IPL Fantasy 2018, KKR vs RR: 4 tips to help you score big today
For starters, let's just hope that we don't witness another one-sided affair tonight as the Rajasthan Royals take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. The last thing fantasy users want is another one-sided clash with so many points at stake. This is a vital clash for both sides so expect them to come out all guns blazing. Here are some suggestions for your fantasy team tonight:
The two key men
Rajasthan have done well to pull things back and remain in contention for a playoff spot but it has to be said that their success has largely hinged on two players. One is obviously Jos Buttler. He has been simply outstanding. I don't think anyone would have predicted him to come out and strike five successive half-centuries - two of them were almost hundreds. This is the kind of form that can give you jitters if you are the opposition.
How do you stop a man who is just scoring at will? Well, let's leave that headache to KKR and get the easier option done by picking him in our fantasy teams. He is a must. Another guy who has actually boosted RR is Jofra Archer. Yes, there have been occasions where he has leaked runs but he has also picked up vital wickets at crucial junctures. So I believe that it will be silly to ignore Jofra for this clash. These two are vital.
D'Arcy or Sodhi?
Doesn't matter who plays, you just take a punt and pick them. The conditions at Eden can assist D'Arcy Short. Smaller boundaries, good bounce on the surface can help Short finally make a significant contribution. His confidence would have taken a beating but it's now or never for the left-hander.
There is cricketing logic behind his inclusion and you can also take a punt because not many would pick him. But in case Ish Sodhi regains fitness and manages to play ahead of Short, then again, there is no harm in picking him. He is a genuine wicket-taker, a leggie who will fancy his chances against this batting lineup with the bounce on offer.
Pick Lynn and Uthappa
I know this is not going to be a very popular option but once again, it's a bit of a punt. They are both due big runs. They have both made good starts but I believe this is the bowling attack they can finally feast on. Archer has been good, Sodhi can be a threat if he plays but apart from that, the rest have struggled.
Dhawal Kulkarni and Jaydev Unadkat have failed to fire and so has Ben Stokes. K Gowtham has been decent but not threatening. So both Lynn and Uthappa can give themselves a chance to flourish against this attack on a surface they will also enjoy batting on. Anyway, all you fantasy users are picking Sunil Narine, that's a no-brainer. It's advised to have KKR's top three in your XI.
KKR's bowling attack
This actually gets trickier. Who can you pick among their bowlers? Narine picks himself but what about the rest? Shivam Mavi is a doubtful starter due to injury, Searles got hit all over the park the other day, and then there is Kuldeep Yadav who hasn't picked a lot of wickets this season.
Andre Russell's hamstring woes might prevent him from bowling today but even if he does, will he bowl his full quota? There are so many questions to answer and that's why I will personally advice you to go with the safe option of Piyush Chawla. Again, another unpopular opinion but he is severely underrated. He gets the job done silently and this season he has been very handy.