Transfers made - 0; Transfers remaining – 41
(uncapped) Basil Thampi out – Rahul Tripathi in
Uncapped preference order: 1. Rahul Tripathi 2. Mohammad Siraj 3. Siddarth Kaul 4. Shardul Thakur
Captain – David Warner
SRH – Fantasy Factors
Sunrisers Hyderabad brought in Kane Williamson against the Delhi Daredevils to counter their pace-heavy bowling attack, but with the Rising Pune Supergiant being one of the three worst bowling sides in the competition, it will be interesting to see if they stick with him or choose to strengthen their bowling department instead, which looks susceptible in the absence of Ashish Nehra and Mustafizur Rahman.
The 26-year-old’s knock at Hyderabad might give them no other choice, but it isn’t black and white. While he may have come out at No. 3 against the Daredevils, the early dismissal of David Warner meant – by role – he was playing as an opener, something he does very well for New Zealand in T20Is.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017: RPS vs SRH, Face Off
If the first wicket is delayed, say it falls only after the first 5 or 6 overs, the impact that the Kiwi can have can be severely minimised, as he doesn’t have the gears to be consistently successful outside powerplay.
If you are playing Williamson in your T20 team, you need to open with him. And the Sunrisers can’t do that, with David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan in the playing XI. This is also why I am not bringing him in today.
I already have Warner, Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan in my team. Of the four, Warner and Bhuvneshwar don’t need any explanations. While Dhawan could help himself to an easy half-century considering the deck at Pune and the bowling attack he will be facing today, you can always count on his unpredictability and leave him out. The same applies to Yuvraj Singh.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017 RPS vs SRH: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Today's probable playing 11 against Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS)
Rahane and Smith can nullify Rashid Khan’s threat, so it is not necessary that you should bring him in either. Moises Henriques’ fantasy potential has taken a severe hit with his demotion to No. 5, and this might even result in him getting dropped soon
RPSG – Fantasy Factors
Rising Pune Supergiant have thrown a new twist with the MS Dhoni promotion to No. 4 in the batting order. While I have absolutely no idea of getting Dhoni into my team at this moment, I am concerned about this making Ben Stokes unpredictable. It is advisable to not waste a transfer on the England international till you know for sure he is moving back to No. 4.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017 RPS vs SRH: Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) Today's probable playing 11 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Ajinkya Rahane is due a good knock after a disappointing last four matches. Imran Tahir could very well pick up a couple of wickets, too. I have anyway decided against getting in any of the RPSG players into my team for this match for the following reasons:
#1 They play next only after 3 matches
#2 The Dhoni promotion that hits Stokes
#3 The bizarre five batsmen only condition of the game that stops me from bringing in Steve Smith
#4 That I am not going to captain any of them
#5 The Sunrisers bowling attack that could stifle the home team from playing their best game.
If you still want to get someone, Smith is the man that you are looking for: dependable, bats at his best position, no one in the bowling unit, including Bhuvneshwar and Rashid, is equipped to handle him.
Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils
Transfers made – 1; Transfers remaining – 40
David Warner out – Jos Buttler in
(uncapped) Rahul Tripathi out – Krunal Pandya in
Uncapped preference order: 1. Krunal Pandya 2. Nitish Rana 3. Shreyas Iyer 4. Shahbaz Nadeem
Captain – Chris Morris
MI – Fantasy Factors
With the Mumbai Indians top 3 amongst runs, it doesn’t seem like Rohit Sharma will move up the order anytime soon, and I am not getting him in till it happens. As a result, Jos Buttler is the only Mumbai capped player who appeals to me. The 26-year-old also gives a wicket-keeping option, should I need it.
I have discussed enough on why I am not interested in any of the Mumbai pacers despite them performing individually at different stages of the tournament. Mumbai will be hoping they all click together when the tournament moves to the business end, though.
While the wins have masked it, that they haven’t been able to collectively put together one good bowling performance should be becoming a concern. Among Mumbai's uncapped options, I am inclined more towards Krunal Pandya than Nitish Rana for this match, as the Daredevils have too much pace for Rana to play them like he has played the other teams so far.
DD – Fantasy Factors
With Chris Morris already in my team, I don’t see the need for any other Daredevils players. The Mumbai bowling unit should sort out the DD top order. One of them could escape and go on to make a half-century, but good luck predicting who it will be.
You may see Kagiso Rabada getting a game today in place of Pat Cummins, while Corey Anderson could come back in for Angelo Mathews. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jayant Yadav keeping Shahbaz Nadeem out again, as Mumbai, like the Sunrisers, have plenty of left-handers in their top 6.
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