Match 44 - Punjab vs Kolkata: CrickingDuels Fantasy Guide

This CrickingDuels Fantasy guide is for the match 44 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season which will be played between Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The visitors are all set to embark on their tough mission of winning all their remaining matches to qualify for the playoffs. Though their opponents are not facing any such situation as of now, they must get things sorted soon and can’t afford to be complacent anymore now with the tournament reaching its business end.

R Ashwin made some baffling tactical changes during the match which were questionable and should go back to their template which worked for them so well at the start of the tournament. Dinesh Karthik, on the other hand, has to somehow regroup his team after a shattering loss at the hands of Mumbai Indians (MI) in the last game. They should put up an all-round show against Punjab in order to save themselves from the elimination. Here we bring to you the CrickingDuels Fantasy guide for the game:

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):

Batsmen

As far as the batsmen are concerned, the Universe Boss Chris Gayle and Karun Nair make my team as none of the other batsmen from Punjab has played well so far. There is an option of Manoj Tiwary but he has not done much as well. Chris Lynn showed some form which encourages me to pick him in the line-up and he will be accompanied by Nitish Rana who has played brief cameos and I feel that a match-winning knock is around the corner from him.

I have also gone for Robin Uthappa here as the extra batsman in the end though with the available credits allowing me to do so.

All-Rounders

It is mandatory to pick a couple of all-rounders in the team which makes me go with Marcus Stoinis. He will surely give me points as he can bat decently and bowl his spell of four overs. Though Andre Russell has not impressed me much, I have no other option to go with and has to pick him. If he gets going on his day it will be a bonus for me but not expecting much from him in this game as well.

Wicketkeeper

It is a simple choice here to go for KL Rahul with the form he is in. Dinesh Karthik disappointed in the last encounter which cost me a lot of points and I don’t want to lose again in this aspect. Rahul’s last innings was not match-winning for his team but was excellent as far as Fantasy is concerned so it would be better of me going for him as his opening partner Gayle is already there in my team.

Bowlers

The bowling of KKR has been really dismal and only Piyush Chawla is looking convincing. Though he shouldn’t be given the last over by his skipper this time around. Also, Sunil Narine has to be there despite not living up to the expectations in the last few games. He bats at the top as well which is a big advantage of having him in the team. I am now going with two Punjab bowlers who have been amazing this year and are expected to continue in the same vein. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Andrew Tye make it to the team and are certain of giving me more points. While the mystery spinner has impressed everyone, Tye is close to winning the purple cap again.

So here’s our final CrickingDuels Fantasy team for this game: