CLT20 2014: Fantasy Guru - Get in double game players

Cape Cobras v Hobart Hurricanes

Transfers made – 0; Transfers remaining – 37

Guru’s team for the COB v HH match

With Hashim Amla and Dane Vilas already in my side and Cape Cobras not playing their 3rd match any sooner, it rules out the need to look out for any other player from the South African unit. Charl Langeveldt, at 39, still remains effective – both up front and at the death – and would have made it into my team had he fitted into the Schedule Mantra scenario.

Vilas was taken in hope that he would at no. 4, which he usually does for the Cobras, and that his team is facing units with quality seamers in their first two fixtures, who can make a dent into the top order, thereby giving more time for the middle order players; however, while the team as expected lost a couple of quick wickets, his entry was delayed in the match against Northern Knights: something, if repeated, that my team cannot afford, as it would totally nullify his effect and diminish the chances of returns.

While Hobart Hurricanes fit into a 4-match round, with them facing the Knights next, I already have three players – Ben Dunk, Shoaib Malik and Ben Laughlin – and don’t see sense in loading the team with more of them. Travis Birt, easily their best player, bats way too down the order: it is not just a tactical blunder from the team’s perspective but a huge loss for us fantasy managers, as well.

With the match being played on a flat deck, I see the Hurricanes, with plenty of ammunition, getting the better of the Cobras.

Captaincy pick: Ben Laughlin

Kolkata Knight Riders v Lahore Lions

Transfers made – 5; Transfers remaining – 32

David Miller out – Sunil Narine in

Glenn Maxwell – Mohammad Hafeez in

Yasir Arafat – Aizaz Cheema in

------- Following 2 are done to solve combination issues ------

Dane Vilas out – Dwayne Smith in

Mitchell Marsh out – Brendon McCullum in

KKR v LL

Sunil Narine and Mohammad Hafeez would be my first two picks for the match; the former, up against a line-up that could lose their minds and collapse any moment, could wreak havoc, while the latter brings in invaluable all-round skills and, escaping Narine, could contribute big time with the bat, as well. Hafeez’s value with the bat in this match depends on whether or not Pat Cummins’ plays and if both of them come up against each other in the first 6 overs. The former Pakistan national T20 captain isn’t someone who you would back against pace and swing; Dale Steyn knows it better.

Yes, Cummins got hammered last time around. But to think that it would be the case again would be silly, given the potential of the player. However, if Jacques Kallis is fit, the chances of Gautam Gambhir dropping the Australian pacer are very high. And if he does so and should the Lions find a way to manage Narine, the defending IPL champions, with their weak bowling line-up, would be in a spot of bother.

Ahmed Shehzad isn’t worth a spot when you don’t have the luxury of substitutes: takes too many risks and isn’t matured enough to handle pressure situations. The image of the Knight Riders as an imposing team, which they actually aren’t, would be enough to send Umar Akmal down the order – where he would have to face plenty of Narine, and that rules the wicket-keeper batsman out, too.

Out of Aizaz Cheema and Wahab Riaz, I opt for the former, as he bowls both with the new ball and at the death. The Kolkata-based franchise’s top order is highly susceptible against pace, and the right-arm seamer’s new ball prowess could come in handy.

Robin Uthappa, even if fit, wouldn’t be having it easy against the Pakistani pacers, who are all adept at swinging the ball. So, picking the Karnataka opener isn’t an open and shut case; to make it worse, they next play Perth Scorchers who have even better new ball options. Therefore, I would like to have him out for this round.

Ryan ten Doeschate is a tempting option. The vulnerability of the team’s top order will make sure he gets enough opportunities, but will Andre Russell be promoted ahead of him after his recent heroics? There is a possibility. Bringing the Dutch player in creates serious issues to the team combination; on second thought, is a no. 5 player with a team that shuffles around its batting options quite frequently worth the hassle? My answer would be no.

The Knight Riders’ best chance of winning the match is to clean up the top order with Cummins and nullify the Akmal-threat with Narine. if they dilute their bowling unit by roping in Kallis, they will end up opening up the match for the Pakistan domestic T20 champions.

Captaincy pick: Sunil Narine/Mohammad Hafeez wouldn’t be a bad choice, either

Chennai Super Kings v Dolphins

Transfers made – 2; Transfer remaining – 30

Hashim Amla out – Suresh Raina in

Mohammad Hafeez out – Morne van Wyk in

CSK v DOL

Dolphins do not really have an intimidating bowling unit, and you know what happens when that is the case against a line-up that has the likes of Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum and Suresh Raina. Yes, MS Dhoni, as well, but he wouldn’t be needed, I guess. I would have all 3 of them. Two of the 3 are guaranteed to give good returns, and it is literally impossible to predict who would unleash and to what extent, for this fixture. And the fact they play Lahore Lions next in a four-match round only makes it better.

The Super Kings’ bowlers never trouble me unless they play on a turner where Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja put forward a strong case for selection. Dwayne Bravo and Faf du Plessis’ services with the bat would be limited, given the matting might of the team.

With the match at Bangalore, Morne van Wyk would prove to be the X-factor for fantasy teams. A capable batsman and wicket-keeper, the pocket dynamo could go berserk on the Super Kings’ bowlers. With the exception of him, I don’t see others giving back telling returns. Khaya Zondo was impressive last time around, but, when you look at his career stats – SR of 111.34 and average of 26.80, you would understand that he wouldn’t cost you so much even on his best days.

Captaincy pick: Suresh Raina, safer bet as compared to Dwayne Smith or Brendon McCullum