Glenn Maxwell’s late order surge and some Miller magic to top it off with ensured that the Kings XI Punjab started IPL 10 on a winning note. The Indore track was supposed to be a road, but it didn’t really pan out that way for the RPS side as none of their top 3 could really get going, and only a ’14 crore’ special could help them post a respectable total.
Amla started the chase in his usual stoic self and things looked on course for Kings XI but no they were not having it that way. They wanted the crowd to get some entertainment, to help the game go down the wire and hence promoted Axar Patel up the order. Now, Axar Patel has definitely improved leaps and bounds, but you don’t send him in to bat when you have Maxwell, Miller and Stoinis sitting in the dug out. You just don’t.
And though Axar tried his best to bring RPS back into the side(helped by some Tahir and Chahar trickery as well), the M&M show ensured that the meagre total was knocked off in the way it should have.
The second game was all about which team wanted it less. It was about how one team could less things wrong in the course of the 40 overs and RCB just about managed to commit fewer errors.
Also Read: Fantasy Tips for Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Kedar Jadhav once again showed the world that he was probably drafted in a little too late into the international setup. He is making a strong case for cementing the number 4 spot for the national side as well. His splendid late order hitting ensured that RCB could just get over the 16 over par score at the Chinnaswamy.
Delhi, for some strange reason just couldn’t get going in the chase. Rishab Pant, who lost his father a couple of days played an inspired knock to help Delhi inch closer and almost seal the game before Watson bowled a superb 19th over to tilt the game in RCBs favour. The ball was then thrown to Pawan Negi, who fired one in to knock Pant’s left stump off and sealed the deal for his new franchise. Delhi need to sort their batting order or else they could go out of contention really soon.
RCB would be happy that they got one win out of the way without Virat and ABD and would be highly satisfied with their bowling unit. Yuzi Chahal, Stanlake and Watson did a wonderful job last night, defending 157 in perfect batting conditions.
Let’s get to business now!
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Lions
The Champions play their second straight home game and would be looking to tame the Lions in the fiercest way possible. With a settled unit and a bunch of impactful all rounders, SRH worthy of the champions tag.
Lions on the other hand need to make a call, of whether putting all their eggs in one basket is a wise choice. They did not field even a single overseas bowler last time round and succumbed to a 10 wicket loss. Personally, I would want them to field the same XI this time round too because you can’t just change your plans based on the result of one game. Stick to your plans if you have worked them out rationally.
The Hyderabad pitch seemed to be a belter in the first game, with the ball coming on beautifully, allowing the batsmen to hit through the line with ease. Expect a high scoring game today as well.
IPL Fantasy League
Transfer out: Ajinkya Rahane, Sam Billings, Shane Watson, Shahbaz Nadeem
Transfer in: Yuvraj Singh/Suresh Raina, Moises Henriques, David Warner, Shivil Kaushik
Now, I already have Bhuvi in my team for this game.
The first player that I bring in for this game is David Warner. Playing at home, on a flat deck, against a weak bowling attack, David Warner should help himself to at least a 50 today! And when he doest that, he’ll do it in real quick time. Do not leave him out!
The second player that I bring in Moises Henriques. He is being deployed in the number 3 slot and is guaranteed to bowl at least 3 overs, giving you the chance of bagging at least 80 points. Along with Yuvraj, he’ll be the accelerator in the middle overs and considering his performance in the last game, it would be foolish to leave him out.
For me, Jason Roy is one of the best T20 batsmen out there, but I have a feeling Gujarat would want to return to familiar territory by sending Smith and McCullum up top, with Faulkner slotting in as the all rounder. I would love to slot him in to my side as well, but I’ll leave that for when the team sheets are announced.
I’ll be going for one more change and that will be a straight toss up between Yuvraj and Raina. Yuvraj was impeccable in the previous game and when you see his bat flow in the most amicable manner, you know he is seeing the ball really well. Raina on the other hand accumulated a scratchy and pained half century in the last game, scooping the ball in the air umpteen times. It would only be logical to bring Yuvraj into the side, but only if SRH bat first, if they bat second I’ll be opting for Raina, as Yuvraj could succumb to the pressure of chasing or could not be needed if the top order wipe away the total.
For the uncapped player, I would bring in Shivil Kaushik despite him being taken to the cleaners in the last game, as the next best option is Deepak Hooda, who bats too deep and isn’t ever used for more than one over.
I am leaving out BMac because of the Bhuvi and Rashid threat. Smith doesn’t make it to the side because of the uncertainty around his batting position.
Captain: David Warner(if SRH bat second)/Moises Henriques(if SRH bat first)
Fandromeda
Exactly the same changes in Fandromeda(Gayle is transferred out instead of Watson)
Batting Star: David Warner
Bowling Star: Bhuvi
Happy team picking 🙂
