Ranji Trophy 2018-19 Final, Vidarbha vs Saurashtra: Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates & Fantasy Cricket Tips - February 3rd, 2019

As another brilliant season of Ranji Trophy cricket comes to a close, Vidarbha and Saurashtra are the only teams that remain to contest for the historic trophy. While the defending champions, Vidarbha are the clear favourites heading into the match, Saurashtra aren't anything close to being considered as pushovers with one of the best Test batsmen in the world in their ranks.

With the game being played in Nagpur, the home side should have their task cut out as they try and defend their coveted trophy in what promises to be an exhibition of test cricket.

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Squads to choose from:

Vidarbha:

Faiz Fazal (C), Wasim Jaffer, Sanjay Ramaswamy, Ganesh Satish, Akshay Wadkar, Akshay Wakhare, Umesh Yadav, Rajneesh Gurbani, Aditya Sarwate, Mohit Kale, Suniket Bingewar, Atharwa Taide, Apoorv Wankhade, Aditya Thakare and Siddesh Wath.

Saurashtra:

Cheteshwar Pujara, Snell Patel, Harvik Desai, Sheldon Jackson, Vishvaraj Jadeja, Kamlesh Makvana, Jaydev Unadkat(C), D. Jadeja, Aarpit Vasavada, Prerak Mankad, Chetan Sakariya, Chirag Jani, Samarth Vyas, Shaurya Sanandia, Kishan Parmar and Jay Chauhan.

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Playing XI Updates:

Vidarbha:

No changes are expected after a dominant performance against Kerala in the semi-finals. Umesh Yadav is replicating Rajneesh Gurbani's 2017-18 performances in the knockout stages with back-to-back Man of the Match performances.

His ability to swing the ball at a good pace has been the key for Vidarbha and should be critical against the likes of Pujara and Jackson. Faiz Fazal and Wasim Jaffer are also in good touch and are expected to do good in the final.

Possible XI: Fazal(C), Ramaswamy, Jaffer, Taide, Sarwate, Satish, Wadkar (WK), Kale, Umesh, Gurbani and Thakur.

Saurashtra:

Saurashtra have chased down totals in excess of 250 in the quarter and semi-finals against good bowling attacks to make it to the final. Cheteshwar Pujara, along with some luck, proved why he is regarded by many as one of the best in the world with a magnificent hundred against the likes of Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun.

His wicket would be the one that Vidarbha will be after and his performance could possibly decide the fate of the match. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja has been in fine form for them and is another player to watch out for.

Possible XI: Harvik, Snell(WK), Pujara, V. Jadeja, Jackson, Vasavada, Mankad, D. Jadeja, Unadkat(C) and Sakariya.

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Fantasy Tips and Suggestions:

Wicketkeeper: Snell Patel is the ideal choice for this slot with his relatively higher batting position and current form also a key factor. His ability behind the wickets is also quite good which makes him a valuable asset to have.

Batting: Cheteshwar Pujara's inclusion is a no-brainer while two out of the Vidarbha trio of Wasim Jaffer, Faiz Fazal and Sanjay Ramaswamy would suffice. Under-19 sensation, Atharwa Taide is also one to keep an eye with many regarding him as a potential star in the international arena.

All-rounders: Sarwate and Prerak Mankad are the ideal players to have in the fantasy side with the possibility of Kamlesh Makvana also slotting in for either of them. Sarwate has been very good with the ball and with his cameos in the lower middle order, he is one to be backed to perform in the final.

Bowlers: Umesh Yadav and Jadeja are must-haves in the team with the likes of Jaydev Unadkat, Gurbani and Sakariya among the other options to round off a well-balanced fantasy team.

Captain: Cheteshwar Pujara and Wasim Jaffer are the front-runners for the mantle of captain with their record in first-class cricket proving their expertise. Other options also include Umesh Yadav and Jadeja.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: Snell Patel (WK), Cheteshwar Pujara, Faiz Fazal, Vishvaraj Jadeja, Sanjay Ramaswamy, Aditya Sarwate, Prerak Mankad, Umesh Yadav, Rajneesh Gurbani, Jadeja and Kamlesh Makvana. Captain: Cheteshwar Pujara.

Fantasy Suggestion #2: Snell Patel(WK), Cheteshwar Pujara, Wasim Jaffer, Sanjay Ramaswamy, Atharwa Taide, Aditya Sarwate, Kamlesh Makvana, Umesh Yadav, Chetan Sakariya, Rajneesh Gurbani and Jadeja. Captain: Umesh Yadav