CLT20 2014: Fantasy Guru - Kuldeep Yadav on track to become Fantasy God

Hobart Hurricanes v Northern Knights

Transfers made – 0; Transfers remaining – 30

Guru’s team for the HOB v NK match

With 5 players from these two sides already in my side – Ben Dunk, Ben Laughlin, Shoaib Malik, Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, adding more players could backfire if this turns out to be an off-pattern game: A game that deviates from the expected route and turns out to be a less-rewarding one in terms of fantasy points; It could either be a low-scoring fixture or something that is packed with surprises, never good for us fantasy team managers.

Coming back to the game, one notable exclusion from my side would be Tim Southee. I have been repeatedly saying that in the main stages, a choice has to be made between Boult and the right-arm seamer. The Hurricanes are naturally equipped to play fast bowlers well, both upfront and at the death, unlike the subcontinental clubs that played in the qualifiers, and hence Tim Southee wouldn’t be such a big factor in the fixture. Boult, with his angle and incisive nature, is always a better bet.

Enough has been discussed in the previous articles about Anton Devcich, Daniel Harris and Daniel Flynn and why choosing one among of them isn’t a feasible option. When it comes to the Hurricanes, Aiden Blizzard, given that he bats higher up the order and against a side that isn’t spin heavy, puts in a strong case for inclusion. The Australian unit, though, plays its next fixture only after 6 matches, which means he needs to be transferred out as soon as he gets picked in.

In such cases, I usually get in only ‘clutch’ players, those who are of the highest class. While Blizzard is an exciting club-level player, I wouldn’t put my money on him to be consistent, more so against a bowling unit that has been firing on all cylinders. Also, the fact that he will be the fourth player from the Hurricanes’ unit, if included, plays against him.

I wouldn’t, however, advice against getting him in if you don’t have more than 4 players for this match-up like I do. Malik has been pretty poor, in total contrast to his shows in the Caribbean Premier League season with Barbados Tridents. I am stuck with him as the Hurricanes have been the fastest to play 3 games in the tournament; as a result, he has always remained attractive: value per transfer case. I hope he manages to provide some returns this time around, i.e., assuming he doesn’t get dropped from the team.

Captaincy pick: Kane Williamson

Kolkata Knight Riders v Perth Scorchers

Transfers made – 2; Transfers remaining – 28

Shoaib Malik out – Kuldeep Yadav in

Ben Dunk out – Yasir Arafat in (only if KKR bat first)

KKR v SCO

Perth Scorchers’ batsmen, in all likelihood, would have a terrible time out there in the middle in this encounter, with Kolkata Knight Riders now going in with both Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep was nothing short of phenomenal on his debut, with the Lahore Lions’ batsmen, comparitively much better than, say, the Scorchers in facing slower bowlers, having no clue about which way the ball was about to turn. Imagine what he would do to the Australians!

On any other day, I would have had Mitchell Marsh in my team; now that, coming in at No. 4, the big hitter is likely to face 8 overs of the spin duo in addition to Piyush Chawla, he will need loads of luck to come through with any degree of success. As good a talent as he is, like any other young Australian player, he isn’t yet adept in playing spinners, more so when they are anything but orthodox. If Marsh can’t make the cut, no other player would do, too.

Fast bowler Yasir Arafat, the Hurricanes’ main weapon at the death, could be amongst wickets considering the fragile nature of the Kolkata-based franchise’s batting order, which could self-destruct anytime. However, if Scorchers bat first, the Pakistani pacer would be left out, as I expect them to be bundled out cheaply, which will, in turn, affect the impact that he can have on the game. Defending lower scores would totally nullify his threat.

Coming to the Knight Riders, it would be a colossal mistake to leave Kuldeep out of our fantasy teams: one I wouldn’t do at any cost.

Uthappa was kept out of the last fixture hoping that the Lions, and subsequently the Scorchers, would attack him with pace. But, for some inexplicable reasons, the Pakistan domestic T20 champions chose to go in with spin and duly got hit all round the park. Bringing him in now wouldn’t be a wise move, as he has to be transferred out immediately, with the Knight Riders next playing only after 7 matches.

And, as I said before, he wouldn’t fit into the clutch player criteria for him to be taken in. I expect the likes of Joel Paris, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter Nile and Arafat to give him a tough time out there. Pinning my hopes on them, I will continue to have him out. Same applies to Gautam Gambhir, as well.

To find out why Ryan ten Doeschate hasn’t been discussed, read this.

Captaincy pick: Sunil Narine i

Chennai Super Kings v Lahore Lions

Transfers made – 2; Transfers remaining – 26

Sunil Narine out – Ahmed Shehzad in

Kuldeep Yadav out – Mohammad Hafeez in

CSK v LL

With Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum and Suresh Raina already in the team, the Chennai Super Kings side of it is settled. Unlike in their last fixture, the Lions will be facing a weak bowling unit, and so expect a lot of runs to be scored. That necessitates the inclusion of Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez. That they will be facing Dolphins in their next fixture, a weak bowling unit, again, which fits in the Schedule Mantra scenario, makes it an even easier option.

The only factor that plays against Umar Akmal is that he could easily be demoted to No. 5, therby reducing the number of deliveries he could face. Also, that he is listed as a specialist wicket-keeper is a majore drawback, especially with McCullum and Morne van Wyk in the set-up.

Aizaz Cheema has become a part of my core unit. While I wouldn’t expect him to return much here, I would be content if he picks up a couple of cheap wickets, which could come in handy. Faf du Plessis and MS Dhoni will have diminished roles with the bat, with the top 3 expected to take much of the playing time.

Captaincy pick: Suresh Raina