Moneyball9 Fantasy Tips: Final - Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
So after 50 days of action, we are down to two teams who will be going toe to toe to be crowned IPL champions for the first time in their history. Royal Challengers Bangalore have been outstanding in the last few games and they will certainly start as favourites but do not discount the Sunrisers Hyderabad who have fought so hard to make it to the final. So with so many big names going up against each other, whom should you fill up your team with for the fantasy for one last time in this year’s IPL? Here’s an analysis:
Batsmen:
Big players step up on big occasions and after failing to make a mark in the first qualifier, Virat Kohli will be more than determined to step up on the big night. Having already scored 919 runs in the tournament, you just have to spend 10,000 rupees on him without any second thoughts. But how about David Warner? He litereally dragged them this far with an unbeaten 96 in the second qualifier but barely 48 hours will he be able to repeat his heroics? Also one would expect the RCB bowlers to be better prepared for him so picking him could backfire. The fact that he will cost you 10,000 bucks also stands against him just like in the case of Chris Gayle. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a decent record against the big Jamaican so that is another big money gamble which has a potential to let you down massively.
Shikhar Dhawan has been quite for a while so this is could probably end up being his night especially when you take the law of averages into the account. He will cost you 7500 bucks. With many of these players costing huge bucks, you will have to balance the books by picking someone who will be available on the cheap. Someone like Sachin Baby fits the bill and with SRH possessing a good bowling attack, there are chances that he could get to bat at a crucial stage in the game.
Wicket-keeper batsman:
The choice is simple! It is either KL Rahul or AB de Villiers. The selection depends on whom you pick in the batting department. If you go for Gayle or Warner over there, then you will have to settle with Rahul as your wicket-keeper since de Villiers won’t be affordable. But if AB is a must, then go only with Kohli and not the two powerful left-handers. After watching his exploits against the Lions a few days ago, obviously users will be tempted to go for the South African.
All-rounder:
Shane Watson will cost you plenty of bucks, so again that would force you to make a compromise. He has been amongst the wickets this season but hasn’t spent much time with the bat. Moises Henriques on the other hand, despite not having a great start, has been useful in the last few games with bat and ball. The fact that he bats at number three can give you the advantage in a small ground like Chinnaswamy. That can also tempt you to play someone like Deepak Hooda who is known for his big-hitting abilities. Considering he is good against spinners and the fact that RCB will look to play with two, it could be Hooda’s night. He can be used as the ‘flexibile’ option in your team.
Bowlers:
Mustafizur Rahman’s hamstring injury ruled him out in the last game and could keep him out of the big game as well. SRH might not take the risk but even if they do, will he be 100% fit? It is safe to avoid picking him at this stage and look for options elsewhere. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s excellent form should help him slot in straightaway. Barindar Sran despite being available for 3000 bucks can go for plenty on this ground. So picking two RCB bowlers who have bowled a lot over here with success is the right way to go. Yuzvendra Chahal had an indifferent outing in the last game but expect him to be at his best in the final.
Another bowler who has been impressive in recent times is Sreenath Aravind and he will also not cost a lot. Considering he can land crucial blows at the start of an innings, you can pick him. If RCB manage to post 200 batting first, the pressure can work in Aravind’s favour early on. Iqbal Abdulla might have had a great game last time with both bat and ball but he may not be able to repeat the heroics considering SRH’s top order has four left-handers.
My ideal team: Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Sachin Baby, Moises Henriques, AB de Villiers, Deepak Hooda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal and Sreenath Aravind.
DISCLAIMER: The article just contains suggestions and Sportskeeda are not responsible or liable for the outcome.