IPL Fantasy League 2016 Tips: Double game day, Match 8 SRH vs KKR and Match 9 MI Vs GL

I have been as defensive as I could so far. Except for the Royal Challengers Bangalore fixture, where AB de Villiers coming in at 3 changed the entire scenario. the ploy has worked very well. I would still back what I did with RCB for a couple of reasons: one, the method was right; and two, l had to track factors like player form, team plans, pitch behaviour and tournament pattern before getting in ‘one-match-players’. 8 times out of 10 I could have escaped, but on this occasion not so much.

Moving on, this week you will see a marked difference in my usage of transfers – to an extent that I wouldn’t mistake you for thinking I am being profligate. And it would be great if you can stop looking at points and rank this early into the tournament; only around the 35th match, you will get to know where you really stand.

Calm down and let the Sehwags have their time, for the Dhonis of the world always have the last laugh.

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Transfers made – 3; Transfers remaining – 77

Quinton de Kock out – David Warner in

Aaron Finch out – Mustafizur Rahman in

Suresh Raina out – Manish Pandey in

(Uncapped sub trick) Pradeep Sahu out – Ashish Reddy in (updated at 1.12)

Batting captain – David Warner

Bowling captain – Mustafizur Rahman

Batting captain options – David Warner, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey and Andre Russell

Russell may not have as many deliveries to make an impact as the rest and could run into Mustafizur Rahman at the death as well, which rules him out. While Uthappa does look in great touch, I can wait till he plays a really big knock to bring him into consideration. As far as Pandey is concerned, this is the best I have ever seen him bat; the key to him delivering today lies in how he deals --- yes, it is him again --- Mustafizur.

Of all the 4, Warner has the best stage to perform and is the most destructive too. Hogg is his only real threat, but considering the left-hander should have faced enough of him back in Australia, he should be able to pick his variations.

Bowling captain options – Mustafizur Rahman, Andre Russell and Brad Hogg.

Having marked Mustafizur as the danger to three of the top 4 batsmen for this fixture, it would be a farce to not have him as my bowling captain. Also, Hogg’s impact could be reduced by the true nature of the deck, while Russell mainly depends on cheap wickets.

Nature of the deck – Flat, it was one of best batting decks of the tournament last season.

KKR insights: With almost all of their players in form, the Knight Riders look well-positioned to better their last season effort. Sunil Narine is most likely to displace John Hastings in the playing XI, but I will wait till I can see how much his changed action has an impact on his game. Shakib Al Hasan could replace Munro as well, who is anyway being used poorly. In the first Knight Riders article, I had explained why I wouldn’t get in Shakib at this point; nothing has changed since, so I will stick to it.

Piyush Chawla seems to continue his dream run in the IPL after his switch to the Kolkata-based outfit, foxing opposition players with his clever variations. While he will come into my set-up mid-season, I don't see much value in bringing him in now. Poor Kuldeep Yadav could become the scapegoat for the loss against Mumbai Indians.

Sunrisers insights: Warner seems to be back at his best opening the innings. However, the Sunrisers’ progress this season will depend on how soon Moises Henriques rediscovers his last season batting form.

Ashish Nehra’s loss will not be felt much, as his replacement, Brainder Sran’s novelty should last for at least a season before he gets figured out. Bhuvneshwar Kumar had bowled an excellent over at the death before Sarfaraz happened, so don’t let that over of him cloud your belief; combine these two with Mustafizur and Henriques, their bowling attack still looks among the best in the tournament.

Uncapped picks – Deepak Hooda and Ashish Reddy

Reddy is quite underrated: has the ability to bowl an effective couple of overs and can hit him big, which probably explains why Tom Moody continues to prefer him over more celebrated young talents.

Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Lions

Transfers made – 1; Transfers remaining – 76

Andre Russell out – Jos Buttler in

(Uncapped) Robin Uthappa out – Yuzvendra Chahal in (strategical shift keeping future fixtures in mind)

Batting captain – Rohit Sharma

Bowling captain – Dwayne Bravo

MI vs GL

Batting captain options – Rohit Sharma, Jos Buttler, Aaron Finch and Brendon McCullum.

That Buttler bats in the middle order rules him out of the equation. Of the remaining 3, Rohit is the most dependable and faces a comparatively easier bowling attack; therefore, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I make him my captain. If the Mumbai captain evades Bravo, whose latest slower ball trick has fooled even the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, we should be in for a lot of points.

Bowling captain options – Jasprit Bumrah and Dwayne Bravo

Bumrah hasn’t been getting the number of wickets he deserves, but that shouldn’t take anything away from how well he has been bowling at the death. I see scope for him in the next phase, so he hangs onto his place in my team for one last time.

Mitchell McClenaghan could be an excellent differential, but with the competition for the 4 overseas spots already heavy, I don’t see how he can get into my team.

Nature of the deck: The last match played here was weird, with the deck providing plenty of help for the seamers. Given how badly Mumbai lost that match, I assume Ambanis will make sure that pitch never sees the light of day again. Back to roads.

Mumbai insights: The Mumbai juggernaut is all set to roll over anyone who comes in its way. Rohit is back in form, Buttler has cemented his place in the side with that knock against the Knight Riders, McClenaghan continues to take opposition’s best batsmen out and Jasprit Bumrah’s death bowling skills remain intact. Tim Southee could be replaced by Corey Anderson, which will only strengthen the team further.

All they need is Kieron Pollard to hit peak form, and that usually happens when they need him badly.

Gujarat insights; The Lions have been a breath of fresh air – bold, tactical and innovative. With an in-form opening duo and the death bowling skills of Bravo, on their day they could win against anyone. But we will only get to know how good they really are when both Finch and McCullum fail; the way their middle order responds should set the tone for the rest of the season.

James Faulkner is not as good as Australia think he is, but his variations should still be difficult for domestic players. The all-rounder’s turn to be amongst the points shouldn’t be far away. And given the rate at which they are making changes, we should see Shivil Kaushik and Eklavya Dwivedi getting a game soon.

Uncapped picks – Pravin Tambe, Jagadeesha Suchith

I don’t see spinners having any effect on the Mumbai deck, so I leave both of them out.

Notable exclusions for the day

Gautam Gambhir – One of the major drawbacks of Gambhir’s limited overs batting is his inability to slog pace bowlers. Against a pace heavy attack, he will be forced to do it after powerplay. I don’t see him succeeding there.

Brendon McCullum – McCullum hasn't yet given me the assurance to bring him in for one match.

Aaron Finch – I had to choose between Warner and Finch. Warner gave me a much better captaincy option as compared to Finch, who I will anyway not be captaining. Also in McClenaghan, Bumrah and Suchith, Mumbai have the arsenal to get Finch out.