Delhi Daredevils have defied logic all through the IPL. In a format where chasing has become the norm, DD opted for a completely opposite approach, choosing to put runs on the board, and give their supreme bowling attack a chance to strangle the opposition in the second innings. It’s easy to go with the flow sometimes, to indulge in things that have become the norm, but to trust your analysis, to trust your own strengths and go against the normal flow requires a shrewd leader, something that Zak/Dravid have been all along.
Delhi Daredevils chose to bat on a Kotla track that has been great for chasing this season. But the sudden increase in temperature in the capital and the wear and tear of 4 quick games, resulted in the pitch being a little on the slow side, something that DD wanted to exploit in the second innings.
Also Read: Match between GL and DD was fixed!
It was Karun Nair’s turn to embrace the big stage last night. So much faith was put into the young Karnataka lad despite he having a rather torrid time this season. First he was pushed up the order to open the innings and later handed over the reigns when Zak suffered an injury. The openers role, the captaincy and the faith put in him by the team management egged him on to shed all those ‘self doubts’ that had creeped in during the lean period post the 300.
These 160 games have turned out to be far more interesting than all the other high scoring ones, as bowlers have played a part too, apart from mercilessly being tonked to all parts of the ground.
RPS were in the game all along, with Smith initially anchoring the innings and Stokes taking the attack to the opposition in the middle overs, but it all just fell apart when Dhoni was run out due to a freak error in judgement from him while running for an easy single. Manoj Tiwary fought right till the end but was unable to muster those last over heroics to pull his side through.
Also Read: 10 of the biggest altercations in IPL history
Last night’s loss for RPS means that the final weekend of the league stage is going to be a nerve wracking one, with 4 teams vying for those 3 playoff spots(Mumbai have already qualified)
Gujarat Lions vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
With this being the last time that the Gujarat Lions take the field as an IPL franchise, they players and the team management would be hoping to end things on a high. So, the party spoiler threat just goes up a notch when you realise that this is their last game as a franchise.
SRH will seal that playoff spot with a win tonight, but a loss would mean that they would be hoping that RPS beat KXIP in their final league encounter. But who doesn’t like to keep things under their own control. SRH would be hoping that they can change their ‘away’ fortunes, and seal the deal tonight itself.
Let’s get to business now!
IPL Fantasy Tips on the next page:
IPL Fantasy League(Fantasy Guide for GL vs SRH)
Transfer out: Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Tripathi
Transfer in: David Warner, Ankit Soni
Now, I already have Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Basil Thampi in my team for this game.
On a flat Kanpur deck, the first transfer that I’ll be making is getting David Warner into my side. The Lions don’t boast of a very sound bowling attack and with spinner that can take the ball away from Warner, it’s a no brainer really. Get him in!
The Suresh Raina conundrum hangs loosely in front of me and it is very tempting to catch hold of the bait given the kind of surface in Kanpur, but I would opt out of bringin him in because of Rashid Khan, who gave him a torrid time when the two team met earlier this season. Hopefully Rashid will get Raina’s number today as well.
I won’t be making any other transfers for this game.
If you can, do get in Moises Henriques, who could be a real game changer today, now that he is back to batting at number 3. Apart from him I won’t advise you to go for any transfers for this game.
For the uncapped player I’ll be bringing in Ankit Soni, as I have just 600,000 in the kitty. If you do have 750,000, I would advise you to get in Ishan Kishan who has been in supreme touch at the top of the order.
Captain: David Warner
Fandromeda Fantasy Tips on the next page:
Fandromeda(Fantasy Guide for GL vs SRH)
Transfer out: Mohammad Shami, Axar Patel, Sanju Samson
Transfer in: Suresh Raina, David Warner, Bhuvi
Now, I don’t have any player from this game in my side, so I’ll have to go a little shopping today.
David Warner and Bhuvi would be my first picks for the game. Both these stalwarts have flourished in their respective roles and it would be criminal to avoid them at this crucial juncture, especially when you have put so much faith in them all through.
Suresh Raina would be my third pick for this game. With Nehra most certain to miss out, the SRH attack doesn’t seem very potent. On a flat Kanpur track, Raina should be able to help himself to an easy 50, thereby giving you a minimum of 70 points, a transfer that is worth gold at this stage.
Now, if you want to go for that little extra, I would suggest going in for Moises Henriques. Back to batting at number 3, Moises could gift you with 70-80 points easy.
Batting Star: David Warner
Bowling Star: Bhuvi
