Indian T20 League 2019: Match 8, Hyderabad vs Rajasthan – Dotball Fantasy Cricket Guide

The Hyderabad track should be good for batting, as it typically is and given the composition of these teams should make for an entertaining encounter.

Published - 28 Mar 2019, 20:45 IST | Updated - 28 Mar 2019, 20:45 IST

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Hyderabad looked in the groove when batting in their opening game on Sunday but their bowling got hit by an Andre Russell blitz for the ages that resulted in a narrow loss. Rajasthan, meanwhile, had a similar heartbreak where they collapsed in a chase they had under control after Jos Buttler’s controversial run out. Now as they clash in Hyderabad each team’s respective batting and bowling units will look to hold their nerves better.

Venue: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad.

Conditions: This will be the first game here this season. The track should be good for batting, as it typically is and given the composition of these teams should make for an entertaining encounter.

Injury updates: Kane Williamson missed the last game because of a shoulder injury but he is likely to be fit and back to lead Hyderabad in this game.

Fantasy Tips: If you are looking for possible captain choices for a head to head contest, you could go with these ‘Safe Captain Choices’

Hot Picks:

David Warner: He started in the last match as if he had never been away. His 53-ball 85 in the opener portents a huge season for him, and Hyderabad is a venue he has usually been prolific at.

Rashid Khan: He picked up only a solitary wicket against Kolkata but Rashid Khan’s combination of economical bowling and an incredible strike rate (he averages almost 2 wkts/T20 game) makes him a must pick.

Jos Buttler: The news cycle has mostly been about his runout but Buttler looked in ominous form at Jaipur. His record in the league still remains prolific and expect him to cash in at Hyderabad.
However if you are willing to take a bit more risk in a grand league contest, maybe consider these ‘Risky Captain Choices’

Yusuf Pathan: He might be someone overlooked by most players for their fantasy squad, but Yusuf Pathan’s all-round chops are an important factor in Hyderabad’s balance and he could be a differential for your squad.

Steve Smith: Injury layoff and disciplinary absence aside, Smith looked quite up to his old standards in the brief outing he had at Jaipur, only to be cut short by a spectacular catch.

Ajinkya Rahane: Usually overlooked because of his tendency to start slow, Rahane might be an interesting pick particularly given that he scored a fluent 53-ball 65 at Jaipur against Hyderabad last time but couldn’t quite get Rajasthan over the line. Maybe he gets a shot at redemption here.

Expert Advice:

This is one of those matches where the entire focus is usually on the overseas players because so many of the big guns feature from the world’s leading limited-overs leg spinner to one of the best batsmen and two of the most explosive ones. But for a winning team in fantasy, you may want to evaluate the domestic players in the mix and target underrated performers there.

The Prediction: This is going to be a flat out batting battle and it could boil down to an Aussie v Aussie faceoff, with Steve Smith and David Warner holding the key to which side asserts batting supremacy.