The 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) season heads into match 36 with Rajasthan Royals set to host Mumbai Indians at Jaipur in the first game of Saturday’s double-header.
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
Jos Buttler – Rajasthan Royals (10.5 credits)
He might not yet have reached the same heights that he touched in the 2018 edition but it speaks volumes about Buttler’s ability that an average of nearly 39 and a strike-rate of over 150 in the ongoing season is been viewed as a step down.
The England batsman has almost single-handedly been leading Rajasthan’s charge with the bat this season and it is indeed the failure of the rest of the batting unit that Buttler’s performances haven’t translated into more wins.
Now playing purely as a batsman and not a wicketkeeper, the Englishman will love to torment his former employers Mumbai once again.
The right-hander struck a 43-ball 89 when the Royals beat Mumbai in their own backyard a week ago and he had a similar performance against them last year where he smashed a match-winning 53-all 94 at the Wankhede stadium.
Expect Buttler to be charged up once again against one of his favourite IPL opponents.
32(14) vs RCB
— Prajakta Bhawsar (@18prajakta) April 18, 2019
31 (19) vs KXIP
25(8) vs CSK
14(14) vs SRH
19(13) vs KXIP
28(11) vs RR
37(16) vs RCB
32(15) vs DC
How valuable is Hardik Pandya? 🔥#DCvsMI
BOWLER
Shreyas Gopal – Rajasthan Royals (8.5 credits)
The young leg-spinner might not have picked up a single wicket in his last three appearances but it is important to remember that two of those clashes were away from home.
The Rajasthan leggie has had an excellent individual campaign despite the team’s struggles this season with his eight wickets in as many games coming at an economy-rate of less than seven runs an over.
The 25-year-old was terrific on a slow surface at Jaipur against RCB where he picked up the wickets of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in a sensational display. Back in the comforts of Rajasthan’s home ground, Gopal will be itching to get back among the wickets and his subtle googlies and variations could prove a tough nut to crack for Mumbai’s batsmen.
ALL-ROUNDER
Hardik Pandya – Mumbai Indians (9.5 credits)
There is only one contender for the all-rounder’s slot on current form with Hardik Pandya having one of his best individual seasons with the bat in the IPL.
The Mumbai all-rounder has been a tad expensive with the ball with his eight wickets coming at an economy-rate of over nine but he has still provided plenty of valuable points in that aspect.
With the bat, Pandya has been different class with his clean and big-hitting in the death overs proving crucial for Mumbai time and time again in the ongoing campaign.
The right-hander has already added 218 runs so far to his tally this season and they have come at an average of 43.60 while his strike-rate touching nearly 195.
Have no second thoughts on this slot and pick Pandya straight away.
32(14) vs RCB
— Prajakta Bhawsar (@18prajakta) April 18, 2019
31 (19) vs KXIP
25(8) vs CSK
14(14) vs SRH
19(13) vs KXIP
28(11) vs RR
37(16) vs RCB
32(15) vs DC
How valuable is Hardik Pandya? 🔥#DCvsMI
WICKETKEEPER
Quinton de Kock – Mumbai Indians (9 credits)
With Buttler no longer keeping wickets, it is Mumbai’s Quinton de Kock who gets the nod over Sanju Samson.
After a disappointing campaign for RCB in 2018, the South African wicketkeeper has settled in nicely at his new home in Mumbai. In eight matches so far, de Kock has registered 313 runs at an average of nearly 35 while his strike-rate has hovered around the 137 mark.
The southpaw’s form with the bat has become even more consistent in his recent appearances with his last three scores being 81, 40 and 35.
The 81 came in Mumbai’s loss to Rajasthan in the reverse-fixture and the Proteas ace will be determined to repeat those exploits once again in Jaipur.
CAPTAIN – Jos Buttler
VICE CAPTAIN – Hardik Pandya
