Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019-20: Round 12, Elite Group A and B, Maharashtra vs Punjab – Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The Round 12 match of the Elite Group A and B in the 2019-20 Vijay-Hazare Trophy will be played between Maharashtra and Punjab at the Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara.

The match starts at 9:00 AM local time (IST) (3:30 AM GMT).

Preview for Dream11 Fantasy

After six consecutive washouts and defeats in their first two completed fixtures, Maharashtra has resurrected their fledgeling campaign brilliantly courtesy back-to-back victories against Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Their latest heist (against Himachal Pradesh) was scripted by Azim Kazi’s swashbuckling 82-ball 84, helping them chase down 202, despite being reduced to 4-28 at one stage.

To make it three in a row, Maharashtra will have to do better than what they did against HP. Because, their opponents in their next Elite Group A& B fixture are the second-placed Punjab, who have had four wins under their belt in six completed fixtures. Punjab comes into this game, hoping to prove that their five-run loss against Delhi was just an aberration and resume normal services.

Weather Report

The rain has finally relented in Vadodara and will once again bear witness to a bright and sunny day tomorrow. While the humidity is expected to be 45%, the temperatures will hover between 26-35 degrees.

Pitch Condition/Report

 The pitch at Moti Bagh stadium has generally favoured teams batting second. In the three internationals played at the venue, the chasing teams have won twice.

Average first innings score: 242 (In 3 International matches at the venue)

Record of the chasing teams: Won – 2; Lost – 1

Injury and Availability News:

It will be added once there is an update.

Probable Playing XIs for Dream11 Fantasy

Maharashtra

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rahul Tripathi, Ankit Bawne, Kedar Jadhav (c), Azim Kazi, Naushad Shaikh, Nikhil Naik (wk),  Shamshuzama Kazi, Satyajeet Bachhav, Samad Fallah, Nikit Dhumal

Bench – Divyang Himganekar, Avdhoot Dandekar, Swapnil Gugale, Yash Nahar, Mukesh Choudhary

Punjab

Abhishek Sharma, Sanvir Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh (c), Gurkeerat Singh Mann,  Sharad Lumba, Karan Kaila, Anmol Malhotra (WK), Mayank Markande, Siddarth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma.

Bench – Baltej Singh, Abhijeet Garg, Simran Singh, Akul Pandove, Ramandeep Singh

Top Picks:

Maharashtra: Azim Kazi has been the MVP for his side this season. The all-rounder, who has scored 121 runs besides taking eight wickets, played an innings of his life in the last game, pulling his side out of a dire situation of 4-28 when he scored a whirlwind 82-ball 84.

The top-order capitulated in the last game, as has been the case throughout the season and skipper Kedar Jadhav (106 runs at 26.5) will hope that he and the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad (72 runs at 18.00), Rahul Tripathi (85 runs at 21.25) finally come to the party tomorrow.

As usual, the bowling unit will be led by a trio of Samaz Fallah, Satyajeet Bachhav and Azim Kazi, all of whom have taken eight wickets this far.

Punjab: Anmolpreet Singh (73) played a brilliant knock in the last game against Delhi but it still wasn’t enough to take Punjab past the finishing line. And that just testified how inconsistent the batting was in the last game. Each of Abhishek Sharma (36), Mandeep Singh (25) and Shard Lumba (40) got starts but neither of them could kick on and convert it into a 70 or 80 while Gurkeerat Singh Mann (192 runs at 38.40) coped a rare failure.

Tomorrow’s game provides another opportunity to right the previous wrongs. Punjab’s bowling has been brilliant right through the season. The trio of Siddarth Kaul (15 wickets including a five-for in the last game), Sandeep Sharma (12 wickets) and Karan Kaila (11 wickets) have been the cornerstone of their teams’ success thus far.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain Options: Azim Kazi, Anmolpreet Singh, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Sandeep Sharma

Vice-Captain Options: Siddarth Kaul, Abhishek Sharma, Sharad Lumba, Samad Fallah

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Dream11 Fantasy:

Keeper – Nikhil Naik 

Batters – Mandeep Singh, Anmolpreet Singh (VC), Sharad Lumba, Ruturaj Gaikwad

All-Rounders – Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Abhishek Sharma, Kedar Jadhav

Bowlers – Siddarth Kaul ©, Karan Kaila, Azim Kazi

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Dream11 Fantasy:

Keeper – Anmol Malhotra

Batters – Mandeep Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Ankeet Bawne, Rahul Tripathi (vc), Naushad Shaikh

All-Rounders – Gurkeerat Singh Mann (c), Shamshuzama Kazi

Bowlers – Siddarth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma, Satyajeet Bachhav

Expert Advice:

Punjab’s bowling has been the cornerstone for their teams’ success this far in this season. Hence making them as captain/vice-captain against an out-of-form top-order of Maharashtra could be a great punt.

Probable Winners:

Even though Punjab is coming off a five-run loss, their bowling unit makes them a real force. And, if their batsman can make use of their starts, they could be a tough nut to crack.

*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.