JSK vs MICT Dream11 Prediction: 3 Differentials you could pick in today’s SA20 match – January 11, 2025
The Joburg Super Kings (JSK) and MI Cape Town (MICT) go head-to-head in the 4th match of SA20 2025 on Saturday, January 11, at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. It's the second game of a Saturday doubleheader, with the Paarl Royals (PR) taking on the Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) in the first.
This is JSK's first match of the season, and they'll look to begin on a positive note in front of their home fans against a high-flying MI Cape Town. Rashid Khan and Co. obliterated defending champions SEC by 97 runs in their earlier match, bowling them out for just 77 after handy lower-order contributions lifted their first-innings total to 174.
This highly anticipated fixture should make for a thrilling encounter. Let's now look at three Dream11 differential picks from these two teams.
#3 Imran Tahir (BOWL) (JSK)
The Wanderers isn't the most conducive venue for spin bowling, but if there's someone who could get some purchase out of it and pick up wickets, it's the very experienced and skilful Imran Tahir. Set to be the first-choice spinner ahead of Tabraiz Shamsi, Tahir could be a powerful Dream11 differential, because of his extremely low ownership.
Tahir's T20 credentials need little backing, as the 45-year-old continues to go strong, featuring in 420 T20 matches, picking up 526 wickets in the process. His extensive knowledge of South African conditions provides him an added advantage throughout the tournament.
While a risky pick because of the venue and conditions, a proven wicket-taker like Tahir could end up providing his Dream11 backers with solid returns.
#2 Connor Esterhuizen (WK) (MICT)
Powerful keeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen could prove to be an excellent Dream11 differential in this fixture. Backed by MICT to bat at No. 3, Esterhuizen couldn't quite get going in their opening clash against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and could only score a 21-ball 22. However, he's likely to be backed to bat in the top-order throughout this tournament, and that is music to the ears of Dream11 players.
While his ownership is understandably low because of the presence of options such as Jonny Bairstow and Devon Conway in the wicket-keepers' department, Esterhuizen is the one donning the gloves for MICT and could pick up some handy points for dismissals behind the stumps in addition to his returns with the bat.
While risky, Esterhuizen could prove to be a game-changing differential if things click.
#1 Leus du Plooy (BAT) (JSK)
While it's unclear whether it's because of the arrival of big-name stars into the JSK roster, their highest run-scorer and best batter Leus du Plooy finds himself with very few takers on Dream11 heading into this match. The powerful southpaw has smashed 626 runs in 19 matches in the SA20, averaging 44.47 at a strike rate of 159.1.
With du Plooy an overseas player, there could even be a question as to whether he makes it to the playing XI, with Conway, Bairstow, Moeen Ali, and Matheesha Pathirana likely to be the first-choice options for the four overseas slots.
However, if he does make it to the playing XI, he could be a stellar Dream11 differential.