Ranji Trophy 2018-19 Semi-Final, Saurashtra vs Karnataka: Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates & Fantasy Cricket Tips - January 24th, 2019

It's the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 semi-finals and we have two powerhouse teams in Karnataka and Saurashtra facing off each other on Thursday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

With both teams packed with batting talent along with youth and exuberance, they will be looking to do well with a place in the final at stake. It won't be easy for the favourites, Saurashtra, against the likes of Manish Pandey and Karun Nair, but with one of the world's best, Pujara in their ranks, any team can feel optimistic about their chances.

No matter what the outcome might be, we are in for five thrilling days of test cricket without any doubt.

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Squads to choose from:

Karnataka:

Manish Pandey (C), Shreyas Gopal, R. Vinay Kumar, D. Nischal, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Samarth R, Mithun A, Ronit More, Gowtham K, Prasidh M Krishna, Siddharth KV, Suchith J, Sharath BR, Sharath Srinivas.

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 Sanadia, Kishan Parmar and Jay Chauhan.

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Playing XI Updates:

Karnataka:

Mayank Agarwal is set to return for Karnataka and should be slotted instead of Dega Nischal. Along with Agarwal, all eyes will be on Manish Pandey and Karun Nair, who are yet to fire in unison in the tournament.

Vinay Kumar and Krishnappa Gowtham provide the balance to the side with both of them doing well in the quarter-final.

Possible XI: Agarwal, Samarth, Siddharth, Nair, Pandey(C), Gopal, Sharath(WK), Gowtham, Vinay, Mithun and More.

Saurashtra:

After pulling off the highest run chase in Ranji Trophy history, Saurashtra will be backing their chances of beating Karnataka and moving on to the final.

They should field the same side with Pujara and Jackson batting in the middle order to provide the much-needed stability. Jadeja has 36 wickets in eight matches and he will be crucial to their fortunes.

Possible XI: Patel(WK), Desai, V. Jadeja, Pujara, Jackson, Vasavada, Mankad, Makvana, D. Jadeja, Unadkat(C) and Sakariya.

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Fantasy Tips and Suggestions:

Wicket-keeper: While both keepers in good form, Sharath and Snell Patel are very useful options to go by. But with the new ball pairing of Vinay Kumar and Mithun kept in mind, Snell Patel isn't an assured option which could pave the way for selection of Sharath.

Batsmen: Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson are the most dependable batsmen in the Saurashtra line-up and are must haves in the team.

With the return of Mayank Agarwal to the top of the Karnataka batting, two of Agarwal, Nair and Pandey will suffice and bring much-needed points as well.

All-rounders: Krishnappa Gowtham's off-spin and batting prowess down the order paves the way for his selection into the fantasy team. Kamlesh Makvana is also a good option to go for.

Bowling: Jaydev Unadkat, Vinay Kumar, D. Jadeja and Abhimanyu Mithun are the best options to go for with all of them in good form as well. Of the above quartet, all eyes will be on Jadeja who has been brilliant with the ball in hand and has wrecked oppositions at will. Ronit More is also a handy option.

Captain: Cheteshwar Pujara and Karun Nair are viable options for the captain. Pujara is coming off a brilliant Australian tour where he out-batted the Aussies into submission and should be preferred as captain.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: B.R Sharath(WK), Cheteshwar Pujara, Sheldon Jackson, Vishvaraj Jadeja, Karun Nair, Manish Pandey, Krishnappa Gowtham, Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, Jaydev Unadkat and D. Jadeja. Captain: Cheteshwar Pujara.

Fantasy Suggestion #2: Snell Patel(WK), Cheteshwar Pujara, Harvik Desai, Mayank Agarwal, Ravikumar Samarth, Krishnappa Gowtham, Kamlesh Makvana, Vinay Kumar, Ronit More, Jaydev Unadkat and D. Jadeja. Captain: Karun Nair