Indian T20 League 2019, Match 52: Kolkata vs Punjab – Fantain and Dream 11 Fantasy Cricket Tips

After six consecutive defeats, Kolkata broke their losing streak against Mumbai at home, on the back of Andre Russell’s bat. Their 34-run win over Mumbai has still kept them in the hunt for the playoffs. Kolkata will have to win both of their remaining games, and also depend on Hyderabad’s results, to hope for a 4th spot on the points table.

Since 2018, Punjab have lost only a solitary game at their home ground, and that explains that Kolkata will have to do something special to win in Mohali in match no. 51 of the Indian T20 League. The hosts, too, need to win their remaining games to qualify for the playoffs, but in the end, it is likely to be a battle of having better NRR for all the teams. Here is all you need to know before picking your Fantain XI and Deam11 for the Kolkata vs Punjab game.

Team News –

Kolkata

Things have been working out well for Kolkata ever since the shuffling in the batting order. Shubman Gill has been getting runs as an opener and Sandeep Warrier, who replaced Prasidh Krishna in the previous game and fared well, is likely to retain his place.

Likely playing XI – Chris Lynn, Shubman Gill, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik(C&WK), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Sandeep Warrier, Piyush Chawla and Harry Gurney

Punjab

Mujeeb Ur Rahman conceded 66 in his 4 overs and could be replaced with Andrew Tye, especially because the Mohali pitch favours the fast bowlers.

Likely playing XI – Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, PrabhSimran Singh, David Miller, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin (C), Andrew Tye, Mohammad Shami, Murugan Ashwin and Arshdeep Nath.

Fantain XI 

Wicket-keeper – Nicholas Pooran

Batsmen – Chris Lynn, Chris Gayle, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal

All-Rounders – Andre Russell, Ravichandran Ashwin

Bowlers – Murugan Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Mohammad Shami

Captain and vice-captain options

Andre Russell, who has been Kolkata’s biggest weapon this season, still holds the key for them. His strike rate of 208 explains how big a game changer he is, and why he should be your first choice for the captain on Fantain. The Mohali pitch is a batsman’s paradise, which is why it is safe to pick both the captain and vice-captain from among batsmen.

Chris Gayle, who is defying age game after game to prove that there is still enough fuel left in the tank, is a good choice for your Fantain vice-captain, otherwise, KL Rahul too can get you crucial points.

Avoid spinners because they are likely to be on the receiving end on this particular wicket.

This is our Fantain Fantasy XI but you’re the real expert.

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Dream11 prediction

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Head to Head/ Small Leagues:

WicketKeeper – Nicholas Pooran

Batsmen – Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Chris Gayle, KL Rahul (C)

All-Rounders – Andre Russell (VC), Ravi Ashwin

Bowlers – Piyush Chawla, Harry Gurney, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin

Fantasy Tip

Shubman Gill – the young batsman, who is an opener in domestic cricket, was made to bat at no. 7 in the initial few Kolkata games. But only after being promoted as an opener did he perform well. He has two half-centuries from three games as an opener and would be looking to come out good at Mohali which is his home ground.

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Grand/ Mega Leagues:

WicketKeeper – Dinesh Karthik

Batsmen – Robin Uthappa, Chris Lynn (C), Nitish Rana, Chris Gayle, David Miller

All-Rounders – Sunil Narine (VC), Andre Russell

Bowlers – Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh

Fantasy Tip

Mohammad Shami – on the green Mohali pitch, Mohammed Shami will be expected to do most of the work with the ball. He has picked up wickets in all the games this season except against Chennai.

Complete guide to making Dream11 team- IPL 2019, Match 52 – KXIP vs KKR: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

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