Two teams that don’t quite have the fanbase of the ‘elite 4’ but who look balanced enough this time round to go the distance take each other on at Mohali tonight.
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Kings XI and SRH both are coming off strong wins from their previous game and have had a good rest period to recuperate and get everything in place before their next string of matches.
Kings XI decided to unleash Chris Gayle at the Chennai Super Kings in their last game and the move paid off with the Universe Boss setting IPL 2018 on fire by bringing back the ‘old fiery Gayle’ to the fore.
The Karnataka trio of Rahul, Nair and Mayank have looked assured at the crease and have displayed some brilliant skills with the bat, striking it long without losing their shape.
The bowling too looks settled with Mujeeb providing the mystery, Tye the death overs finish and Ashwin the guile during the middle overs.
SRH too seem like a settled unit despite Warner not being part of the franchise this year. Kane Williamson has admirably gone about leading the side and the new recruit, Shakib Al Hasan has provided some great balance to the side.
Now, will Gayle come to the party again tonight or will Rashid Khan spin a web around him and the other KXIP batsmen? We’ll have to wait and see.
Let’s get to business now!
IPL Fantasy League(Fantasy Tips for KXIP vs SRH)
Transfer out: Virat Kohli, Rashid Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya
Transfer in: Shikhar Dhawan, Rashid Khan, Mayank Agarwal
Now, I already have KL Rahul and Siddharth Kaul in my side for this game.
Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb and Shakib Al Hasan are the players in my consideration set.
Aaron Finch doesn’t make the list as he has been woeful in the first two games and could find himself searching for answers during the middle once again, especially against the mystery of Rashid Khan.
Kane Williamson too misses out on the consideration set list as he hasn’t really looked to score quickly in this IPL and with the overseas limit in place, I don’t think he’ll do enough justice to my Fantasy side.
Now, Rashid Khan would be the first player that I get into my side for this game. His trickery could be lethal for that middle order comprising of Yuvraj, Finch, Stoinis and Karun Nair. Get him in, he might just run through that KXIP middle order today.
Shikhar Dhawan has been in ominous form this year, striking the ball sweetly and simply carrying on from his exploits in South Africa and the Nidahas trophy.
With Warner gone, he is the lynchpin of that SRH batting unit, and he has taken to the that responsibility very admirably.
Get him in, he could go big against KXIP today.
Bhuvi has been a very potent force for the SRH all through, however, due to the paucity of transfers I feel that getting him in at this stage could prove a little detrimental to my future plans.
Also, I get Rashid in ahead of Bhuvi as I feel that KXIP middle order is vulnerable to spin.
If you really want to get Bhuvi in, you can go in with two options, but both options would open up only if SRH bowl first, as I won’t even entertain the thought of getting Bhuvi in if SRH bowl second, as in that case I won’t be sure if he gets to use his death bowling skills to the fullest or not.
So, if SRH bowl first, you can either leave out Dhawan or Rashid and get Bhuvi in. Safest option would be to go in with Rashid and Bhuvi as they get 24 bites at the cherry and should be able to fetch you at least one wicket.
Or you could go by form and get in Dhawan and Bhuvi, both of whom have been excellent for India over the last 6 months. The choice is yours. I would still go in with Dhawan and Rashid.
For the uncapped player, I’ll bring in Mayank Agarwal who will slot into the number 3 role and could wreak havoc on his day. My team combination also forced me into the move, but I would have gone in for him any way, as I already have Siddharth Kaul in my side.
If you don’t, I would suggest you get in Kaul and not Mayank.
I won’t be bringing in any more players from the KXIP squad, despite they playing twice in two days, as Ashwin could chop and change in the next few games, so as to get the right combination, now that Chris Gayle too has been drafted in.
Gayle will be up against it tonight, as SRH have one of the best bowling line ups in the competitions.
Match Powerplayer: Rashid Khan
2nd innings Powerplayer: Shikhar Dhawan/KL Rahul(whoever bats second)
Fandromeda(Fantasy Tips for KXIP vs SRH)
Transfer out: Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav
Transfer in: Shikhar Dhawan, Rashid Khan
Now, I already have Mujeeb, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal is my side for this game.
Rashid Khan, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvi are the three players in my consideration for Fandromeda.
Rashid Khan would be the first player that I get into my side for this game, reasons for which are already mentioned in the IPL Fantasy League section.
My team combination allows me to get in only one bowler, and thus I will not be able to get in Bhuvi. Again, if you are hell bent on getting him do so only if SRH bowl first. I have explained my reasons in the IPL Fantasy League section.
Shikhar Dhawan would be 2nd pick for the game, again for the same reasons that I have already mentioned above.
Batting Powerplayer: Shikhar Dhawan(as KL Rahul faces a trickier bowling unit)
Bowling Powerplayer: Rashid Khan
