CLT20 2014: Fantasy Guru - Bank on batsmen to deliver

Barbados Tridents v Cape Cobras

Guru’s team for COB v TRI match

Transfers made – 4; Transfers remaining – 25

Ben Dunk out - Hashim Amla in
Ben Laughlin out - Neil Mckenzie (first preference)/Richard Levi in
Kuldeep Yadav out – Charl Langeveldt in
Sunil Narine out - Raymon Reifer in

Despite looking promising in both the innings, Hashim Amla has failed to convert them to bigger scores and, in turn, has become a disappointment from fantasy perspective. However, that is no reason to have him out, especially when the match is being played on a good batting deck against a run-of-the-mill bowling attack. Richard Levi looked exciting and at ease in the last match, and hence he makes his way into my team, as well.  The 26-year-old stocky South African could be outsmarted by Jeevan Mendis, but, given that the leg-spinner will take at least 6 overs to come into the attack, it is worth the gamble.

Charl Langeveldt against an inexperienced batting attack is always worth a shot, as he excels at both bowling up front and at the death. Normally, I wouldn’t make so many substitutions when the team doesn’t play its second match any sooner: Cobras next play after 4 matches. But, with the next two matches being scheduled at Bangalore and the weather looking no good, I need to make sure I don’t accumulate too many that they are in excess with not many matches to make use of. With Bangalore, you never know, though.

From the Barbados side, yes, Dilshan Munaweera went all guns blazing last time around. Given the type of player and how young he is, it is never a safe bet to bank on him, more so against a potent bowling attack. Raymon Reifer, on the other hand, looked composed and aggressive at the same time. Not sure what the West Indies are doing with talents such as this back home. Even against spinners, he looked like he belonged, and all these in what could have easily been his first match in India. The tall southpaw, therefore, walks in, as well. 

Ravi Rampaul is highly unpredictable, while Jason Holder isn’t up there, yet. If Neil Mckenzie is included, I would have him in, ahead of Levi. 

Captaincy pick: Charl Langeveldt

Kings XI Punjab v Northern Knights

KXIP v NK

Transfers made – 3; Transfers remaining – 22

Hashim Amla out - Anton Devcich in
Richard Levi out - Glenn Maxwell in 
Charl Langeveldt out - David Miller in

Northern Knights’ bowlers have enough ammunition in them to get through the Kings XI Punjab top 3, which means it will all be up to Glenn Maxwell and David Miller to see them through. Hence, I would have both of them in. Thisara Perera and George Bailey bat too low to place any trust on them, while Akshar Patel would be up against either left-handers (read: Anton Devcich or Daniel Flynn) or good players of spin bowling (read: Kane Williamson and BJ Watling).

With Williamson and Trent Boult already in my team, I bring in Devcich, as he could go big against a bowling attack that lacks new ball skills.

Even if Maxwell and Miller fire, unless Kings XI play the leg-spinner Karanveer Singh, I don’t see how they are going to tackle the Knights’ batsmen, who have been exceptional so far, apart from that match against Hobart Hurricanes.  

Captaincy pick: Glenn Maxwell

Dolphins v Lahore Lions

LL v DOL

Transfers made – 2; Transfers remaining – 20

Kane Williamson out - Mohammad Hafeez in
David Miller out - Ahmed Shehzad in

Morne van Wyk is already in. While Aizaz Cheema would struggle to make a big impact on that deck, I couldn’t do much about it as he, too, is in my team. With that in mind, the other players that I would like to have in are Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez. There are couple of factors going against Umar Akmal: his role as a specialist wicket-keeper, leading to formation issues, and the chances of him getting demoted down the order. 

Cameron Delport did look promising, but two off-spinners could be a little too much for the left-hander, given Hafeez almost always opens the bowling. 

Both the sides need to make the new ball count, else they have to be prepared to travel a long distance, particularly Dolphins. If Dolphins manage to do that, they could bring in Umar Akmal into play early, thereby messing up my plans. Ideally, though, Shehzad and Hafeez should boss the game, escaping Kyle Abbott’s new ball spell.  

Captaincy pick: Mohammad Hafeez

Chennai Super Kings v Perth Scorchers

CSK v SCO

Transfers made – 3; Transfers made – 17

Mohammed Hafeez out - Adam Voges in
Ahmed Shehzad out – Craig Simmons in

Morne van Vyk out - Mitchell Marsh in

With the likes of Jason Behrendorff, Joel Paris, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Yasir Arafat, Perth Scorchers’ fast bowlers have it in them to go through the Chennai Super Kings top order. I hardly have a choice, though. With Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith and Suresh Raina already in my team, there is no use pondering over that. Of the top 3, Smith has the least chance to play a productive knock, while Raina has the best. However, all three of them, with a bit of luck, can wreak havoc, too, considering the nature of the deck.

The kind of knock that Adam Voges played against Kolkata Knight Riders in his last match showed what kind of form he is in, while Craig Simmons looked in as good a touch till he got outfoxed by Kuldeep Yadav. The MS Dhoni-led team, however, don’t have any spinners of that class, and therefore nothing should stop the big hitter from giving us good returns. So, both these openers combined with MItchell Marsh, all make their way into my team. 

I expect a plenty of runs in these four fixtures, which is why I have roped in all their best batsmen, best, in the sense, from fantasy perspective. If things go according to plans, this could sky rocket my team into the top 1500 and even more if a couple of captaincy decisions go my way.

Captaincy pick: Suresh Raina