.
Images from Day 4 of the second Test between South Africa and Australia in Port Elizabeth on Monday.
Inspite of blasting a 61-ball 119 in the fifth and final ODI against India, South African skipper AB De Villiers has played down his effort in comparison to teammate Faf du Plessis's more sedate 133, saying the knock helped other batsmen free up.
Mumbai Indians became the first team to qualify for the final of the Indian Premier League with a comfortable 25-run win over Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede stadium.
Rajneesh Gupta highlights important numbers featuring the South African team from the World Cups.
Curran, who started positively from the outset, then smashed two sixes and as many boundaries off Khaleel Ahmed in the fourth over
England proved devastating with both bat and ball on Saturday as they scored 400 runs in their first innings and then reduced sorry South Africa to 88 for six wickets at the close of play on the second day of the fourth Test at The Wanderers. Images from Day 2 of the 4th Test played between South Africa and England in Johannesburg on Saturday.
India captain Virat Kohli says the six-wicket victory in the first One-Day International against South Africa will give his side the momentum in the remainder of the six-match series.
The Proteas are yet to reach the summit clash of the World Cup, having been knocked out at the semifinal stage four times.
South Africa have promised a ruthless approach as they seek to inflict an historic series sweep when they host India for the third and final Test at The Wanderers in Johannesburg on Wednesday, says captain Faf du Plessis.
South Africa need five wickets on Friday to secure victory in the first Test after Sri Lanka provided dogged resistance and were 240 for five at stumps on the fourth day at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.
Virat Kohli looks "stress free" without the burden of captaincy weighing him down, a dangerous sign for the opposition teams in IPL 2022, said his Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate Glenn Maxwell.
A buoyant India will look to cash in on South Africa's injury woes, compounded by the loss of captain Faf du Plessis, when the two sides meet in the second One-Day International in Centurion on Sunday.
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils in Pune on Monday
Mumbai Indians have been in ominous form and the varied bowling attack could prove a challenge for the CSK batters, who are low on confidence.
Needing 16 off the final over, Pollard hit Ngidi for two fours, a six off the fifth and two off the last delivery to seal victory. 16 runs came from the over as Pollard was unbeaten on a memorable 87 off 34 balls.
Images from the Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings vs KKR in Kolkata on Sunday.
IMAGES from the IPL 2024 Eliminator played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad, on Wednesday.
'It doesn't get any easier though against India but it's their first game and our third, so maybe that could give us the edge we need'
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