IPL Fantasy 2018, CSK vs SRH, 1st Qualifier: 4 tips to help you earn big today

Sanjeev
ZIMBABWE-INDIA-CRICKET
Rayudu has sizzled against SRH this year.

After a fun-filled league stage, we are getting down to the business end of the tournament. Four top teams have qualified and now it gets serious. Chennai Super Kings take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first qualifier with the winner directly proceeding to the final.

Can CSK make the final again or will SRH book their spot for Sunday's final? Who are the favourites?

It's very important to fix on your favourites to make it to the final as the composition of your XI will depend on that. Here are some suggestions for the team that you should pick for the fantasy:

The Wankhede pattern

Contrary to the popular belief, chasing at the Wankhede might not be a bad option now. We are used to seeing experts claim how important it is to chase at this venue since batting is easier in general.

With the dew also playing a huge part during the second innings, teams over the years have preferred chasing at this venue. Teams have also opted to chase more often than not in the IPL this season.

But, looking back at the pattern this season, batting first, putting up a score and asking the opposition to chase it down might work well. Especially for a team like Sunrisers, they would love to bat first here.

They defended 118 at this venue during the league stage and with a strong bowling attack in a high-pressure game, SRH would love to put up a score, even if it's just a par one, just to intimidate CSK with their bowlers.

Spin has played a role this time and that's exactly why someone like Shakib Al Hasan won't be a bad option apart from Rashid. Picking both of them might not be the greatest of ideas but it can work wonders especially if the surface slows down a touch.

From CSK's perspective though, if you are opting for a spinner, it can only be Jadeja since Harbhajan is used in a containing role.

Among the pacers, SRH have the likes of Bhuvneshwar and Siddarth Kaul who can deliver on this surface but CSK only have Bravo who can mix it up to pose questions.

So, how about the batsmen?

Consider openers and then take into account the finishers. Look to avoid the middle order as much as possible.

Right at the death, batsmen may find it easy if the dew settles in but in the middle overs, things can prove to be tricky against the spinners.

That's why I would still advice users to avoid players like Sam Billings, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan and even Suresh Raina for that matter considering CSK keep getting good starts. If Shakib and Carlos Brathwaite are their finishers, they are likely to deliver and the same goes with CSK. On current form, you wouldn't want to leave MS Dhoni out of the side.

Certainties

There are only two in my opinion! One is Ambati Rayudu. No matter where he bats, you can expect him to ease into the role and deliver.

He has been great for CSK right from the start and against SRH in particular, his record is stupendous.

He smashed them at Hyderabad first before scoring a century in Pune. So no matter what, you cannot afford to not have him because everyone else will.

The same goes with someone like Kane Williamson. The way he has batted this tournament has taken everyone by surprise.

He is now the favourite to win the Orange Cap and considering he has been scoring runs in all surfaces, in all situations, he is a must-have in that XI.

The bargain buys

Considering the heavyweights on both sides, it's imperative you balance the squad with some smart buys.

For CSK, the overwhelming option will be Deepak Chahar. If the surface assists swing, then he is going to be more than handy for three overs. And like we saw the other night, he can also use the long handle to good effect if really needed.

For SRH, I would go for Sreevats Goswami. The left-hander was mightily impressive in his first outing of IPL 2018 and I feel he has shown enough to keep Saha out of the side.

Apart from Saha, he has also done enough to keep Hales out of the side. He is going to cost less and he is going to come in handy.


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Edited by Alan John