The IPL playoffs witnessed another CSK driven magical night yesterday, as Faf du Plessis pulled a rabbit out of the hat to take CSK to the IPL 2018 final.
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A spirited bowling performance from the SRH bowling unit ensured that CSK were in tatters during the middle phase of that 140 run chase.
With Dhoni being castled by Rashid Khan, it felt like a tall order for that erratic CSK middle and lower order.
Faf though was quietly going about his business at the other end, waiting for that one little outlet that would help him and CSK get that momentum into the system.
And Brathwaite’s over provided them with that, as du Plessis took him for a ride and suddenly the target looked within reach.
Shardul Thakur showed some sublime touch with those ‘edges’ and took some pressure off Faf. Faf then channelised his inner Dhoni by smacking Bhuvi for a six over his head and completing one of the finest comebacks in IPL playoff history.
We now shift our attention to Kolkata, where KKR and RR take on each other in the Eliminator. The two teams have just managed to scrape through to the playoffs and a loss tonight would mean curtains for their 2018 campaign.
On paper, KKR look the more balanced side and will have home advantage to bank on as well.
However, RR gave us a good lesson about not counting them out in the last game, wherein even without Buttler and Stokes they managed to edge out the star studded RCB unit.
Let’s get to business now!
IPL Fantasy League(Fantasy Tips for KKR vs RR Eliminator)
Transfer out: Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Shane Watson, DJ Bravo, Rashid Khan
Transfer in: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, DK/Robin Uthappa, Sanju Samson, Jofra Archer, Rahul Tripathi
Now, I already have Prasidh Krishna and Krishnappa Gowtham in my side for this game.
Sunil Narine would be the first player that I get into my team for this game, His all-round abilities are a little too much to overlook and with his form he could really tear apart RR, with both bat and ball. Get him in!
From RR, Jofra Archer would be my first pick, considering his death bowling skills and the fact that RR tried him at the top in the last game.
If he is in fact used as an opener once again, he could give you a windfall of points, just like Sunil Narine.
Dinesh Karthik and Robin Uthappa both will be able to satisfy my wicketkeeping cum batting combination issues. However, I can bring in only from them. I bring in Uthappa if KKR bat second and DK, if KKR bat first.
I do this because DK might not get to face a lot of deliveries while batting in the 2nd innings, and he might either have too much to do or too little.
Between Andre Russell and Chris Lynn I can bring in only one because of the overseas players constraint. The fact that Russell has started to bowl 4 overs, makes me tilt towards him, despite Lynn’s form.
If you still want to get in Chris Lynn, go for him only if KKR bat second.
Now, I need to get in a batsman into my side, and with so many KKR players already in my side, I will try and get in a batsman from RR. Samson seems like the best pick from all the batsmen in the RR team.
For the uncapped player, I would get in Rahul Tripathi, primarily because I have to go get in a batsman.
If you can. get in Gopal, as the Eden Gardens has been a little sluggish in the last few games.
Match Powerplayer- Sunil Narine
2nd innings Powerplayer- JC Archer(if RR bowl second)/Andre Russell(if KKR bowl second)
Fandromeda(Fantasy Tips for KKR vs RR Eliminator)
Now, I already have Rahul Tripathi and Krishnappa Gowtham in my side for this game.
My picks for Fandromeda are exactly the same as that of the IPL Fantasy League section.
Batting Captain: Sanju Samson
Bowling Captain: Sunil Narine/Jofra Archer(whoever bowls first)
