IPL Fantasy League 2016 Tips: GL vs KXIP and RPSG vs MI

I haven’t used the usual format, with the rain and Fandromeda’s bizarre deadline affecting most of the teams in one way or the other. Also, one very important thing that I have to clarify is the analysis and predictions here are done based on the possible nature of the deck that a particular match is going to be played on.

If it changes, like it has happened 3 out of last 4 times with Mumbai, Pune and Delhi preferring to dish out some of the flattest of decks I have ever seen, everything changes. So, adapt accordingly. It doesn’t really make sense to have a go at me for something I couldn’t have seen coming.

Gujarat Lions vs Kings XI Punjab

Batting captaincy options – Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum and Shaun Marsh

Smith basically has three weaknesses – swing, pace and leg-spin. There is no real pace bowler here unless you still consider Mitchell Johnson as one. They could, however, have swing in the form of Sandeep Sharma. It only becomes a factor to be concerned about if they double up the dose by bringing in Kyle Abbott, who usually does something with the new ball moving in and out.

Pardeep Sahu’s leg-spin could be too little and too late by the time he comes into the attack.

McCullum seems to lose his wicket at the first sight of spin. Axar Patel isn’t someone who will turn the ball, so he won’t be an issue to the Kiwi; Sahu or K Cariappa could turn out to be his biggest threat.

Shaun Marsh has to open to convert his 40s and 50s, while Suresh Raina and Murali Vijay could be decent bets for 100 points each.

Bowling captaincy options – Dwayne Bravo and Mohit Sharma

No rocket science here – two bowlers who bowl at the death. I will go with Bravo as he is playing for a far better team and hence is expected to get cheap wickets due to the pressure created.

Nature of the deck – Flat

Uncapped picks – Manan Vohra (1), Pravin Tambe (2), Pardeep Sahu (3) and Shivil Kaushik (4)

GL – Fantasy clinchers

Ishan Kishan has been doing pretty much nothing in this line-up. Lions could instead use that spot to bring in someone like Eklavya Dwivedi, who has racked up some impressive numbers in the domestic circuit.

If there is an attack that’s tailor-made for Raina to fire despite his weaknesses, it is Kings XI. Should he fail today as well, there is no point of him playing.

Their bowling attack has come under attack the last three matches conceding 180, 171 and 195 runs respectively. Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith have ridden their luck in helping them win all these encounters, but they can’t be fortunate all the time.

KXIP – Fantasy Clinchers

Mitchell Johnson is done – I don’t remember the last time the Australian pacer did anything of note in an IPL match. Kings XI Punjab have to let him go. Usually, I prefer Stoinis among the options they have, but today I would love to have a bowler who can get the Lions’ openers out. So, bring in Abbott and hope Sandeep and him make early inroads. The Lions’ middle order is weak, If it happens, they could pull off a surprise today.,

Glenn Maxwell factor – The Maxwell that played against Mumbai Indians is the Maxwell I saw in the Big Bash League this year – start an innings off playing orthodox cricket. If he continues to play like that, he is an option worth considering, but we have all seen enough of him to know why he is not someone who can be trusted. I can wait on this.

Killer Miller to return? – One of the Kings XI’s brightest spots last season was Miller’s form. This year, by making him captain, they seemed to have taken it away from him. Now that he has been relieved of the duty, we could be in for some fun.

Open with Shaun Marsh – Use the guy who could give you the big scores. It doesn’t matter if Manan Vohra gets sacrificed in the process.

Match call – Gujarat Lions clear favourites. Kings XI stand a chance if Abbott replaces Johnson.

Rising Pune Supergiants vs Mumbai Indians

Batting captaincy options – Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith and Ambati Rayudu

I don’t think it makes sense to look beyond Rohit Sharma considering the fact he is going to face possibly the worst bowling unit of the IPL on a good batting wicket. Rahane could, as usual, help himself to a half-century. I don’t expect Smith to repeat his performance against an in-form bowling attack. Besides that, he needs to come in early like he did against the Lions.

Rayudu could be delayed by Parthiv Patel and then I will also have to hope he doesn’t throw his wicket away like he usually does.

Bowling captaincy options – Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell McClenaghan

I can’t waste a transfer on McClenaghan for just one match, so it has to be Bumrah.

Nature of the deck – Flat

Uncapped picks – Murugan Ashwin (1) and Krunal Pandya (2)

RPSG – Fantasy Clinchers

Open with Peter Handscomb – I don’t see a role for him in the middle order when Pune has two solid batsmen in Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith who would eat up most of the deliveries up front. Promote him and make him face what he is most comfortable against – pace. And a good batting wicket like the one we saw against Gujarat Lions will only improve his chances of doing well.

Play on a turner at home – They almost got the better of Kolkata Knight Riders playing on a wicket that assisted their spin bowlers. That says something – it’s their best chance of being competitive. Switch to that deck, especially for this match. Krunal Pandya doesn’t spin the ball and Harbhajan can be nullified by right-handers.

MI – Fantasy clinchers

Mumbai Indians are eventually going to pay a big price for sticking with two overseas bowlers even on wickets that doesn’t offer anything for pacers. The sooner they realise it, the better it is for them.

Play Shreyas Gopal if the wicket is slow – Harbhajan hasn't been at his best while Krunal is more of a bowler who bowls limiting lines. They will be found wanting on dry wickets with these two. Gopal is possibly the only spinner that can spin the ball – get him in.

Match call – Flat deck, Mumbai to roll over Pune. Turner, be prepared for a surprise if Mumbai don’t play Gopal.