Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019-20: Round 4, Elite Group A & B, Punjab vs Haryana, Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The Round 4 game of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019 between Punjab and Haryana will be hosted by Motibaug Cricket Ground, Vadodara

The match starts at 9:00 AM local time (IST) (3:30 AM GMT).

Preview:

Punjab and Haryana look to register their first win of the 2019-20 season as they face each other in a Round 4 clash on Wednesday. Both teams’ fixtures have been scheduled in Vadodara, where rain has had its say. Punjab and Haryana are yet to feature in a completed game although they have taken it to the field before rain had the last laugh.

Punjab will not avail the services of Shubman Gill, who is included in the Indian Test squad against South Africa. Nevertheless, they have a well-rounded team with a formidable bowling unit capable of challenging any opposition. Similarly, Haryana will also bank on its spin trio of Jayant Yadav, YuzvendraChahal and captain, Amit Mishra.

As is the case all over Vadodara, rain is expected to have the final say although the two teams in the spotlight hope otherwise. With time running out for either side, a win is firmly on their minds. Heading into the game, Punjab will ideally fancy their chances with as many as five players possessing international experience with Siddarth Kaul and Sandeep Sharma expected to spearhead the bowling unit.

Weather Condition/Report:

Rain could play spoilsport for this game as well with the chances of this match completing being bleak. Thunderstorms are predicted during the course of the game with a cloud cover of 94% at the start of the game, according to AccuWeather.

Pitch Condition/Report:

Although there haven’t been many matches played at this venue, run-scoring should be relatively easier for both sets of batsmen in case a match does take place. With the amount of rain that Vadodara has been experiencing over the last week, fast bowlers could find some help as well.

Average first innings score: N/A

Record of chasing teams: N/A

Injury and Availability News:

Shubman Gill is not available from this game as he has with India’s Test squad for the South Africa series.

Probable Playing XIs:

Punjab:

Prabhsimran Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Anmolpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh (C), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Sharad Lumba, Anmol Malhotra (WK), Siddarth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma, Mayank Markande, Karan Kaila

Bench: Ramandeep Singh, Akul Partap, Baltej Singh

Haryana:

Nitin Saini (WK), Harshal Patel, Chaitanya Bishnoi, Arun Chaprana, Pramod Chandila, Himanshu Rana, Jayant Yadav, Sumit Kumar, Amit Mishra (C), Ankit Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal

Bench: Rahul Tewatia, Ajit Chahal, Rohit Pramod Sharma, Yashu Sharma, Aman Kumar

Top Picks:

Anmolpreet Singh played only three games in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19 due to the array of stars Punjab had in their possession. Nevertheless, the India A regular scored 314 runs at a staggering average of 104.67. Chaitanya Bishnoi is one of Haryana’s best prospects with five fifties so far in his List A career. Harshal Patel has evolved into a pinch-hitting all-rounder for Haryana and will be key to their fortunes against Punjab.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Abhishek Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Chaitanya Bishnoi

Vice-Captain – Anmolpreet Singh, Siddarth Kaul, Harshal Patel

Batting at the top of the Punjab order, Abhishek Sharma’s explosiveness and handy left-arm spin are valuable assets to the Punjab side.

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper –Anmol Malhotra

Batsmen –Anmolpreet Singh,  Himanshu Rana,  Nitin Saini, Chaitanya Bishnoi (VC)

All-Rounders – Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Abhishek Sharma (C)

Bowlers – Sandeep Sharma,  Siddarth Kaul, Harshal Patel, YuzvendraChahal

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Prabhsimran Singh

Batsmen – Anmolpreet Singh, Himanshu Rana, Chaitanya Bishnoi, Mandeep Singh

All-Rounders –Abhishek Sharma  (VC), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Jayant Yadav

Bowlers – Sandeep Sharma (C), Siddarth Kaul, Harshal Patel

Expert Advice:

All-rounders and top-order batsmen are the key on this surface with a rain-curtailed game on the cards. Abhishek Sharma is one all-rounder whose left-arm spin can yield a wicket or two and also contribute some runs with the bat.

Similarly, the new ball bowlers will also get some swing upfront which Sandeep Sharma and Siddarth Kaul set to enjoy the conditions in the powerplay overs.

Probable Winners:

This game is also in danger of being washed out although Punjab walks into this game as the clear favourites over Haryana.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.