IPL 2014: Fantasy Guru - The uncertainty surrounding Mumbai Indians players

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Guru’s team after the KKR vs. SRH match

Kings XI Punjab vs. Delhi Daredevils:

Possible inclusions:

Glenn Maxwell

Virender Sehwag

Imran Tahir

David Miller

Manan Vohra/Karanveer Singh/Akshar Patel

Captaincy pick – Glenn Maxwell/Dinesh Karthik/Shaun Marsh

Dinesh Karthik and Shaun Marsh: the two most assured picks for this match are already in my team. Marsh could be dropped in favour of Glenn Maxwell, though. In any case, Maxwell will make his way into my team for this match. Yes, given the way how poorly he has played the leg-spinners, he can get out to Imran Tahir. That is just one barrier, and he has no real weaknesses otherwise. So, it won’t be wise to have him out of the team.

Kevin Pietersen has finally found his touch, but then ‘form’ amounts to nothing in cricket when the opposition you face has too many tricks up their sleeve. Attacking an array of spinners on a slightly helpful wicket in a T20 match has never been Pietersen’s strength, more so when there is a left-arm spin bowler. Karanveer Singh, the leg-spinner, was too good the other night.

I won’t have Pietersen when the opposition has both a left-arm spinner and a leg-spinner. Unless one of these two get dropped, I am not considering him.

Jean-Paul Duminy bats too low. As expected, Duminy went back to No. 5 following his failures after promotion, and I don’t think they will change it again. He didn’t take a wicket, as well. It would be too silly to pick him thinking he can pick up wickets. So, he stays out.

With the exception of Imran Tahir, none of the capped bowlers from either sides can bring in points. Tahir would be an interesting addition to the team considering he bowls in wicket-taking periods, and, when the batsmen try to attack him, he has always done well. I would get him in depending on the team combination of Kings XI.

I don’t generally consider Virender Sehwag, but he looks good for this match, as the Daredevils don’t have penetrative bowlers. If Mohammed Shami and Rahul Shukla play, though, don’t pick him. They have the ability to bowl that one good ball and will find a way through him.

David Miller, if he plays, stands a fine chance to score, as well. The way the Kings XI top 3 bat, they can be two down for nothing, and, even though Wriddhiman Saha gets promoted on situations like that, it would all come down to the South African to see through.

Uncapped player pick:

Manan Vohra is the best of the lot. Then comes Karanveer Singh. Both of these two have better chances to give more points than Akshar Patel in this fixture. The reason why I say so is a left-arm spinner can be negotiated when you don’t need to take risks, but a leggie on a roll is very difficult to overcome even when you are on the defense.

There has been some assitance for the spinners in the previous matches, but it is nothing to be concerned about for the batsmen. Rishi Dhawan comes last in the pecking order.

Mumbai Indians vs. Rajasthan Royals:

Possible inclusions:

Shane Watson

Michael Hussey

Rohit Sharma

Kieron Pollard

Karun Nair/Shreyas Gopal

Captaincy pick – Shane Watson/Michael Hussey/Rohit Sharma

It is too risky to pick any of the Mumbai Indians batsmen for this match, as they will not just be trying to win the match but also do so in a thumping fashion to make sure they qualify for the knock-outs. Michael Hussey would have been the perfect choice had it been just another match. Given that he will be expected to take more risks than he actually should, he can perish in trying to go for one too many.

On the other hand, this scenario could mean Kieron Pollard gets to face more deliveries and can play his natural game. There are too many uncertainties surrounding his chances, though. What if two of Hussey, Rohit Sharma and Lendl Simmons come off and reduce the impact he can have, or if the Royals don’t set a big target?

Rohit could play a crucial role if Mumbai bat first. If at all I have to pick any Mumbai Indians batsman, I will go in with Hussey or Rohit. They are more assured and have great chances to face more deliveries.

You should have seen nothing but this edition of the Indian Premier League to value Lendl Simmons ahead of the two. He is in the midst of a purple patch, and that is never an indicator of the type of player he is.

Even the best knocks of Ajinkya Rahane won’t make an impact considering he will score them at around 125 SR. I would not have him in when he can give me only one match.

Shane Watson will bowl, and, given the Royals need to win this match to qualify for the knock-outs, he will be sent in earlier than he has been so far. Although the Mumbai Indians have a trio of spinners, I would definitely have him, as Pragyan Ojha is not in the greatest of forms and Harbhajan Singh turns the ball into him, which will make it easy.

James Faulkner leaks too many. Kevon Cooper is a far better pick than him.

Uncapped player pick

I would pick Karun Nair over Shreyas Gopal. Nair plays spinners well, and the Mumbai pace bowlers are not really threatening. With assitance from the deck, Gopal can get a couple of wickets, as well.

If not any of the two, my next pick would be Rahul Tewatia. Pravin Tambe has been struggling to make an impact of late, and Rajat Bhatia may not complete his quota, which rules him out. Sanju Samson may get demoted considering the importance of this fixture.