The 2019 Indian Premier League season heads into match 46 with Delhi Capitals set to host Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first game of Sunday’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
AB de Villiers – Royal Challengers Bangalore (10.5 credits)
The South Africa is the most in-form batsmen from either side heading into the clash and looks set for another strong innings on Sunday.
After starting the campaign in indifferent form, de Villiers has turned on the style in recent matches and is now fifth in the run-scoring charts with 414 runs.
The 35-year-old has registered three half-centuries in his last four outings, with the latest of them being an unbeaten 44-ball 82 which helped his side beat KXIP.
With a batting average of nearly 60 and a strike-rate of over 158, de Villiers is starting to take the IPL by storm and he will be eager to put in a big performance on a pitch he only knows too well having previously played for Delhi.
AB de Villiers in winning causes in IPL
— JSK (@imjsk27) April 24, 2019
Innings - 61
Runs - 2549
Average - 79.65
Strike rate - 163.3
Best - 133*
100 - 3
50 - 20@ABdeVilliers17 #RCBvKXIP pic.twitter.com/T6H45YLknA
BOWLER
Kagiso Rabada – Delhi Capitals (9.5 credits)
In the bowling department, de Villiers’ compatriot Kagiso Rabada is a straightforward pick with his stunning IPL campaign to date showing no signs of slowing down.
The express pacer has been key to Delhi’s resurgence this season and is leading the wicket-taking charts by some distance over his closest rival Imran Tahir. With 23 wickets in just 11 outings, Rabada has left every other bowler in his wake.
The most impressive aspect of the Proteas pacer’s displays have been his strike-rate and incredible consistency. With Rabada guaranteeing a wicket every 11 deliveries, it would be foolish to not lead with him in the Fantasy line ups.
ALL-ROUNDER
Marcus Stoinis – Royal Challengers Bangalore (8.5 credits)
It is Australia’s Marcus Stoinis who gets the nod in the all-rounder’s department but it is more to do with circumstance than form.
With Moeen Ali returning for England duty, Stoinis is the only all-rounder who is guaranteed to feature in the playing XI of either side on Sunday. Delhi have Chris Morris and Axar Patel at their disposal while Bangalore also have Colin de Grandhomme but none of these players are certain to make the final cut.
As such, Stoinis is the safe pick and not a bad one at that. The Aussie has been solid with the bat where he is averaging nearly 60 and has scored some vital lower-order runs for RCB.
With the ball, Stoinis has not had many opportunities but has still managed to claim two wickets. With Moeen not available, the Australian’s bowling responsibilities might increase a notch and that could translate into more Fantasy points.
WICKETKEEPER
Rishabh Pant – Delhi Capitals (9.5 credits)
While Parthiv Patel is having a decent IPL campaign by his own right for RCB, it is Delhi’s Rishabh Pant who gets our nod following his excellent display against Rajasthan Royals.
The Delhi wicketkeeper batsman had to face the disappointment of losing out to Dinesh Karthik in India’s World Cup squad selection but he bounced back from that with a resounding unbeaten knock of 78 against Rajasthan which came off just 36 deliveries.
Pant is a difficult man to stop once he gets going as his 684 runs in the 2018 edition showed and the left-hander is starting to rediscover his old magic.
Rishabh Pant in the IPL since 2017:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) April 22, 2019
39 innings
1386 runs [Most]
125 fours [2nd most]
77 sixes [Most]
38.5 average
168.82 S/R [3rd Best]#IPL2019 #RRvDC
CAPTAIN – Rishabh Pant
VICE CAPTAIN – AB de Villiers
