Kolkata Knight Riders have adjusted to life under Dinesh Karthik very admirably, clicking as a collective unit despite not having a proven Indian core.
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Credit has to go to Rana and Karthik, who have been exceptionally consistent in the middle order, soaking up all the pressure and doing the simple things right to take KKR over the line.
Bowling has always been KKR’s strength and that continues to be so, as the spin trio of Narine, Kuldeep and PC have strangled the opposition during the middle overs along with picking up crucial wickets.
KXIP have been buoyed by the ‘Universe Boss’ well and truly gracing the IPL this time round.
Credit has to go to Ashwin and Viru for having the acumen and the courage to inculcate Gayle into the XI, when he clearly hasn’t been in the great touch in the last year or so.
But champions know how to deliver on the big stage, and when it comes to T20 cricket, there is no bigger champion than Chris Gayle.
The middle order though is still a huge issue for KXIP, as both Yuvraj and Finch haven’t really fired until now, but they are bound to, and that is what Ashwin will be taking heart in. If KXIP can do so well, with Yuvi and Finch, imagine where they will be when these two bad boys hit the ball rolling?
Let’s get to business now!
IPL Fantasy Tips(Fantasy Tips for KKR vs KXIP)
Transfer out: Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi
Transfer in: Chris Gayle, Nitish Rana
Now, I already have Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal in my side for this game.
As far as Russell is concerned, if you don’t already have him, get him in only if KKR bat first, as he is apparently struggling with that hamstring injury and hence might not bowl.
Over to the biggest conundrum of this game, do we get in Chris Gayle or try fighting with fire by keeping him out once again?
Law of averages tell me that Gayle can be left out, but champions defy worldly laws and thus just to be safe, I am willing to give into the ‘Chris Gayle pressure’.
Andrew Tye and Mujeeb are the next best options for this game.
Mujeeb could be brought in no matter what happens at the toss but I have a small issue with him(apart from the overseas restriction). Mujeeb bowls a little too short for my liking, something that will help him contain the batsman for sure, but he’ll find it extremely difficult to churn out wickets. I’ll leave him out at this stage.
Andrew Tye has struck form, dishing out those knuckle balls at will and bamboozling the batsmen will all his variations. If you can, get him in if KXIP bowl first, else save the transfer.
For the uncapped player, getting in Nitish Rana is an absolute no-brainer, as he has been exceptional with the bat and has delivered every time the ball has been tossed to him.
Chris Lynn is due a big score but Ashwin will do everything in his power to trouble the already troubled Aussie star. Leave him out.
Match Powerplayer: Sunil Narine(if KKR bat first)/KL Rahul(if KXIP bat first)
2nd innings Powerplayer: Sunil Narine(if KKR bowl second)/KL Rahul(if KXIP bat second)
Fandromeda(Fantasy Tips for KKR vs KXIP)
Transfer out: Ben Stokes
Transfer in: Chris Gayle
Now, I already have Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, KL Rahul, Mujeeb and Mayank Agarwal in my side for this game.
Chris Gayle would be the first pick for this game, considering his ‘fear factor’. I have already tried explaining it in the IPL Fantasy League section.
Now, Andre Russell is the other big player that could be brought in, but he didn’t bowl a single ball in KKR’s last game, which was apparently because of a hamstring injury.
But Russell is still a handful with the bat and hence you can bring him in if KKR bat first, else, save the transfer.
Andrew Tye is another option that could be explored, and if you do have enough transfers in the bag, get him in, if KXIP bowl first.
Batting Powerplayer: KL Rahul
Bowling Powerplayer: Sunil Narine
