Death. taxes and winning games while chasing(except when SRH bowl second); some constants in life that can never be overturned. Mumbai Indians put up an exhilarating batting effort on display to neutralise Amla’s first innings heroics. Buttler and Rana absolutely clobbered the KXIP bowling, putting the balls away with utter disdain.
In the first innings, Amla constructed a magnificent hundred, pacing his innings to perfection and batting his way all through. But on a good batting surface, and with some dew coming into play, it was always going to be tough to defend 198. But Buttler and co. made it seem simpler than it was. Mumbai now sit atop the IPL table, enjoying the view while other teams still struggle to find their right combination.
Also Read: Preview and Match Result Predictions for Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Lions
Nitish Rana has grown in stature this season. A young, Delhi kid who wasn’t quite given the opportunities he deserved last season, has suddenly made the number 3 spot his own. He is batting like a dream and will only get better as the season progresses!
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Lions
As soon as Chris Lynn suffered that shoulder injury, KKR were in damage control mode. Their plans had been toppled over and they had to look for suitable replacements to fill in that opening slot. Uthappa seemed the ideal choice as Gambhir and Uthappa had constructed some stellar partnerships in the past, but the KKR camp had other ideas. Sunil Narine was drafted into the openers role and he flourished in one game, helping KKR chase down a stiff target with ease. KKR persisted with him for one more game and then gave Grandhomme a chance.
While things have been falling in place for KKR in the last few games, they definitely need to get things sorted with respect to the openers role, or they could be chopping and changing a little too much.
Gujarat Lions finally seem to have understood that a top heavy unit won’t help them much in their pursuit for the IPL title. They need to have that balance, and Tye’s inclusion has somewhat helped them get that. Bravo is probably a game away from full fitness, and when he is up for selection, the Lions could finally launch their surge in full flow.
Let’s get to business now!
IPL Fantasy League
Transfer out: Virat Kohli, Krunal Pandya
Transfer in: Manish Pandey, Ishan Kishan
Now, I already have Suresh Raina, Kuldeep Yadav and Andrew Tye in my team for this game.
Manish Pandey is the first player that I get into my side for this game. He is amongst the top 5 run scorers this season and has been striking the ball extremely sweetly, both against spin and seam. It would be criminal to not opt for him for tonight’s game.
How do we solve the BMac, Smith and Finch conundrum for this game?
While Smith and Finch haven’t really set the IPL on fire this season, they are perfectly capable of turning it on any time they like, except against KKRs spin bowling attack. Narnine, Kuldeep and Shakib(if drafted in) could cause a lot of trouble to these three, as they feast on balls that come onto the bat and don’t really fancy striking the slower bowlers away. Thus, despite the form that McCullum is in, I won’t be opting for him. Smith and Finch haven’t really done much anyway and thus I would stay from them as well.
Getting in Gautam Gambhir could be a good ploy, especially against a meek GL bowling line up but as KKR don’t play their next game until Sunday night, I don’t see the point of getting him in. But if you do have more than 50 transfers, go for it.
Sunil Narine has been very miserly this season but hasn’t quite been in the wickets and thus I wouldn’t want to waste an overseas spot on him as of now!
For the uncapped player, I would be getting in Ishan Kishan. Basil Thampi would have been my first choice, but I couldn’t get him in because of my squad balance. Ishan Kishan has suddenly turned into a six hitting machine and is a good enough pick.
Captain: Manish Pandey/Suresh Raina(whoever bats first)
Fandromeda tips on the next page:
Fandromeda
Transfer out: Virat Kohli
Transfer in: Manish Pandey
Now, I already have Suresh Raina, Andrew Tye and Kuldeep Yadav in my side for this game!
Manish Pandey is the first player that I’ll be getting into my side(reasons mentioned in the IPL Fantasy League section).
Now, I can only trasnfer out the Kings XI Punjab players from my side, as all other players have a match either today or tomorrow. Glenn Maxwell could make way for either of the big 3 from the Gujarat Lions side. It is a huge risk but could be worth taking, as Gujarat play another game on Sunday afternoon. Completely on the basis of form, I would suggest you to get BMac in. But if you are not too sure, I would suggest that you save the transfer.
I won’t be making any other substitutions for this game!
Batting Star: Manish Pandey/Suresh Raina(whoever bats first)
Bowling Star: Andrew Tye/Kuldeep Yadav(whoever bowls first)
