The 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) season heads into match 17 with Royal Challengers Bangalore set to play host to Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday.
As fans, watching the action is not the only thing to look forward to – IPL fantasy games mean you have the opportunity to get involved as well.
As the IPL’s official partner, Dream11 runs a daily contest for each game apart from the default format which is conducted per round.
Here, we focus on helping you navigate your way through the former.
BATSMAN
AB de Villiers – Royal Challengers Bangalore (10 credits)
While Bangalore have struggled as a unit in their four defeats, their South African ace AB de Villiers has failed to arrive at the party himself with just one innings of note so far.
The 35-year-old has failed to live up to his reputation so far with his explosive unbeaten 70 against Mumbai Indians the exception. However, with the chips down for Bangalore, one can expect de Villiers to come out swinging.
Highest Strike Rate in the final 5 overs since IPL 2015.
— CRICLORE (@criclore) March 29, 2019
AB de Villiers - 242
Rishabh Pant - 233
Sanju Samson - 221. #SRHvRR #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/KE7QD8APwV
BOWLER
Yuzvendra Chahal – Royal Challengers Bangalore (9 credits)
The pitch at the Chinnaswamy stadium can be a graveyard for bowlers but Yuzvendra Chahal has managed to flourish with his wrist-spin.
The India stalwart is currently leading the wicket-taking charts with eight scalps in his four games and has been the standout bowler for Bangalore.
Along with his wicket-taking abilities, Chahal has also been extremely economical and has conceded less than seven runs an over so far. Batsmen will be expected to rule the roost on Friday but the wily Chahal will in all probability be amongst the wickets.
ALL-ROUNDER
Andre Russell- Kolkata Knight Riders (10 credits)
The all-rounder’s slot is a no contest with Andre Russell in scorching form. The West Indies man has been arguably the player of the season so far with match-winning impacts with both bat and ball for Kolkata.
Russell has already scored 159 runs in three matches at a strike-rate of nearly 250 while also chipping in with five wickets with the ball.
He has almost been a one-man army for the Knight Riders, pulverising the opposition through the brute force. Expect Russell to make merry on the Bangalore pitch if he gets in.
Andre Russell in 2019 IPL:
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 30, 2019
Game 1: 4 Sixes
Game 2: 5 Sixes
Game 3: 6 Sixes
159 runs in 64 Balls (15 Sixes)
WICKETKEEPER
Dinesh Karthik – Kolkata Knight Riders (9 credits)
The Kolkata skipper did not have the most promising of starts to his campaign but he is now starting to come into his own.
Karthik registered a fluent half-century in the loss Delhi Capitals via a super over and was instrumental in resurrecting the innings along with Russell following a top-order stumble.
The veteran wicketkeeper has been a proven IPL performer over the years and will be looking to better his 2018 showing where he scored 498 runs at an average of nearly 50. He will also have the added motivation of performing against his former employers with whom he endured a miserable campaign in 2015.
CAPTAIN – Andre Russell
VICE CAPTAIN – AB de Villiers
