IPL 2016: Fantasy Championship guide DD v KXIP

The student triumphed the master; that was essentially the story of last night’s game between Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants. Despite Faf’s aggressive striking and MS Dhoni’s last over heroics, RPS could just manage 163 on an above average batting wicket. When KP and Faf were batting it seemed 200 would be a bare minimum but GL for the second time in 2 games, were able to pull things back.

Then came out the two roaring Lions, Brendon McCullum, and Aaron Finch. They ate up most of the runs in the powerplay and that just set the chase up brilliantly. Finch once again scored a match winning half century, McCullum looked in sublime touch too and Bravo had a little fun with the bat in the end as well.

So, Gujarat Lions sit pretty at the top, with 2 wins out of 2. Everything has worked for them as of now but I still feel that their middle order lacks some spine. Once the openers start faltering, someone from the middle order will have to setup and I am not very sure if there is a lot of quality in there. We’ll have to wait and see. On the other hand, Dhoni felt his team combination required a little tinkering with and you could very well see Irfan Pathan in the mix next time round.

Let’s get started with today’s game then.

Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab

Delhi played a torrid first game and Punjab too ran out of fizz as the game progressed. Both these teams would like to post their first win on the board and especially Kings XI who have lost 9 out of their last 10 games in the IPL.

I already have Sandeep Sharma in my team for this game.

David Miller went ahead and promoted himself to number 3 in the batting order in the last game and if not for a DJ Bravo special, he looked set for a big one. But the fact that I can transfer out only one overseas player (keeping in mind the games coming up), I will have to weigh the other options as well.

Glenn Maxwell and Quinton de Kock are the other options that can be considered. While Maxwell has been out of sorts for some time now, QDK has had a brilliant World Cup and gives you the extra scoring option because of his wicketkeeping skills and hence I opt for QDK out for the three contenders.

Now, if you are hell bent on getting one from Maxi and Miller into your team, you could maybe transfer out DJ Bravo and do that. You’ll have trouble accommodating all the international superstars for the next Gujarat Lions game in Mumbai but what could work in your favour is that Punjab play 2 matches in the space of 4 games and thus you’ll be using the player transferred in for 2 games instead of just one. Take a call after getting the pitch report. Also, considering the other selections, you’ll have to go in with Maxi instead of Miller as you need to have at least 6 players who can bowl and bringing in Miller for Bravo upsets the team combination.

Delhi’s middle order is entirely dependent on uncapped Indian players and I wouldn’t want to bank on them so early into the tournament.

Murali Vijay seemed to be in sublime form in the last game and that is why I bring him in. Vijay has on most occasions delivered in the IPL and against an average Delhi bowling attack; I think he can score big. I bring him in at the expense of Ajinkya Rahane.

For the uncapped player, I go in with either Manan Vohra or Shreyas Iyer depending on whichever team bats first. These two are the best uncapped player bets as they bat at the top of the order and hence get to face the maximum number of deliveries.

Batting Captain: Quinton de Kock

Bowling Captain: Sandeep Sharma

Happy team picking!

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