It’s Round Three of IPL Fantasy League and things get interesting for the next set of eight games as only five free trades are allowed. With the tournament picking up pace, fans now have a good idea as to who the in-form players are and who to avoid.
Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab are looking good at the moment while Royal Challengers Bangalore are falling apart at the start itself.
Dream 11 – the official partners of IPL 2019 – are running a fantasy league per round and also for each match. Here are the top pics to help you navigate the next round.
TOP TIP FOR ROUND 3
Go heavy on KKR, Punjab and avoid Delhi, Rajasthan
Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab play three matches each in this round. And both teams have a few in-form players in the line-up. Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, feature just once so it makes sense to pick players from the first pair of teams and avoid the second set, provided you have enough cushion when it comes to number of trades.
BATSMEN
David Warner (11 credits)
The Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman is on a mission and has started off in blazing fashion. Warner has raced past 250 runs with two fifties and a century in three games. Even if he continues to bat ‘normally’, bowlers are in for a rough ride. With national teams in the final stages of finalising their World Cup plans, Warner will want to make another big impact, which will be even better news for Fantasy players.
David Warner. Image: IPL/Twitter.
AB de Villiers (10.5 cr)
Yes the RCB batting is not firing and there are holes in their entire game. But ABD is too good a player to remain quiet for long. Royal Challengers Bangalore play both their games in Bengaluru and the good batting wicket there should allow the South Africa ace to get back into the groove.
Mayank Agarwal (8.5 cr)
Since Kings XI feature three times in the next round, the consistent batsman should be among the runs. The technically correct batsman can hit the ball long and seems at home in the format. Punjab can move him around the order as he can open as well.
BOWLERS
Yuzvendra Chahal (8.5cr)
The RCB leggie is turning out to be a revelation. Not only has he picked up eight wickets, Chahal’s economy rate of 6.5 is sensational. Given how badly Bangalore have been thrashed so far, his performance assumes even greater significance. Should continue to bamboozle batsmen.
Yuzvendra Chahal. Image: BCCI/SPORTZPICS.
Kuldeep Yadav (9 cr)
Not the greatest of starts for the KKR wrist spinner but he is bound to come good sooner rather than later. With three matches to come – one against an out of sorts RCB and one in helpful conditions in Chennai – Kuldeep should have a few more ticks in the wickets column.
Deepak Chahar (8 cr)
The unsung hero of Chennai Super Kings’ bowling so far. With CSK missing Lungi Ngidi and David Willey, Chahar has carried the pace attack on his shoulders. Only has five wickets but an incredible economy of 5 an over. Also, can hit some lusty blows down the order.
WICKETKEEPERS
KL Rahul (10.5 cr)
The opening bat and wicketkeeper for Kings XI Punjab features three times and is bound to fire as two of those game are on batting beauties in Mumbai and Mohali. Not quite the season he would have hoped for but only needs a couple of overs to start firing again.
KL Rahul.
Jonny Bairstow (8.5 cr)
The wicketkeeper of the tournament. The Englishman has been in blazing form for Sunrisers, starring in three century stands with Warner at the top. With Sunrisers’ top bowling attack, should have a few catches and stumpings to boost fantasy numbers.
ALL-ROUNDERS
Andre Russell (10 cr)
Dre Rus is the undisputed player of the tournament so far. Smashing sixes at will at strike rate of 250 and picking up key wickets. He is turning out to be Fantasy gold and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Sam Curran (8 cr)
After a horror IPL debut, the English all-rounder had a stellar game against Delhi Capitals, hitting a quick 20 as an opener and picking up 4-11, including a hat-trick, to clinch an unbelievable win. Versatility as a batsman a big plus for the left-arm seamer.
CAPTAIN: Andre Russell
Vice-captain: KL Rahul
