IPL fantasy cricket, MI vs RCB: 5 suggestions to succeed
Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore have produced some memorable matches over the years. Will we see one more at the Wankhede on Tuesday? Both teams are stacked with some exciting players and if the Wankhede plays true to its potential of being a high-scoring venue, expect fireworks from both ends.
As the two struggling sides collide, you can create your own fantasy teams on StarPick. It has a lot of exciting features along with millions in prize money. You can create your StarPick team here.
More fireworks mean more points in fantasy. With StarPick giving you plenty of options to explore, give yourselves the best chance of winning the top prizes. Here are some suggestions for this big clash:
1. Change in personnel for RCB?
After losing two in three, RCB will be desperate for a win here. McCullum and de Kock have impressed in patches but not in tandem. So there could be a small change in personnel for this big clash.
Expect Kohli and Vettori to make way for Parthiv Patel at the top by dropping either de Kock or McCullum. They haven't been bad so it will be hard on them but RCB might opt for this route in order to bring in either Corey Anderson or Colin de Grandhomme in order to beef up that lower middle order. At a venue like the Wankhede, it appears to be essential.
So why not bring someone like Parthiv who had a very good season with Mumbai at this venue last time? So picking either de Kock or McCullum can cost you points considering there is an uncertainty over their spots.
2. Managing Kohli and AB
We are talking about two expensive players here. It's every single user's dream to accommodate both these superstars but considering their high price tags, it's possible to include only one unless you sacrifice in other areas. And if you indeed choose to sacrifice, then your chances of winning are less unless both Kohli and de Villiers have a freakish game.
After what we witnessed at the Wankhede the other day, one will be tempted to include both but what happens if MI bat first and do not post a big total? Their batsmen haven't exactly set the tournament on fire so far.
In such a scenario, de Villiers will be of little use since you can expect the RCB top order to do the bulk of the scoring. If RCB bat first or lose early wickets in a chase, then that will bring de Villiers into the equation.
Ideally, it's better to play it safe and include just Kohli. If you want to take a gamble, surround these two with the likes of Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Sarfraz Khan to put together a decent team.
3. No finger spinners
A big NO! Looks like the Wankhede is back to its best proving to be a huge nightmare for bowlers. Finger spinners, in particular, will find it even harder with the dew settling in.
So someone like Washington Sundar or Pawan Negi will find it hard to succeed on this surface so invest less on spin. Markande over Chahal seems to be safer, cheaper option.
4. Lewis is a key figure
He started off with a duck but is slowly getting into his groove. And when Evin Lewis gets into his groove, there is going to carnage all over. On a batting friendly wicket, against a team that doesn't boast of any intimidating fast bowlers, Lewis could well feast on this attack and make big runs.
He already looked good the other day striking four sixes and four fours in his 28-ball stay. If he bats any longer, the chances of you raking in the moolah is very high.
5. Don't invest in Bumrah
Don't get me wrong! Bumrah is a brilliant bowler. He is someone who commands a lot of respect from the opposition. Teams look to play him out before taking on the others and he is extremely good at the death as well. But unfortunately, he hasn't been at his element so far in this year's IPL.
And more importantly, he isn't someone who is going to fetch you loads of wickets. Dot balls and a low economy rate is fine but you still need wickets for big points. Especially if you are going to spend big on someone, you better ensure it's worth it. For the moment, Bumrah is a gamble that's not worth taking.