24th April, Wankhede Stadium, Sachin Tendulkar. No matter what sporting event is on offer, it has to take a back seat when it is Sachin’s birthday. Cricket is a religion in India, and while religion has been dividing people since forever, cricket has been doing just the opposite. And while there are umpteen gods that people generally pray to, when it comes to cricket, there is only one. Such is the aura, such is the stature of this man that he is capable of stopping time in India. A Sachin hundred acts like a balm for the average Indian, it makes them forget all their daily woes, and helps them revel in the genius of India’s most powerful man.
The Wankhede sang in unison to greet Sachin on his birthday and the entire nation took up interesting ways in order to make the special man feel even more special on his big day. But Mumbai Indians were unable to top it off with a win, something that left a slight blot on an otherwise eventful day.
Mumbai Indians couldn’t chase down a par score of 160 on a rather sluggish Wankhede track, thanks to some wonderful death bowling by Imran Tahir and Ben Stokes. Pune began the night with a solid opening stand between Rahane and Tripathi but after the duo fell, none of the batsmen could really turn things on and they had to settle for what seemed like a par score.
Mumbai Indians went about their business in a unruly manner. Wickets tumbled at regular intervals and no one except Rohit Sharma seemed in great touch. Sharma’s valiant effort with the bat was all but going to bear fruits, until two brilliant overs from Tahir and Stokes, giving away just 4 and runs respectively, pegged the Mumbai Indians back.
17 to defend of the last over and Jaydev Unadkat held his nerve to dismiss Rohit of the second ball(the first one went for a six) and take his side home. Mumbai wouldn’t be reading too much into this loss, whereas Pune will be extremely buoyed by their performance and recent winning streak.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Lightning struck RCB the last time they took the field. A team that boasted of legends of the game, succumbed to one of the most humiliating losses in the history of the event. Virat Kohli held the entire team responsible for the loss but was quick to say that these set of individuals will come back stronger.
Sunrisers though will possibly pose the sternest of tests for the already wounded RCB batsmen. Their bowling line up reeks of devils that could open you up left, right and centre. Rashid Khan could be extremely useful tonight, seeing how Yuzi Chahal has relished in the spinners role at the Chinnaswamy this season. Bhuvi’s death overs bowling has been phenomenal this season and it could prove to be a major roadblock for RCB during their launch overs. But first they need to get past the hurdle of 50 runs.
Let’s get to business now!
IPL Fantasy League Fantasy Tips on the next page
IPL Fantasy League
Transfer out: Jos Buttler, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul Tripathi
Transfer in: David Warner, Yuzi Chahal, Any uncapped player worth 600,000
Now, I already have Virat Kohli, ABD, Rashid Khan and Bhuvi in my team for this game.
The first player that I would get in for this game is David Warner. Warner has been in terrific form in this year’s IPL as well, and though he didn’t quite the set the ball rolling in the last game, playing a rather pained innings, but he did get 40 odd, and on a traditionally sound Bangalore wicket, I expect him to go bonkers tonight.
The second transfer that I’ll be making for this game is getting in Yuzi Chahal. I’ll have to fiddle with things a little bit though to make room for him in my side as the cost constraint is killing me with Kohli, ABD, Warner in my side.
Chahal is a must have as RCB play 3 games in 6 days and he could very well give you a return of at least 200 points before you transfer him out. Now, in order to get Chahal in I’ll have to do away with my uncapped player, i.e I’ll have to bring in a dummy uncapped player, that’ll cost be just 600,000. Also, in order to take care of my team combination, it is necessary that I get in one that is either a bowler or an all rounder.
I won’t be making any other changes to my side for this game.
Captain: Virat Kohli(if RCB bat second)/ABD(if RCB bat first)
Fandromeda Fantasy Tips on the next page
Fandromeda
Transfer out: Jos Buttler, Jasprit Bumrah
Transfer in: David Warner, Bhuvi
Now, I already have Virat Kohli, ABD and Yuzi Chahal in my side for this game.
The first player that I bring in is David Warner. Against a meek RCB bowling line up and on a traditionally hight scoring ground, you just can’t afford to leave him out.
With 3 of the most reliable RCB players already in my side, I won’t be bringing in any other player from their squad.
The second substitution that I make for this game is getting in Bhuvi for Bumrah. Bhuvi’s death bowling skills have been the talk of this IPL and though he’ll be up against a fierce and wounded batting lineup today, I expect him to get at lest 2 wickets. Get him in for sure if SRH bowls first, you could maybe opt out if SRH bowl second as you’ll anyways end up transferring him out, as SRH don’t play a game for some time now.
I am leaving out Chris Gayle, as SRH have enough in their armoury to topple the big West Indian.
Batting Star: Virat Kohli(if RCB bat second)/ABD(if RCB bat first)
Bowling Star: Bhuvi(if SRH bowl first)/Yuzi Chahal(if RCB bowl first)
Happy team picking
