Round nine of IPL 2019 Fantasy League – run by official partners Dream 11 – is pretty much a daily contest with just two teams in the fray.
The big boys of IPL – Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians – will be fighting it out and it can’t get better than this with the three-time champions battling for supremacy.
Chennai are the masters of playoffs, having made it to their eighth final with three wins already under their belt. Mumbai, on the other hand, have a far better success rate at the biggest stage – three wins from four finals.
For fantasy league players, it’s a final last chance to push ahead and we are here with a few tips to help you out.
TOP TIP ROUND 9
Chose free hit wisely
Since most fantasy teams will pretty much be the same, the deciding factor might well be the free hits you decide to use. Since you can activate only one of the four, the safest option would be to go for the ‘six’ free hit as chances of a high-scoring final are, well, high. In the last five IPL finals, teams have scored more than 200 four times. The only low-scoring final was the 2017 one which was played in Hyderabad – incidentally the venue for the 2019 title clash.
However, the Uppal Stadium in Hyderabad has witnessed decent scores in the last two games this season – 212-6 and 161- in 15 overs. However, the venue also witnessed Sunrisers bowled out for 96 and 116 in successive games before that. Even so, it will be safe to expect a high-scoring match on a traditionally flat pitch.
BATSMEN
Faf du Plessis. Image: IPL/Twitter.
Faf du Plessis (8.5 credits)
The Chennai Super Kings batsman is on a roll in the business end of the tournament. In three of the last four matches, Faf has reeled off 39, 96 and 50. The third score there was made against Delhi in a critical chase in the second qualifier. Faf made a crucial fifty in the first qualifier last year as well. Also, he is the best fielder in the side.
Rohit Sharma (10.5 cr)
The final could be the moment for the Mumbai skipper to put in his best performance of the season. He’s been bubbling under the surface all season, getting starts consistently which means he is in decent nick and only needs to push on once he gets a start. Has scored a fifty in a winning final before – 2015 against Chennai – so will have good memories of the occasion and opposition.
Shane Watson (10.5 cr)
Experience always matters at the big stage and the Aussie showed why as he hit a critical fifty against Delhi in the second qualifier. Scored an unbeaten ton for the Super Kings in the final last year and will be raring for an encore. If the wicket is half decent, expect Watson to press on the accelerator from the start and put pressure on Mumbai’s spinners.
BOWLERS
Imran Tahir (7.5 cr)
The engine behind Chennai’s run to the final. Tahir has been exceptional this season, picking up 24 wickets from 16 matches and still maintaining an economy of less than 6.7. The 40-year-old will have a major role in keeping Rohit quiet – if he has to bowl by then – as the Mumbai captain is suspect against leg-spinners.
Bumrah. Image – IPL/Twitter.
Jasprit Bumrah (9.5 cr)
The star Mumbai pacer has 17 wickets from 15 matches at an economy of less than seven. Almost certain to keep the runs down and be among the wickets. Has rarely disappointed in any white-ball game for a couple of seasons and with the extra rest he has had compared to Chennai players, should be firing on all cylinders come Sunday.
Deepak Chahar (8 cr)
The Chennai seamer has been safe as a house this season. Has picked up 19 scalps from 16 games and in the second qualifier against Delhi, picked up two and went for seven an over. Chahar has turned out to be as reliable as Bumrah in the power play overs. Mumbai top order might be inclined to play him out safely and go after others.
ALL-ROUNDERS
Hardik Pandya (10 cr)
The Mumbai all-rounder has been amazing with bat and ball the entire season. While his six-hitting has attracted headlines, his 14 wickets have been equally important. Expect Hardik to make one final statement before the World Cup begins as he is arguably the most valuable member of the Indian team.
Ravindra Jadeja (8 cr)
A remarkably consistent performer in IPL. Jadeja hasn’t had many chances to bat but with the ball, has been brilliant when it comes to wickets (15) and economy (6.3). And the southpaw is the best all-round fielder on either side so should earn a few fantasy points in the field as well.
WICKET-KEEPERS
CSK skipper MS Dhoni. Image: IPL/Twitter.
MS Dhoni (9.5 cr)
The veteran gloveman has been singularly responsible for carrying the Super Kings all the way to the final with his batting bailing the team out on multiple occasions in the league phase. Still the fastest gloveman in the game, Dhoni has had an extraordinary season. A final flourish can’t be discounted.
Quinton de Kock (9.5 cr)
The South African has been in decent form with the bat and has affected a dismissal with the glove in the last three games after going through a drought. Whether the wicket is flat or tricky, should bring in some decent points.
Captain: Hardik Pandya
Vice-captain: MS Dhoni
