Ranji Trophy 2018-19, 1st Semi-Final: Kerala vs Vidarbha: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

It was last season that Kerala went as far as the quarter-final round for the first time in the Ranji Trophy history. This time around, the team is in the semis which is also a first. The brilliant comeback they made in the game against Gujarat would’ve surely lifted the team’s spirits. They bundled out Gujarat to just 81 in the second innings while defending a target of 195. In the top four stage – they are up against the defending champions Vidarbha.

The winners of the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy, on the other hand, will be aiming to march towards a title defence. Kerala last faced Vidharbha in the quarter-final of the previous edition and that was where the South Indian team’s journey ended. Kerala will be taking the field in absence of Sanju Samson who suffered a finger injury during the last match. Samson batted bravely with one hand in the second innings of the game against Gujarat only to be adjudged wrongly by the umpire.

Match Details:

The 1st semi-final game of the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 will be played between Kerala and Vidarbha at the Krishnagiri Stadium in Wayanad, Kerala.

The match will begin on 24th January 2019 at 9:30 AM local time (IST) (4:00 AM GMT).

Streaming of this game will be available on Hotstar in India.

Pitch Condition/Report:

It was the pace bowlers who made most of the wicket at the Krishnagiri Stadium in Wayanad during the quarter-final game. Whereas another match between Puducherry and Sikkim earlier this season turned out to be a high-scoring contest. However, the pacers had an upper hand in the three matches played at this venue during the 2016-17 Ranji season. Once again, a pace-friendly track can be expected at Wayanad.

Form:

Kerala’s road to SF:

Finished 4th in the Elite Group A and B with 26 points coming from four outright wins and a draw from 8 matches of which they lost three.

Defeated Gujarat by 113 runs in the quarter-final.

Vidarbha’s road to SF:

Gujarat finished 1st in the Elite Group A and B with 29 points coming from three outright wins and five draws from 8 matches.

Defeated Uttarakhand by innings and 115 runs in the Quarter-Final.

Probable XI:

Kerala:

Ponnam Rahul, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Sijomon Joseph, Vinoop Manoharan, Vishnu Vinod, Sachin Baby (C), VA Jagadeesh, Jalaj Saxena, Basil Thampi, Sandeep Warrier, MD Nidheesh,

Bench: Rohan Prem, Arun Karthik, Sanju Samson, KC Akshay.

Vidarbha:

Sanjay Ramaswamy, Faiz Fazal (C), Wasim Jaffer, Atharwa Taide, Ganesh Satish, Akshay Wadkar (wk), Akshay Wakhare, Aditya Sarwate, Umesh Yadav, Rajneesh Gurbani, Yash Thakur.

Bench: Apoorv Wankhade, Ravi Jangid, Akshay Karnewar, Siddhesh Wath, Mohit Kale, Aditya Thakare, Suniket Bingewar.

Injury and Availability Updates:

Injured Sanju Samson was asked to stay with the squad by their coach Dave Whatmore.

Power Picks:

Aditya Sarwate has been brilliant throughout the season as the all-rounder scored 299 runs including a century in the previous game. His major success during the season was with his left-arm spin bowling. Sarwate claimed 44 wickets from nine matches this season with the help of four 5-wicket hauls.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Wasim Jaffer, Aditya Sarwate and Akshay Wadkar will be perfect for the captain and vice-captain roles. Going by the conditions, someone from among the pacers can also be picked. Umesh Yadav bagged nine wickets in the previous game while Sandeep Warrier has claimed 39 wickets at 18.33 this season. Faiz Fazal, Sachin Baby and Jalaj Saxena are too got to be left out.

Playing XI #1 for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Mohammed Azharuddeen

Batters – Wasim Jaffer (C), Faiz Fazal, Sanjay Ramaswamy, Ponnam Rahul

All-Rounders – Aditya Sarwate (VC), Jalaj Saxena, Vinoop Manohar

Bowlers – Sandeep Warrier, Rajneesh Gurbani, Umesh Yadav

Playing XI #2 for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Akshay Wadkar

Batters – Wasim Jaffer (VC), Sachin Baby, Atharwa Taide, Ponnam Rahul

All-Rounders – Aditya Sarwate, Vinoop Manohar

Bowlers – Sandeep Warrier, Rajneesh Gurbani, Umesh Yadav (C), Basil Thampi

Expert Advice:

Jalaj Saxena might be a risky pick given the fact that the conditions do not favour him. Given the high credits needed for other players and Saxena’s price tag of 9.5, not picking him might actually work well for you.

Probable Winners:

Vidarbha will start the game as favourites against Kerala due to the rich experience and balance in the team.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

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