IPL Fantasy: Best XI to pick for today's double-header

Kolkata Knight Riders got a much-needed win yesterday against Kings XI Punjab to go level on points with them. Kolkata Knight Riders posted their highest ever IPL score (245) after they were put into bat by Kings XI Punjab. Kings XI Punjab ensured that their NRR was not badly hit by scoring 214. RCB, meanwhile remained in the hunt for a playoff spot with a win over DD. Kohli and ABD were the stars of the chase and it remains to be seen if they can carry RCB home in the three remaining games.

CSK take on SRH in the first match at Pune today. The pitch for the last game at Pune wasn’t great for batting and it remains to be seen if we will see a similar pitch today. CSK haven’t been able to finish off games which is something Dhoni talked about in his interviews. They will be looking to win today to ensure that they are closer to qualifying for the playoffs. SRH have already qualified and they might look to give chances to the youngsters.

MI face RR in the second game today as both teams are battling for a playoff spot and have both done well recently after a poor start to the campaign. The decision to send Buttler to open the innings have paid RR rich dividends while MI look like they have hit the form in the right moment. Both teams are unlikely to make any changes for this match.

Here’s our suggestion for the playing xi in today’s games (5 core players who are a must have for today’s game are marked as “CP”).

Today’s Best Eleven for CSK Vs SRH

1. Shane Watson- CP

2. Ambati Rayudu- CP

3. Kane Williamson- CP

4. Shikhar Dhawan

5. Suresh Raina

6. MS Dhoni

7. Shakib Al Hasan-CP

8. Rashid Khan-CP

9. Ravindra Jadeja

10. Harbhajan Singh

11. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar

Alternate Options

There are alternate options for the players who have not been listed under the Core players in the above eleven. You can consider these players in your team in place of those who are not core players.

1. Dwayne Bravo

2. Manish Pandey

3. Sandeep Sharma

4. Shardul Thakur

5. Alex Hales

Captain Options

1. Shakib Al Hasan – The pitch at Pune is expected to aid the spinners and Shakib will be an excellent choice as he can contribute with both the bat and the ball.

2. Suresh Raina – He made a very good fifty in the last game and looks to be in good form. And with the pitch expected to spin, he might roll his arm over for a few overs too.

Today’s Best Eleven for MI Vs RR

1. Suryakumar Yadav - CP

2. Jos Buttler – CP

3. Rohit Sharma – CP

4. Ishan Kishan

5. Sanju Samson

6. Hardik Pandya-CP

7. Krunal Pandya

8. K Gowtham

9. Jofra Archer-CP

10. Mayank Markande

11. Ish Sodhi

Alternate Options

There are alternate options for the players who have not been listed under the Core players in the above eleven. You can consider these players in your team in place of those who are not core players.

1. Ben Stokes

2. Ajinkya Rahane

3. Jasprit Bumrah

4. Mitchell McClenaghan

5. Evin Lewis

Captain Options

1. Jos Buttler – An obvious choice with the way he has been batting. Will he emulate Sehwag’s record of five consecutive fifties today?

2. Hardik Pandya – He has been doing well and amongst the top wicket takers of this IPL. He is batting higher up the order too and will contribute to your score with the bat too.