IPL 2016: Fantasy Championship guide RPS v KXIP

Every IPL season sparks controversies, players are scrutinized, the board is scrutinized and the entire concept of having a T20 tournament is belittled. But when two young Indian batsmen, straight from the domestic circuit, take it upon themselves to guide their team home in a must win game, it all becomes worth it.

Karun Nair and Rishab Pant batted as if they were so accustomed to such a situation and though the Daredevils might miss out on winning the tournament because of their constant ‘chop and change’ strategy, the way they have backed their young players to take up the mantle and win them games is commendable.

David Warner anchored the Sunrisers innings to perfection and on a ground with big boundaries, 155 was a par score, especially with the SRH bowling arsenal.

But the two Indian batsmen kept their calm and beautifully paced their innings to help the Daredevils cling on to their hopes of a playoff spot.

The Sunrisers will now have to win an away game against KKR to guarantee a top 2 finish for them and the DD have to bring down the high soaring RCB if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs.

Let’s get to business now!

Rising Pune Supergiants vs Kings XI Punjab:

RPS v KXIP preview – IPL 9, Match 53 Preview: Pride at stake as Kings XI Punjab lock horns with RPS

Transfer out: Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav

Transfer in: Hashim Amla/Adam Zampa, KC Cariappa/Murugan Ashwin

This has to be the trickiest of all games for fantasy managers, especially this late in the tournament. Both these teams have been knocked out of the tournament and the only thing that they would be vying for is the second last spot on the table. Enough inspiration to perform? I am not so sure.

With Hashim Amla and Murali Vijay in good nick, the Kings XI have finally found things going for themselves in the past few games. Their performances have been good all through the tournament, but they haven’t been able to kill games.

RPS too have hadn’t really been blown away by the opposition but they haven’t played those important moments really well, something that you don’t associate with MS Dhoni’s teams. Adam Zampa and Ashok Dinda have been amazing with the ball and Ajinkya Rahane has held the batting order together. A little bit of tweaking and RPS could be a great IPL side.

Now, I already have Sandeep Sharma in my team for this game.

The dilemma is whether to bring in players for a drab encounter?

I’ll be making just one transfer for this game. The various options for this game are Zampa, Rahane, Amla and Vijay

Rahane is a player for all seasons and all pitches but the problem with him is that most of the times he won’t be giving your side that required oomph. He can give you at best a 30 ball 40 and I don’t think at this point it will make a big difference. So, I leave him out.

Amla and Vijay have been in good form in the last few games and if the strip that was used for the Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Daredevils game is used this time round as well, you can opt for one from Amla and Vijay.

Despite Amla having a ‘Test batsman’ image, he is a brilliant T20 player, especially when he opens the batting, as he is able to take good advantage of the powerplay. If it’s a batting track, I’ll get Amla in. The fact that he scores quicker than Vijay and has had a good World T20 as well tilts the stakes in his favour.

Now, if the track is one that offers spin, the one where Zampa took 6 wickets, you hope that he replicates that performance, and thus you get Zampa in.

For the uncapped player, I get in Manan Vohra, if he plays. If he doesn’t, I’ll opt for one from Murugan Aswhin and KC Cariappa, depending on whichever team bowls first.

Batting captain: Hashim Amla/The uncapped batsman that you get in

Bowling captain: Sandeep Sharma (if KXIP bowl first)/Adam Zampa (if RPSG bowl first and you get him in)/ The uncapped bowler that you get in