Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019-20: Round 2, Elite Group A and B, Baroda vs Punjab, Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Match Details:

The Round 2 Elite Group A and B game will take place between Punjab and Baroda at the Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara.

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

Match Preview:

As the caravan of the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare Trophy rolls on, Punjab will square off against Baroda in what should be a riveting encounter in Vadodara. After a series of five back-to-back washouts, Punjab got their campaign on track courtesy consecutive victories against Vidarbha and Haryana. Punjab comes into this game on the back of a nervy three-wicket-win against Haryana in what turned out to be a low-scoring nerve jangler. 

After having bowled Haryana for a poultry 49 thanks to Sandeep Sharma’s 7-19, Punjab was expected to stroll past the target. But, barring Abhishek Sharma, who stayed not-out for 22, no batsman could pose any resistance in front of Ajit Chahal (4-32) and Harshal Patel (2-12), as they scrapped their way past the target seven down.

They’ll now face Baroda who, after suffering three consecutive defeats, are in desperate search of a win. They come into this game on the back of a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of UP after an underwhelming batting effort saw them scrap their way to 6-212, which UP chased down with ease, courtesy half-centuries from Samarth Singh (62) and Akshdeep Nath (75).

Weather Condition/Report:

The weather at Vadodara is expected to be bright and sunny. With the chances of rain under 10 percent and the temperatures hovering between 24-35 degrees, we should see a full game tomorrow. The humidity is expected to be around 65%.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The wicket at Moti Bagh Stadium has seen a plethora of low-scoring encounters thus far. In the 4 games played at the venue, the teams first-innings score read: 6-212, 49 all-out, 217 all-out and 148 all-out. It doesn’t get easy either in the second half, as Baroda found out against Delhi and Haryana.

Average first innings score: 157 (In 4 VHT ODDs)

Records of chasing teams: Won- 2, Loss- 2

Injury and Availability News:

Krunal Pandya didn’t play the previous game and he might be injured. There is no update on the same though.

Probable Playing XIs:

Punjab:

Abhishek Sharma, Simran Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh (C), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Ramandeep Singh, Anmol Malhotra (wk), Karan Kaila, Mayank Markande, Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul.

Bench: Baltej Singh, Sharad Lumba, Abhijeet Garg, Akul Pandove

Baroda:

Yusuf Pathan, Bhargav Bhatt, Kedar Devdhar, Aditya Waghmode, Lukman Meriwala, Vishnu Solanki, Deepak Hooda (C), Atit Seth, Swapnil Singh, Mitesh Patel (wk), Abhimanyu Rajput.

Bench: Babashafi Pathan, Ninad Rathva, Soyeb Sopariya, Krunal Pandya, Sukrit Pandey, Rishi Arothe

Top Picks:

It should effectively be a contest between Punjab’s bowling and Baroda’s batting. As we have seen the likes of Sandeep Sharma (9 wickets) and Karan Kaila (6 wickets) doing pretty well in this season thus far. And so, can the likes of Vishnu Solanki (58), Kedar Devdhar, Yusuf Pathan (55) fare well against them?

Punjab will hope that their batters take responsibility more than they did in the previous game. The onus will once again be on Abhishek Sharma (55 runs in 3 games), Gurkeerat Singh (55 runs in 3 games) and Anmolpreet Singh (42 runs in 3 games) to lead the pack.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Abhishek Sharma, Vishnu Solanki, Kedar Devdhar

Vice-Captain – Yusuf Pathan, Aditya Waghmode, Gurkeerat Singh

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper- Anmol Malhotra

Batters –  Yusuf Pathan, Kedar Devdhar (C), Vishnu Solanki, Mandeep Singh

All-Rounders – Swapnil Singh, Deepak Hooda, Abhishek Sharma (VC)

Bowlers – Lukman Meriwala, Sandeep Sharma, Mayank Markande

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Mitesh Patel

Batters –  Yusuf Pathan (C), Aditya Waghmode, Kedar Devdhar, Vishnu Solanki, Mandeep Singh

All-Rounders – Swapnil Singh, Deepak Hooda

Bowlers – Siddarth Kaul, Karan Kaila, Mayank Markande (VC)

Expert Advice

Punjab’s batting hasn’t yet fired this season thus far. Thus choosing more bowlers from them is worth a punt.

Probable Winners:

Considering the form that both teams are in, Punjab will start as favourites.

*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.