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IPL 2018 Fantasy Guide: Fantasy Tips for RR vs KKR

Utkarsh Bhatla
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Fantasy Tips for RR vs KKR

KKR and RR pioneered the change in trend at IPL 2018, winning despite being put into bat first.

But does that mean teams that win the toss will opt to bat now? Unlikely, as the matches that have gone in favour of the teams batting first have witnessed bucketload of runs scored in the first innings.

When you bat first and get anything in excess of 200, pressure could play its role during the 2nd innings and the batsmen could succumb to it. RCB learnt it the hard way last night and against RR at home a few days ago.

The mental block regarding the toss though should have gone out of the window by now, because if you do a good enough job while batting first, you should be able to get over the line comfortably.

And this should apply to teams like KKR, who have a very good bowling unit which ought to be able to soak in and respond to the pressure during the dying stages of the game.

Teams need to keep it simple, stop following the trend and start banking on your strengths.

Let’s get to business now!

IPL Fantasy League(Fantasy Tips for RR vs KKR)

Transfer out: ABD, Rahul Tewatia

Transfer in: Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi/Mayank Agarwal

Fantasy Tips for RR vs KKR
Fantasy Tips for RR vs KKR

Now, I already have Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Nitish Rana in my team for this game.

I won’t be bringing in any KKR player for this game, as I feel that these 3 cover all ‘point providing’ aspects from the KKR franchise.

Yes, Lynn could go berserk today, but he hasn’t really looked in good touch, hasn’t been timing the ball well and has been struggling against the spinners. Thus, until I see him timing the ball a bit better, I would try and avoid bringing him in.

Robin Uthappa has looked in good touch, smoking those huge sixes over cow corner with minimal effort, but he hasn’t really been able to convert those starts into big scores.

Also, with the kind of form he is in, I would have got him in for sure in the previous seasons when he used to keep wickets as well, because that would get me an extra 20 points every game, but with him not wicketkeeping this time round, I don’t think its worth the transfer at this stage.

Rajasthan Royals play twice in two games and thus it makes more sense to bring in one of their players than go in for another KKR one.

Ben Stokes would be the first player that I bring in for this game. His all round abilities and the fact that RR have decided to send him up the order make him in an indispensable option whenever RR play.

Also, while he wasn’t given the ball during the initial two games, he was entrusted with 3 overs in the last match, out of which one was bowled at the death.

Get him in!

Now, do you bring in Sanju Samson or Ben Stokes?

Due to the paucity of transfers, I can afford to get in only one and I go in with the all rounder Stokes as he gives me multiple scoring opportunities.

Samson has been relieved of wicketkeeping duties this time round, as Buttler has taken over the gloves and hence if he fails with the bat, that’s that.

So, in order to stay a little safe and to give extract multiple scoring opportunities from the players that I bring in, I opt for Stokes over Samson.

If you have more than 55 transfers in the bag, get in both, as Samson is in the form of his life at the moment.

I won’t be bringing in any more players for this game. If you want to be a little adventurous, get in Jos Buttler, if RR bat first. He hasn’t really been able to get going this IPL, but for the talent and skill that he possesses, his day isn’t far away.

For the uncapped player, I get in Rahul Tripathi, if D’arcy Short is left out(and RR bat first), as only then will he be entrusted with that opener’s role, else he could be deployed at that number 7 position, where it doesn’t really make sense.

If D’arcy Short continues to play, you could get in Mayank Agarwal from the next game(KXIP vs SRH).

Match Powerplayer: Sunil Narine

2nd Innings Powerplayer: Ben Stokes

Fandromeda(Fantasy Tips for RR vs SRH)

Transfer out: Evin Lewis, ABD

Transfer in: Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson

Fandromeda Fantasy Tips for RR vs KKR
Fandromeda Fantasy Tips for RR vs KKR

Now, I already have Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav and Chris Lynn in my side for this game.

After a few days of head scratching over my Fandromeda side, today is the first day when I have it easy here as I can bring in both Ben Stokes and Sanju Samson into my side without any issue.

If you want to be going in for a differential, you could go in with Uthappa but with my team stacked up with 4 KKR players already, I would advise you to leave him out.

Batting Powerplayer: Chris Lynn

Bowling Powerplayer: Sunil Narine

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