IPL Fantasy cricket, RCB vs RR, KXIP vs CSK: Pointers to remember for success

While we wait for another doubleheader, fans will be keen on not watching a repeat of Saturday's show in Kolkata.

Here are certain things to consider while you sit down to make your fantasy team. Not an easy job when there are four teams playing!

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How will Short fare against spin?

D'Arcy Short will be itching to make amends finally after getting run out in agonising fashion in the first two games.

But with the Chinnaswamy once again appearing to aide spin a little, how comfortable will he be against the likes of Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal? That remains to be seen.

With confidence also slightly low after those two games, Short's inclusion seems to be a bit edgy. If Rajasthan Royals bat first, picking him wouldn't probably be useful with more turn expected while the sun is out at 4 PM but if the visitors are to chase, Short might come in handy with conditions becoming slightly better to bat.

Short's wrist spin can also come in handy in this case. Rahane meanwhile has always struggled on slower surfaces, so unless the other Chinnaswamy strip is full of runs, Rahane is better off being out of the picture for your fantasy team.

Time for Ben to shine

Shorter boundaries, loads of spin to face, slower surface to contend with, I think things are falling in place for Stokes to shine with both bat and ball.

With the boundaries appearing shorter, Stokes will look to impose himself on the spinners and if Royals promote him again, this could turn out to be a brilliant investment.

Also remember, Stokes with his variations will be a threat on this surface with the ball in his hand as well. I had advised against picking Stokes recently but I think the time has finally come for the big man to deliver.

Kohli will be eager

It's the most ridiculous job ever when it comes to fantasy. When you have a top four of McCullum, De Kock, Kohli and ABD, the fans are always going to be tempted to pick all four but it's just plain stupid.

You have to be smart enough and hope for luck to be on their side, back your instinct and see how you fare. After ignoring Kohli in the first two games, I finally decide to pump some money in for the skipper. Surely, he can't fail three times in a row?

He did look good against KXIP until the moment he got foxed by Mujeeb. This bowling lineup is much weaker though

Last chance for Yuvi?

Where does Yuvraj Singh go after the two disastrous starts? He is not the player he once was. That's for everyone to see. He is not getting young either. And he is keeping Manoj Tiwary out of the side.

So how long will KXIP persist with him? While we think about these questions, Yuvraj has time and again proved himself in the past when there were questions raised against him.

As a fighter, he loves proving everyone wrong whenever he is on the verge of being written off and with so much pressure on him, Yuvi might just go out there and give his best in front of his home crowd.

Gamble by picking him once, if he fails again, make sure he isn't getting another route into your side.

Nair should get the nod

Yes, we all know that KL Rahul is in fine form but Karun Nair was effective in whatever role he has been assigned so far.

And considering he is a fine player of spin, expect the onus to be on him once again to guide the innings in the event of an early collapse.

With CSK expected to field at least three spinners in their XI, Nair' will be key and he will most likely succeed. So invest in this man and reap the rewards.

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