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AUS-W vs IND-W 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Yash Mittal
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AUS-W vs IND-W 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

AUS-W vs IND-W 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AU-W vs IN-W 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia Women vs India Women 1st T20 Key Players | Carrara Pitch Report

After a highly competitive ODI series and a historic pink ball Test, the focus of the multi-format India Women v Australia Women series moves to its T20 leg with the first of the three games set to be played at the Carrara Oval on Thursday.

Barring the first ODI, it is fair to say that India Women have dominated the proceedings in the last two ODIs and the one-off Test. Indeed, if not for sloppy fielding in the second game, they would have been leading the points table.

Nevertheless, Australia women still hold the lead by 6-4 and the visitors face an unlikely task of winning all three T20Is to win the rubber.

The rivalry between these two sides in the shortest format has been pretty intriguing in the past few years. The last six games has seen both sides win three apiece and it is fair to say that the upcoming series will be a mouthwatering one.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Australia Women: 

  • Alyssa Healy: She may not have had the best of times in the ODI series and the one-off Test but Healy will once again be a huge threat for Team India.
  • The opener loves batting against India in the shortest format. In 14 innings against the Women in Blue, she has scored 356 runs at an average of 29.66 and a strike rate of 147.10 with 4 50+ scores.
  • Meg Lanning: The Australian skipper is the leading run-scorer for her team against India in T20Is. In 16 innings, she has scored 435 runs at an average of 33.46 and a strike rate of 103.32.
  • Beth Mooney: She has already scored a match-winning ton against India in the ODIs. Mooney is the second highest run-getter for Australia against India in T20Is. In 11 innings, she has scored 392 runs at an average of 43.55 and a strike rate of 119.51 with 3 50+ scores.
  • Ellyse Perry: After a disappointing ODI series, Perry showed signs of regaining her form in the one-off Test.
  • In 17 T20Is against India, the champion all-rounder has scored 182 runs with one 50+ score besides claiming as many as 22 wickets at an average of 14.09 and an economy rate of 5.23.
  • Darcie Brown: The young seamer gave a good account of herself in the ODI series. She claimed five wickets in two matches. 

India Women:

  • Smriti Mandhana: The champion opener has already put up a number of stellar contributions in the ongoing tour. After having scored a 94-ball 86 in the second ODI, the stylish opener sizzled with her maiden ton in the pink ball Test.
  • Mandhana is the 2nd highest run-scorer for India in T20Is against Australia- 395 runs in 11 innings at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate of 135.27 with 4 50+ scores.
  • Shafali Verma: The swashbuckling opener has shown remarkable maturity in the ODI series and the one-off Test and the 17-year-old will now be looking to tee off in the shortest format.
  • Shafali is the 2nd highest run-getter for India in the format since the start of 2019 – 665 runs in 25 innings at an average of 27.70 and a blistering strike rate of 145.19 with three 50+ scores.
  • Jemmimah Rodrigues: The young Mumbai batter will be looking to make an impact in what would be her maiden outing of the tour. She was in good form in the ‘Hundred’ and would be looking to continue with the same form against the Aussies.
  • Rodrigues is the third highest run-scorer for Team India in the format since the start of 2019 – 515 runs in 25 innings at 22.39.
  • Harmanpreet Kaur: The middle-order batter will make a comeback after having missed the ODI and Test leg due to injury. She will be looking to make an impact after having gone through an extended lean patch in the past couple of years.
  • Her record vs Australia: 68 runs in 5 innings at an average of 17.
  • Deepti Sharma: The all-rounder has chipped in with both bat and ball in the tour thus far. Sharma loves batting against Australia. In 5 innings, she has scored 103 runs at an average of 34.33 and a strike rate of 100.98 besides claiming 10 wickets at 18.70.
  • Poonam Yadav: The young leg-spinner has been sensational for India in the shortest format in the past couple of years. In the last 2 years, she has claimed 29 wickets in 23 innings at an average of 17.96 and an economy rate of 5.98.
  • Her record vs Australia: 12 wickets in 7 T20Is at 14.66.

Stats and Facts

  • Both sides have locked horns 20 times in T20Is with Australia leading the ledger 14-6.
  • However, both sides have won 3 games apiece in their last 6 encounters.
  • Australia currently lead the multi-format rubber 6-4.

Possible Playing 11

Australia Women: 1. Alyssa Healy (wk), 2. Beth Mooney, 3. Meg Lanning (c), 4. Ellyse Perry, 5. Ashleigh Gardner, 6. Tahlia McGrath, 7. Sophie Molineux, 8. Georgia Wareham, 9. Annabel Sutherland, 10. Darcie Brown, 11. Tayla Vlaeminck

India Women: 1. Smriti Mandhana, 2. Shafali Verma, 3. Jemimah Rodrigues, 4. Harmanpreet Kaur (c), 5. Deepti Sharma, 6. Richa Ghosh (WK), 7. Sneh Rana, 8. Pooja Vastrakar, 9. Shikha Pandey/Meghna Singh, 10. Poonam Yadav, 11. Rajeshwari Gayakwad/Radha Yadav

Carrara Oval Pitch report and weather conditions

The pitch at Carrara Oval has proved to be a belter for batters thus far and much of the same should be the case in the T20I series.

In the only T20I played at the venue, the first innings score was 216.

As far as the weather is concerned, it is expected to be cloudy. The temperatures are set to hover between 16-26 degrees Celsius. Humidity is set to be around 55 percent.

Dream11 & Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: Alyssa Healy
  • Batters: Beth Mooney, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma
  • All-rounders: Ellyse Perry
  • Bowlers: Tayla Vlaeminck, Poonam Yadav

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

Australia will once again start as favorites but given the way India have played on this tour, don’t rule out the possibility of them claiming a 1-0 lead on Thursday.

Written by Yash Mittal. Follow Yash on Twitter today.

Why do the Punjab Kings never seem to learn?

Tarkesh Jha
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Why do the Punjab Kings never seem to learn?

Cricket News: Analysis: Why Punjab Kings never seem to learn | PBKS IPL 2021 Analysis: Why do they keep struggling?

T20 cricket is a tricky format, for it moves so quickly that it makes one abandon the core principles of cricket that are essential for success, namely: consistency and balance.

Moreover, balance is developed over a significant period of time. Identifying the key players and sticking with them regardless of the results is what drives a team to success even in the shortest format of the game.

Yet, for reasons best known to none, no side adopts this methodology for a reasonable time period.

Perhaps it is because of the highly intense competitive nature of top-tier cricket leagues. But on some occasions, it seems to be led by an unending urge for change.

And the same malice has possibly led to Punjab Kings’ lukewarm performances in recent times. Backed by the presence of a top-class opening pair, a decent middle-order and a more or less decent bowling unit, the team should be doing much better than it is doing now.

And don’t get me wrong, they often seem to be getting in winnable situations. They aren’t being exactly outplayed by the opposition. But it is the composure that they lack to calmly get over the finishing line.

And, such sort of innate calmness only stems and thrives when the combination of a team is persisted with for a considerable period of time.

That is the very factor that PBKS have failed to hold on to in the last couple of years.

The core reasons for Punjab Kings continuing to struggle in IPL

Barring KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, none of the players seem to have an assurance of consistent selection. Not even Ravi Bishnoi, whose skillful spin has made heads turn in recent times.

On the other hand, the likes of Nicholas Pooran who is getting the deserved opportunities doesn’t seem to be making the most out of it; perplexing for a player of his caliber and class.

So, are PBKS backing the wrong horses for the long race? Certainly not, because they don’t look like picking a horse to back in the first place.

Moreover, this isn’t an issue that can be attributed towards the drawbacks of a particular management. It looks like an issue that is ailing the entire franchise, possibly the main reason behind their collective failure of lifting a single IPL trophy over 13 years.

PBKS possibly need a new think-tank that is consistent with its philosophy. They have a very able leader in KL Rahul. They have a top-class Indian core with the likes of the skipper, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammed Shami and Bishnoi. Even Arshdeep Singh has grown by leaps and bounds recently.

They also have the services of Chris Gayle, who has a lot to offer even at this age. Even Aiden Markram can prove out to be a fine pick whereas Moises Henriques is a pretty good utility player as well.

Looking at the players individually, this team’s ceiling is quite high.

However, as a collective they seem to be missing a lot. One of the factors could be the absence of a formidable middle-order player who can carry the team on his own shoulders. Gayle is not a number 3 and nor has Markram been around for long. Pooran was slated to play that role but he has fallen short of the same too.

Yet, the entire idea around the selection of the final XI looks puzzled eventually.

None of their players, barring perhaps Rahul and Agarwal have played long enough for the team to get accustomed to the responsibilities expected from them.

The likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Shahrukh Khan have been playing regularly recently, but don’t they too require the presence of a seasoned pro in the middle to help them out?

PBKS have conceded too many games from winnable situations to not ponder upon the same now. Their best hunch could be to hold on to their current set of integral players and then supplement them with other capable individuals.

The best way would perhaps be to avoid the enticement of going after T20 specialists who have succeeded in some overseas leagues. Instead, focus on roping in a solid group of Indian players and augmenting their abilities through proven overseas performers.

Their primary responsibility should be bring about a player who assumes responsibility seamlessly in crunch situations and takes them home, time and again.

Such a scenario could only be developed by backing a group of players throughout the course of the season by vetting their overall talents, records, capability and adaptability in the concerned circumstances prior to the commencement of the tournament.

For now, their qualification chances are more or less over. Only a miracle can help the team script a fairytale of sorts, which looks further unlikely. But, this cannot be the template for seasons to come, if they wish to correct their historical wrongs starting from the mega auction!

Written by Tarkesh Jha. Follow Tarkesh on Twitter

IPL 2021 Match 52: RCB vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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IPL 2021 Match 52: RCB vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

IPL 2021 Match 52: RCB vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BLR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report

Royal Challengers Bangalore, who have sprung into great form after two defeats to start the UAE leg, still have the chance to achieve a top two finish. Two victories in their last two matches will put them on 20 points, and RCB will be hoping CSK lose to Punjab Kings tomorrow given their much inferior net run rate.

Nonetheless, it has been a good season for Virat Kohli’s team to date, headlined by Glenn Maxwell, Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal in particular. These three have helped RCB solve longstanding issues such as their middle overs batting and bowling, as well as their death bowling.

Today, they get no better chance to keep their top two hopes alive than with a match against struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad. A season from hell for SRH has seen just two victories out of a possible 12, with their batting struggles at the forefront of a terrible campaign. However, they can take hope from their fighting displays with the ball in recent matches, and will be looking to keep RCB’s excellent batting lineup in check to achieve a rare win this season.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

  • Glenn Maxwell has had a dream season. He has scored the most runs of any RCB player this season (11 inns, 407 runs, avg. 40.70, SR 145.35), and has three consecutive half-centuries to his name.
  • Also, Maxwell scored a 41-ball 59 against SRH earlier this season. At Abu Dhabi, Maxwell has 147 runs in six innings at an average of 36.75 and strike rate of 145.54.
  • Virat Kohli has made four starts in a row (53, 51, 25, 25) and will be aiming to carry on today. He has a solid record vs SRH, with 564 runs to his name in 17 innings at an average of 37.60 and strike rate of 137.56.
  • Kohli has scored 160 runs in seven innings at Abu Dhabi at an average of 32.00 and strike rate of 111.11.
  • AB de Villiers is yet to dominate in the UAE leg as fans know he can. SRH may well look to keep Rashid Khan for ABD, as Rashid has dismissed de Villiers three times in six innings in the IPL including earlier this season.
  • Overall, ABD has a solid record vs SRH (16 inns, 521 runs, avg. 34.73, SR 155.52), but how he deals with Rashid will make for interesting viewing.
  • Yuzvendra Chahal has been simply outstanding in the UAE leg. He has taken figures of 1/23, 1/26, 3/11, 2/18 and 3/29. Also, he enjoys bowling at Abu Dhabi, with 10 wickets in seven matches at an average of 16.90 and strike rate of 15.00.
  • Chahal takes a wicket every 21.44 deliveries in 15 matches vs SRH. However, given Chahal’s form and SRH’s batting struggles this time around, one can feel confident of another strong Chahal performance.
  • Harshal Patel went wicketless last match vs Punjab (0/27), but remains the Purple Cap holder with 26 scalps in 12 matches. He took 2/29 vs SRH earlier this season.
  • Mohammed Siraj has taken just one wicket in five matches in the UAE leg. He will be hoping to return to form today against a team he has eight wickets against in six matches (avg. 21). Also, Siraj took 2/25 against SRH earlier this season including a maiden, as well as 3/8 vs KKR on this ground last year.

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

  • Kane Williamson has made four double-figure scores in five matches in the UAE leg for just the one half-century. SRH fans will be hoping today is the day Williamson makes it another 50+ score against a favourable opponent: 7 inns vs RCB, 320 runs, avg. 64.00, SR 139.74.
  • Also, Williamson has a good record at Abu Dhabi, with two half-centuries in four matches (total of 187 runs, avg. 62.33, SR 139.55).
  • Jason Roy averages 24 against right-arm leg-spin with a strike rate of 130 in T20 cricket. The Abu Dhabi surface was good for batting in the recent RR-CSK match, and if that’s the case again today, Roy will benefit.
  • Jason Holder has been one of the bright spots in a tough campaign for SRH. The West Indian all-rounder has taken eight wickets in four matches in the UAE leg. Plus, he took 3/30 vs RCB earlier this season, including both Kohli (33) and Maxwell (59).
  • Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken just two wickets in five matches in the UAE leg. No SRH bowler has taken more wickets than Kumar’s 15 vs RCB (avg. 25.73), so both he and SRH will be hoping he returns to the wickets column today.
  • As mentioned, Rashid Khan has a fine record vs ABD in IPL (38 runs at an average of 12.7 and a batting strike rate of 73). Overall vs RCB, Rashid Khan has taken 10 wickets in nine matches at an average of 25.80 and economy rate of 7.17, including 2/18 earlier this season.
  • Rashid has taken one wicket in each of his five matches in the UAE leg. Also, he strikes every 20 deliveries on average at Abu Dhabi.

Stats and Facts

  • The David Warner days at SRH look all but over. But, if SRH were going to give Warner a game, it’d be this one. Against RCB, Warner has smashed 647 runs in 13 innings at an average of 58.82 and strike rate of 168.80.
  • Devdutt Padikkal scored a half-century on IPL debut vs SRH last season. However, he has scored just 17 runs in three innings vs SRH since that knock. But, he returns to a ground he enjoys batting at, with three 50+ scores in six matches.
  • SRH may look to play Sandeep Sharma who has dismissed Virat Kohli seven times in IPL.

Possible Playing 11

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1. Virat Kohli (c), 2. Devdutt Paddikal, 3. Srikar Bharat (wk), 4. Glenn Maxwell, 5. AB de Villiers, 6. Dan Christian, 7. Shahbaz Ahmed, 8. George Garton/Wanindu Hasaranga, 9. Harshal Patel, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Mohammed Siraj

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Priyam Garg, 5. Abhishek Sharma, 6. Abdul Samad, 7. Jason Holder, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Siddarth Kaul/Sandeep Sharma, 11. Umran Malik

Abu Dhabi Pitch Report and Weather

RCB were rolled for 92 in their only match at Abu Dhabi so far in IPL 2021. However, the pitch has been pretty good for batting in recent games, with RR chasing CSK’s 189 with ease over the weekend. The average first innings score on this ground this season is 149.33, with the chasing team winning five of the six matches.

The forecast is for more clear and warm weather.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

IPL 2021 Match 52: RCB vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BLR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Match 52: RCB vs SRH Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

IPL 2021 Match 52: RCB vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | BLR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Match 52: RCB vs SRH Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: Wriddhiman Saha
  • Batsmen: Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson
  • All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Jason Holder
  • Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rashid Khan

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

SRH have nothing to lose, but RCB look far more confident and well-rounded. RCB should win this.

IPL 2021 Match 51: RR vs MI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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IPL 2021 Match 51: RR vs MI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

IPL 2021 Match 51: RR vs MI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MI vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

For the entirety of IPL 2021, fans and pundits have been waiting for Mumbai Indians to find their best form. However, as each match has passed by, it has become crystal clear that the MI side of 2021, despite containing a very similar XI, has looked so different to the title-winning side of 2020.

Now, this is their final chance, and they need to win by a good margin. This looks unlikely given the way Rohit Sharma’s team has been performing this season, but their significant potential remains. They arguably have the highest ceiling of any of the four teams vying for that final playoffs spot, but whether they can flick the switch and produce the goods remains to be seen.

So, what an opportunity this is for Rajasthan Royals. The Royals, courtesy of Yashasvi Jaiswal and the returning Shivam Dube, produced a superb run-chase over high-flying Chennai Super Kings on the weekend. As a result, their fate is in their own hands, as two victories in their last two games will guarantee a playoffs appearance.

The talent is there for the Royals. However, it remains to be seen if they can execute in the crunch moments this week. They have a record over MI in recent seasons, with onus on the Indian and overseas talent to perform here to give the Royals a playoffs qualification match against KKR later this week.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Rajasthan Royals:

  • Yashasvi Jaiswal has been brilliant in the UAE leg. He has struck scores of 49 (36), 5 (4), 36 (23), 31 (22) and 50 (21). How he adjusts to the slow Sharjah pitch will be interesting to see.
  • Evin Lewis will also be key against his former franchise. Like Jaiswal, Lewis has been in good form in the UAE leg: 36 (21), 6 (4), 58 (37) and 27 (12). If he can put the pressure on in the powerplay, MI may not have the confidence and form to bounce back.
  • Sanju Samson has had a fine season (12 inns, 480 runs, avg. 48.80, SR 139.53) and has a fine record against MI (15 inns, 527 runs, avg. 37.64, SR 146.80). In fact, no player has more runs in MI-RR matches than the RR skipper.
  • Also, Samson loves batting at Sharjah, with three half-centuries in four matches (216 runs, avg. 54.00, SR 184.62). However, the surface is much slower this season, so how Samson adjusts will be key.
  • Can Shivam Dube follow up his brilliant 64* off 42 balls vs CSK? He struck 35 off 31 balls vs MI earlier this season, but it was a laborous innings that saw him dropped from the team afterwards. Key player.
  • Rahul Tewatia strikes every 13.50 deliveries at Sharjah. Given MI have struggled in the middle overs this season, Tewatia, who is coming off a three-wicket haul vs CSK, could prove to be a key bowler today.
  • Watch out for Mustafizur Rahman’s cutters on a slow pitch. MI have also struggled at the death, so the Fizz will be seeking wickets at the backend to slow MI’s progress. He has taken five wickets vs MI at an average of 23.80 and strike rate of 15.80, and will be looking to bounce back after a tough outing vs CSK (0/51 off four overs).

Mumbai Indians:

  • Cometh the hour, cometh the captain. Skipper Rohit Sharma must deliver in a time of need for Mumbai. He will have to improve on a sub-par record vs RR, with 371 runs in 18 matches at an average of just 20.61 (strike rate 126.19).
  • Also, Rohit has a poor record at Sharjah, with just 21 runs in four matches at an average of 5.25. Can he turn these numbers around today?
  • Quinton de Kock struck 70* off 50 balls vs RR earlier this season. He has a fine overall record for MI vs RR, with 245 runs in five matches at an average of 61.25 and strike rate of 145.83.
  • It has been starts galore for QdK in the UAE leg (17, 55, 24, 27, 19), and Mumbai needs their dynamic left-hander to carry on. He has 173 runs in five matches at Sharjah at an average of 43.25 and strike rate of 132.06.
  • It has been a season to forget for Suryakumar Yadav, but he will be looking to build on time in the middle in his last game vs DC (33 off 26 balls). He has an outstanding record vs RR (7 inns, 295 runs, avg. 49.17, SR 144.61), so MI fans will be hoping today is the day he finds his best touch.
  • Hardik Pandya has slammed 181 runs in six innings vs RR at an average of 60.33 and strike rate of 203.37. Given the Sharjah pitch has been home to low-scoring matches this season, any strong cameo from Hardik can shift the match in MI’s favour.
  • Jasprit Bumrah was brilliant against RR earlier this season (1/15 off four overs). He has 12 wickets in nine matches overall vs RR at an average of 19.33 and economy rate of 6.82. Also, Bumrah has five wickets in three matches on this ground (avg. 19, SR 14.40).
  • Trent Boult has taken seven wickets in just 12 overs at Sharjah (strike rate of 10.29). Also, he has nine wickets in seven career matches vs RR at an average of 23.67 and strike rate of 17.33.

Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 26, MI 13, RR 12, N/R 1.
  • Rajasthan have won five of the last seven meetings with Mumbai.
  • David Miller and Glenn Phillips could be crucial for RR today. Miller has a strong record vs MI, with 243 runs in 12 matches at an average of 34.71 and strike rate of 141.28. Phillips is having a strong year in T20s, with 1,277 runs in 46 matches at an average of 36.49 and strike rate of 153.49.
  • RR isn’t one of Kieron Pollard’s favourite opponents. In 18 innings against them, Pollard has scored 373 runs at an average of 24.87 and strike rate of 140.23. However, Pollard is a player who can produce in times of need.
  • Also, Pollard does have 15 wickets in 13 matches vs RR. So, Rohit could look to throw the ball to Pollard to bowl into the slow Sharjah surface.

Possible Playing 11

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Evin Lewis, 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3. Sanju Samson (c & wk), 4. Shivam Dube, 5. Glenn Phillips, 6. David Miller, 7. Rahul Tewatia, 8. Mayank Markande, 9. Karthik Tyagi, 10. Akash Singh, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Mumbai Indians: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Saurabh Tiwary/Ishan Kishan, 5. Hardik Pandya, 6. Kieron Pollard, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9. Jayant Yadav/Rahul Chahar, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Sharjah Pitch Report and Weather

Sharjah has been slow and low this season, with RCB, courtesy of Maxwell, defying the conditions last game to post over 160. The average first innings score on this ground this season is 139.17, with the chasing team winning four of the six matches.

The forecast is for more warm and clear weather in Sharjah.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

IPL 2021 Match 51: RR vs MI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MI vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Match 51: RR vs MI Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

IPL 2021 Match 51: RR vs MI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MI vs RR Dream11 Prediction Today | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Match 51: RR vs MI Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: Sanju Samson, Quinton de Kock
  • Batsmen: Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal
  • All-rounders: Rahul Tewatia
  • Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mustafizur Rahman

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

It’s crunch time. Mumbai have not got going all season, while Rajasthan will be looking to build on a fabulous run chase vs CSK. One gets the feeling that Rajasthan will come into this match with no fear and end Mumbai’s tough season.

IPL 2021 Qualification Scenarios: What does each team need to do?

Vaibhav Tripathi
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IPL 2021 Qualification Scenarios: What does each team need to do?

Cricket News: IPL 2021 Qualification Scenarios: What does each team need to do? | A look at IPL 2021 Qualification Scenarios for the playoffs

The World’s toughest T20 league is only getting interesting with each passing day. As we’re slowly heading to the business end of the tournament, the race to the playoffs is on with 4 teams still in the hunt for one qualification spot.

The League stage of the IPL 2021 is all set for a grand finish as the cash-rich league heads into a frenzy mode with four teams battling out for one final spot in the playoffs. Three teams- Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore have already qualified for the playoffs while the only team that’s been officially eliminated is the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals are the contenders for the final playoffs berth.

We take a look at what are the possible scenarios for the teams to qualify for the IPL 2021 playoffs.

Delhi Capitals

Games- 13, Points- 20, NRR- +0.526

Delhi Capitals have confirmed their place in the top two with a tough victory over CSK, led by Axar Patel and Shimron Hetmyer. They sit very well positioned with 20 points in 13 games with a positive net run rate of +0.526.

Upcoming fixtures: RCB on October 8

Chennai Super Kings

Games-12, Points- 18, NRR- +0.739

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings to become the first team to book their place in the round of the final four. CSK have had a fine season, but have lost their last two matches and will want to get back on track. Victory in their final game against Punjab Kings should seal a top two spot given their much superior net run rate (+0.739) compared to RCB’s -0.157.

Upcoming matches: PBKS on October 7

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Games- 12, Points- 16, NRR- -0.157

Royal Challengers Bangalore became the third team to qualify for the IPL 2021 playoffs. Virat Kohli’s RCB entered the play-offs after reaching 16 points from 12 matches. RCB also has a chance to finish in the top 2. They have to win their next two matches by a big margin or hope CSK lose their next match as RCB’s poor NRR might not allow them to finish inside the top 2.

Upcoming fixtures: SRH on October 6, DC on October 8

Kolkata Knight Riders

Games-13, Points-12, NRR- +0.294

After a much-needed win against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, KKR’s chances of reaching the play-offs received a huge boost. The Knights now stand with 12 points in 13 games with a positive net run rate which is better than the other teams who are in contention to qualify for the final spot.

All KKR needs to do is win their final match of the league stage and if they manage to win it by a big margin, the doors will be automatically closed on the other three teams who are in contention for the final spot.

Upcoming match: RR on October 7

Punjab Kings

Games- 13, Points- 10, NRR- -0.241

Punjab Kings had a fair chance to finish in the top 4 but the harrowing defeat against RCB has certainly dented their chances to qualify. Now, with only 10 points in 13 games they’ll have to rely on multiple factors. The best case scenario for PBKS is 12 points with a NRR that is marginally better than RR and MI, which will happen only if they win their last league game against CSK.

For Punjab to qualify, KKR need lose their next match to Rajasthan Royals and MI should beat RR on October 5. This alone won’t work as RR and MI also have to lose their other match by a big margin to help PBKS sneak through.

Upcoming match: CSK on October 7

Rajasthan Royals

Games-12, Points- 10, NRR- -0.337

The equation is pretty simple for Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals. RR has no options of losing; they have to win the remaining games against MI and KKR on October 5 and October 7 respectively to reach the play-offs. RR’s fate is in their hands as they play KKR as well, and after the last win against the table toppers CSK, they’ll be high on confidence to seal the number 4 birth.

Upcoming matches: MI on October 5, KKR on October 7

Mumbai Indians

Games- 12, Points- 10, NRR- -0.453

It is safe to say that the defending champions are struggling big time to secure their place in the top 4 of the points table. Mumbai Indians need to beat Rajasthan Royals on October 5 and Sunrisers Hyderabad on October 8. Also, they need to win those two matches by a big margin to get their net run rate into the positive territory which looks like an uphill task for Rohit Sharma’s men.

MI’s net run rate of -0.453 is the worst among the 4 teams in contention for the final play-offs spot. MI can get into the playoffs by winning only one of the remaining two fixtures but it would require a lot of other results to go their way, which is looking difficult at the moment.

Upcoming matches: RR on October 5, SRH on October 8

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Games- 12, Points- 4, NRR- -0.475

Since 2016, SRH played all the Playoffs and were the most consistent team until last year. However, this was their worst ever season as they struggled throughout be it the first phase in India or the second phase in UAE. The Orange army became the first team to get eliminated from the tournament.

Written by Vaibhav Tripathi. Follow Vaibhav on Twitter today.

Why has SRH had such a poor season in IPL 2021?

Tarkesh Jha
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0
Why has SRH had such a poor season in IPL 2021?

Cricket News: Why has SRH had such a poor season in IPL 2021? | A look at why Sunrisers Hyderabad have been so poor in IPL 2021

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have had a torrid campaign in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year. Having been one of the finest competitors in the league over the years, SRH are expected to live up to their high standards at all times.

However, at the time of writing this article, they have won only two out of their 12 games and sit at the bottom of the standings.

They have gone through very tumultuous times in this edition particularly, having dropped former skipper David Warner from the lineup yet failing to strike the right balance needed to cross over the finishing line time and again.

However, it is certainly arguable that SRH’s disappointing run this year is an accumulation of all of their errors in the last few years. In fact, it can be said that they have been somewhat fortunate to have qualified to the playoffs in the preceding two campaigns with only 12 and 14 points in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Why SRH were consistent in previous years

They set very high standards in 2018, finishing the atop the points table with 18 points but a close observer could very well point out that the impact that they were having that year was diminishing gradually these three seasons.

And their failure this year could be attributed to the fact that they didn’t embark on course-correction despite there being ample evidences of the necessity to do so.

Their success in 2018 was built on the success of a very fine bowling attack. The bowling unit wasn’t menacing as such. However, it was mighty effective for the major part of that campaign.

The likes of Siddarth Kaul and Sandeep Sharma had emerged as dark horses who efficiently employed their skills to extract great returns for a limited period of time.

However, it isn’t difficult to decipher that their overall skillsets were conveniently unfolded by their adversaries gradually. Hence, if one remembers correctly, even that year the SRH bowling attack performed optimally only until the fag end of the campaign. They were in fact clobbered by CSK in the finale who chased down 179 runs by losing merely two wickets with relative ease.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan were the other two pillars of the bowling lineup. However, Bhuvi has sort of blown hot and cold in recent times and there is only so much that Rashid can do all alone.

Why SRH have struggled badly in IPL 2021

However, SRH didn’t choose to modify their attack with the changing times. Instead, they have stuck to the 2018 formula until recently, with limited success that has been invigorated through the sustained brilliance of their Afghan wizard.

On the other hand, the success of any IPL team is actually largely driven by the success of one Indian batsman. That Indian player is supposed to be the fulcrum holding the entire batting order together, and has to be supplemented by certain other overseas performers.

But for a key Indian batter to hold the lineup together is of an utmost necessity.

Contrastingly, SRH have instead relied on their international batsmen to do most of the work. Yes, the likes of David Warner, Johnny Bairstow and Kane Williamson form an unbelievable trio that any team would be envious of.

However, playing all of them together hampers the balance of the team, leaving the middle-order very feeble. Moreover, it also takes a lot of sheen away from the bowling unit as well, making the team very top-heavy.

It is not entirely SRH’s fault though. They picked up Manish Pandey for big bucks in the mega auction and have depended on him to deliver the goods. Pandey hasn’t really lived up to the expectations though and neither did SRH pick up any reasonable alternatives to fulfill this criterion in the following auctions.

Instead, in recent months, they have looked up to the likes of Abhishek Sharma and Abdul Samad to do that role, both of them vastly inexperienced to carry out such a responsibility in a consistent manner.

The less talked about David Warner’s exclusion, the better it would be too. The Aussie didn’t perform up to his levels but seeing a guy who played so hard for the badge out of the XI seems quite odd too.

However, that storm could have been weathered with a better core group of domestic batsmen.

It’s more or less time for SRH to hit the reboot button completely. Foreign players are anyways prized assets and they can buy back/retain some of the existing ones or buy others in the mega auction. But it is the Indian core that they need to improve upon exponentially.

They will have to buy more assets who can give fixed returns over a long period of time than try and hit the homerun with fringe players. The thing with underdogs is that their gross value tends to recede gradually whereas other fundamentally strong players can collectively take up the team’s level next year.

Moreover, they need to learn to be more flexible in both their approach and ideas, something for which the backroom staff would have to be responsible for. They have been one of the more consistent units in the history of the IPL and are undergoing an off season like most teams do.

But, they will have to learn from the errors, correct them and then stand a chance to come back stronger.

Written by Tarkesh Jha. Follow Tarkesh on Twitter

IPL 2021 Match 50: CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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0
IPL 2021 Match 50: CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

IPL 2021 Match 50: CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | DC vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report

As opposed to other contests in IPL 2021 that have a direct impact on playoffs qualification, this one has a bit of a different feel. Both Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have already qualified as both teams have enjoyed excellent seasons respectively.

However, this doesn’t mean the 50th match of IPL 2021 isn’t an important one. Victory here will confirm a top two finish, and as history shows in IPL, winning the first qualifier often means winning the whole competition.

Also, this is a great chance for both teams to build momentum and confidence ahead of the playoffs. This could potentially be the first of three matches between the teams between now and the end of IPL 2021, so it will be interesting to see the tactics and approach. CSK have transformed their fortunes in 2021, but will be seeking a bounce back after a high-scoring loss to the Royals, while Delhi are coming off a hard-fought victory against the struggling Mumbai Indians.

Bring it on. This should be a good one.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Delhi Capitals:

  • Shikhar Dhawan is on a bit of a lean run in the UAE leg (8, 24, 8 in his last three knocks). Today, he meets a team he loves playing against, with 387 runs in eight innings for DC vs CSK at an average of 64.50 and strike rate of 140.22. This includes a 54-ball 82 earlier in IPL 2021.
  • Shikhar has a century vs CSK and a century at Dubai. Overall at this ground, Dhawan has struck 326 runs in 12 matches at an average of 29.64 and strike rate of 139.32.
  • Prithvi Shaw is also in need of some runs (11, 10 and 6 in the UAE leg so far). He was absoutely outstanding against CSK earlier this season, smashing a 38-ball 72. He and Shikhar Dhawan put on 138 in 13.3 overs for the opening partnership.
  • Shreyas Iyer has been brilliant in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. The right-hander has made scores of 47*, 43, 1 and 33*. Against CSK, he has scored 233 runs at an average 29.13 and strike rate of 113.11.
  • Iyer has a solid record at Dubai. In 10 innings on this ground, he has scored 299 runs at an average of 37.78 and strike rate of 114.12.
  • Rishabh Pant has an outstanding record vs CSK. In seven innings, the DC skipper has smashed 237 runs at an average of 47.40 and strike rate of 159.06. Also, Pant has been in solid form in the UAE leg, with scores of 35*, 24, 39 and 26. He was particularly aggressive against MI, so it will be interesting to see his approach today.
  • At Dubai, Pant has scored 270 runs in nine innings at an average of 38.57 and strike rate of 119.47.
  • Avesh Khan is having some season. He has taken the second-most wickets in 2021: 21 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 15 and brilliant economy rate of just seven runs per over.
  • Avesh has taken six wickets in the powerplay, eight wickets in the middle-overs and seven at the death. More impressive is the fact he has an economy-rate of 5.56, 6.50 and 8.68 respectively in all three phases.
  • Kagiso Rabada has taken five wickets in three matches vs CSK (avg. 17.00), as well as five wickets in four matches in the UAE leg. Also, Rabada enjoys bowling at Dubai, with 16 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 20.31 and strike rate of 14.25.

Chennai Super Kings:

  • Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to amaze. After a slow start to IPL 2021, Gaikwad has been unstoppable, with his latest innings a brilliant 101* vs RR.
  • Gaikwad has the second-most runs in IPL 2021, with 508 runs in 12 innings at an average of 50.80 and strike rate of 140.33. Also, Gaikwad has a terrific record at Dubai, with 230 runs in four matches at an average of 115 and strike rate of 133.72. This includes three half-centuries.
  • A 30+ score coming for Faf du Plessis? The right-hander has made starts galore in the UAE leg, with 31, 43, 41 and 25 in his last four knocks. Also, du Plessis averages similar for CSK vs DC, with 323 runs in 10 innings at an average of 32.30 and strike rate of 117.88.
  • Moeen Ali will be key against DC’s excellent middle overs bowling. He scored a 24-ball 36 against them last season, part of 299 runs this season at an average of 27.18 and strike rate of 139.71.
  • Ravindra Jadeja has been absolutely brilliant with the bat since the start of IPL 2020, striking 443 runs in this period at an average of 54.13 and strike rate of 162.87. Also, Jadeja has a solid all-round record for CSK against DC, with 187 runs (avg. 31.17, SR 148.41) and 12 wickets in 14 innings (avg. 25.67).
  • Jadeja at Dubai with the bat: 10 inns, 187 runs, avg. 46.75, SR 136.50. With the ball: 7 wickets, avg. 31.14, SR 23.14.
  • Dwayne Bravo is important to CSK as the men-in-yellow have missed his presence. He has figures of 3/25, 3/24 and 2/17 in phase two of IPL 2021, and has 15 wickets in 14 innings vs DC at an average of 23.40.

Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 24, CSK 15, DC 9.
  • DC (190/3) beat CSK (188/7) by seven wickets in the second match of IPL 2021.
  • Suresh Raina hit a 36-ball 54 vs DC earlier this season. No player has more runs in CSK-DC matches than Raina, with 552 in 22 matches at an average of 29.05 and strike rate of 132.06.
  • Steve Smith averages 35.22 in 12 matches vs CSK (317 runs). However, Smith has a poor record at Dubai, with 108 runs in seven matches at an average of 15.43.
  • Deepak Chahar has a dominant record vs Prithvi Shaw in IPL: 50 balls, 55 runs, five dismissals.

Possible Playing 11

Delhi Capitals: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Rishabh Pant (c & wk), 5. Shreyas Iyer, 6. Shimron Hetmyer, 7. Axar Patel, 8. R Ashwin, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Avesh Khan

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2. Faf du Plessis, 3. Moeen Ali, 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. Suresh Raina, 6. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Dwayne Bravo, 9. Shardul Thakur, 10. Deepak Chahar, 11. Josh Hazlewood/Sam Curran

Dubai Pitch Report and Weather

It was a tough, low-scoring match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders yesterday. Overall at Dubai this season, the average first innings score is 154.13, and the chasing team has won the last four matches (and five of the last six matches).

The forecast is for more warm and clear weather.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

IPL 2021 Match 50: CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | DC vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Match 50: CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

IPL 2021 Match 50: CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | DC vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Match 50: CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Base team:

  • Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant
  • Batsmen: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer
  • All-rounders: Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja
  • Bowlers: Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

This has the potential to be a cracking match. CSK’s finishing capabilities give them the edge, but the team who wins the powerplay period may well go on to win this match.

Analysing the rise of CSK from IPL 2020 to 2021

Robin Rounder
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Analysing the rise of CSK from IPL 2020 to 2021

Analysing the rise of CSK from IPL 2020 to 2021 | Looking at how CSK turned things around in IPL 2021 after a bad 2020 season

IPL 2020 was a horrific season for the Chennai Super Kings and their fans. The team looked in all-sorts for almost all the 14 games. It was the first time in 10 years that the Chennai Super Kings failed to qualify for the play-offs.

In the post match presentation after their last league match in 2020, Harsha Bhogle asked MS Dhoni if he has any message for the fans. Dhoni’s reply to this was “We’ll come back strong, that’s what we are known for.”

Almost a year later, CSK came back strong as promised.

CSK was the first team to be out of the play-offs race in 2020 and they are the first team in 2021 to have qualified for the play-offs. The way CSK bounced back after a disappointing campaign in IPL 2020 is truly applaudable.

CSK didn’t made a lot of changes to their squad after IPL 2020 instead they rectified a few things and made improvements in the areas where they lacked last season. Here we’ll talk about things that MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming did that helped CSK in making a strong comeback in IPL 2021.

Backing the Players

MS Dhoni is not known for making a lot of changes to playing 11 even if the team loses. Dhoni’s and Fleming’s backing to the players give them the much needed confidence and the sense of security that is needed for someone going through a bad phase. Even after a poor IPL 2020, Dhoni trusted his players and backed them to do well in IPL 2021.

Apart from releasing Kedar Jadhav and Harbhajan Singh, Shane Watson’s retirement, most of the squad remained the same for IPL 2021. One perfect example is Ruturaj Gaikwad who after struggling badly in his initial games in IPL 2020 found his mojo in the last three games of that season. He had a poor start in IPL 2021 as well but has been unbelievable since, with 508 runs in 12 games at an average of 50.80 and strike rate above 140.

Most of the teams would have made quite a few changes at least after how 2020 went for CSK. But Dhoni and Fleming trusted their players and made a few minor changes in the team combination in IPL 2021 which proved to be on point for them. Dhoni backing and trusting his players is nothing new and out of the box but it’s just one of those simple things that did the job for him and CSK this season.

Role Clarity

After IPL 2020, CSK brought in Moeen Ali which proved to be an extremely good signing. Moeen is a very destructive T20 batter but he wasn’t utilized well by franchises he played for and even the English cricket team in the shortest format. Moeen was asked to bat at number 3 for CSK even with Suresh Raina in the eleven who has been the number 3 batter for CSK for all these years.

Moeen at 3 proved to be a masterstroke for CSK as the southpaw has 278 runs in 10 games at an average of 27.8 and striking at 141. Moeen started attacking from ball one and completely shifted the momentum in CSK’s favor in a span of 2-3 overs. He solved CSK’s issue of batting slow in the middle-overs and was exceptional for them especially in the first-half of IPL 2021.

Suresh Raina despite being in poor form is a great player of spin bowling and Moeen at 3 allowed Raina to bat in the middle-phase where he’ll get to play more overs from the spinners and can attack them.

Ambati Rayudu was slotted to bat at 5 for CSK in IPL 2021 and he has played this role really well. He has been super aggressive and has played some really crucial knocks for CSK. Rayudu is a good player of spin bowling and can attack pacers as well. He has the license to play freely and has done his job with perfection. Rayudu has 195 runs at an average of 32.5 and is striking at an impressive 169.56!

The clear communication from players and role clarity that what the team wants from them is another simple yet very important thing CSK did perfectly in IPL 2021. MS Dhoni also utilized his resources really well and it proved to be match-winning for them.

Players played their roles really well as CSK has 7 different players winning man of the match out of their 9 wins in IPL 2021. This shows how trusting the players and having a clear communication with them can be very fruitful.

Analysing the rise of CSK from IPL 2020 to 2021 | Looking at how CSK turned things around in IPL 2021 after a bad 2020 season
Twitter: CricCrazyJohns

Batting Depth

The main reason for CSK’s poor performance in IPL 2020 was their batting. CSK batters failed to exploit the powerplay and were slow in the middle-overs as well. They also failed to finish the innings well and failed to chase targets due to this. But in IPL 2021 Dhoni and Fleming did something which was never done before.

They assembled a playing eleven which had a batting depth up to 10 or 11. Deepak Chahar bats at number 10 for CSK who is more than handy with the bat and if someday Dhoni decides to play both Sam Curran and Dwayne Bravo in the playing 11 then they’ll have a playing eleven where all of their 11 players will be capable of batting. This is the major change CSK did in IPL 2021 and is the biggest reason for their exceptional performance this season.

This mad level batting depth has allowed the batters to play freely and players like Moeen Ali and Ambati Rayudu have done exactly that. This also has allowed MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina who hasn’t been in good form with the bat to not become a liability to the team and play their natural game.

Here are CSK’s batting performance in different phases of an innings in IPL 2021:

Powerplay

Analysing the rise of CSK from IPL 2020 to 2021 | Looking at how CSK turned things around in IPL 2021 after a bad 2020 season
Twitter: FlashCric

Middle-Overs

Analysing the rise of CSK from IPL 2020 to 2021 | Looking at how CSK turned things around in IPL 2021 after a bad 2020 season
Stat Credit: TheCricketPanda (twitter)

Death Overs

Analysing the rise of CSK from IPL 2020 to 2021 | Looking at how CSK turned things around in IPL 2021 after a bad 2020 season
Twitter: FlashCric

The charts above show that CSK are still a little slow in the power play but they are not that slow when compared to the other teams. They score at almost the highest rate in the middle-overs and are on another level in the death overs scoring more than 12 runs per over. The batting depth allows flexibility and they can play according to the situation. This CSK batting can post huge totals and can chase big targets as well.

Captain MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni the captain has been invaluable for CSK in IPL 2021. Despite going through a poor form with the bat, Dhoni has played the most important role for CSK’s turnaround in IPL 2021. He is arguably the best white-ball captain in Cricket. Dhoni’s decision as captain to play Moeen at 3, Rayudu at 5, having a crazy batting depth up to number 10-11 proved to be the main reason for CSK’s success this year.

Obviously, Stephen Fleming too deserves all the appreciation as the coach of the team but Dhoni has been as usual brilliant in leading the team. His field placements on the field, rotation of bowlers, and most importantly the game awareness and knowing what needs to be done in a certain situation is CSK’s biggest strength. Having a smart captain like Dhoni has played a very crucial role for CSK over the years and their performance in this season shows his value as the captain when runs are not coming off his bat.

CSK management and the fans will hope that he lifts the trophy once again in 2021 and leads CSK to their 4th title.

Written by Robin Rounder. Follow Robin on Twitter today.

Twitter reactions as RR beat CSK in high-scoring thriller

Nash Sant
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Twitter reactions as RR beat CSK in high-scoring thriller

Cricket News: Twitter reactions as RR beat CSK in high-scoring thriller | RR beat CSK in high-scoring match at Abu Dhabi: Twitter reactions

Until now, IPL 2021 phase 2 had been what some fans would call, “boring”. Slow and low pitches are not exactly the recipe for a T20 tournament and pitches in the UAE have provided at best sub-par totals in all the games played so far. 

That changed last night when fans were treated to an absolute run fest by Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. It all started when CSK’s golden boy this season so far, Ruturaj Gaikwad, played the innings of his lifetime supported by his team-mates around him. Gaikwad got his first IPL century on the last ball of the innings when he hit a six off Mustafizur. 

But that innings was quickly overshadowed when Rajasthan got off to a flier with Yashaswi Jaiswal hitting it to all parts of the ground. RR, at the end of the powerplay were 81/1 and then Shivam Dube finished off with 64 from 42. With that, now there are 4 teams on 10 points vying for the 4th playoff spot. 

RR beat CSK Twitter reactions

Written by Nash Sant. Follow Nash on Twitter today

IPL 2021 Match 49: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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0
IPL 2021 Match 49: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

IPL 2021 Match 49: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | KOL vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report

It’s on. Four teams, level on 10 points, are in the race for a playoffs berth.

Kolkata Knight Riders are best placed thanks to their superior net run rate, but they will want to leave no stone unturned in this crucial game. Their fielding was a major let down against fellow playoff rivals Punjab Kings last time out, after they fought hard to stay in the game. The absence of Andre Russell and Lockie Ferguson didn’t help, and if they are out again, KKR will need their big guns to step up even further in this time of need.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, who have had a terrible season, have the chance here to play party-pooper. In fact, they were the side to end KKR’s playoffs hopes last season with victory over Mumbai Indians, and they will be aiming to be of nuisance value once again. While their batting has been a major letdown, they have shown positive signs with the ball in recent games. Given KKR’s up and down middle order – particularly if Russell is unavailable again – any inroads into the top order gives SRH a strong foothold in the contest.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Kolkata Knight Riders:

  • Venkatesh Iyer has been central to KKR’s improvement in phase two of IPL 2021. The left-hander has struck two half-centuries in five matches, with a total of 193 runs at an average of 48.25 and strike rate of 141.91.
  • He has also taken three wickets in the last two matches, and features in the death overs. Given SRH’s middle order struggles, Iyer could be in the wickets again today.
  • It is disappointing to see Shubman Gill averaging less than 20 in IPL 2021 (avg. 19.91). It has been a mixed bag for Gill in phase two of IPL 2021, with two 30+ scores and three below 15.
  • Gill has a decent record vs SRH, with 170 runs at an average of 35 and strike rate of 112.90. Also, Gill prefers to bat second in IPL, with an average of 37.9 compared to 24.9 batting first.
  • Rahul Tripathi has shown signs of his best form in phase two (scores of 74*, 45, 9 and 34). He has two half-centuries in six innings vs SRH, including a 29-ball 53 earlier this season.
  • Nitish Rana was player of the match against SRH earlier in IPL 2021 (80 off 56 balls). Like Tripathi, Rana is in some decent form of late, with scores of 37*, 36* and 31 in his last three matches.
  • Against SRH, Rana has struck 315 runs in 10 innings at an average of 31.50 and strike rate of 136.36. Rana also has similar stats in Dubai, with 140 runs at an average of 35.00 and strike rate of 144.33.
  • Sunil Narine has been terrific in the UAE leg (0/20, 1/20, 3/41, 2/18, 1/34). However, Narine has historically struggled against SRH, with just 10 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 44.00 and strike rate of 39.60. Also, Narine strikes every 40 deliveries in five IPL matches at Dubai. Can he turn these numbers around?
  • Varun Chakravarthy’s UAE leg has followed a certain trend. He has gone wicketless every two matches (3/13, 0/22, 1/22, 0/24 and 2/24). Can he break that trend here? He has two wickets in three matches vs SRH (SR 36), but he enjoys bowling at Dubai, with eight wickets in four matches at an average of 11.13 and strike rate of 12.00.

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

  • Is this the game SRH bring Manish Pandey back? The right-hander scored a 44-ball 61* against KKR earlier this season, part of 155 runs for SRH vs KKR at an average of 38.75 and strike rate of 122.05.
  • Also, Pandey enjoys batting at Dubai. He has scored 329 runs in 10 innings on this ground at an average of 41.13 and strike rate of 122.76.
  • Wriddhiman Saha hasn’t found the fluency he had in IPL 2020. Could today be the day? He strikes at 139.76 in 15 career knocks vs KKR, at an average of 32.64.
  • Jason Roy smashed 60 off 42 balls in a player of the match performance two games ago vs RR on this ground. Dubai is a truer surface than Sharjah, so Roy will be looking to play aggressively from the get go.
  • Kane Williamson has been below par by his standards in the UAE leg. Also, he has a modest record vs KKR, with 197 runs at an average of 28.14 and strike rate of 129.61.
  • However, Williamson has a fine record at Dubai. He has scored 188 runs in seven innings at an average of 62.67 and strike rate of 124.50.
  • Jason Holder has taken 3/19 and 3/27 in his last three matches. However, those bowling performances were on the slower pitches of Sharjah. He strikes every 19.83 balls at Dubai (six wickets in five matches).
  • Rashid Khan has 11 wickets in 11 innings vs KKR (avg. 25.91). Also, Rashid has taken one wicket in each match in the UAE leg.
  • Also, SRH could look to use Rashid as a pinch hitter. His 35 runs vs KKR come at a strike rate of 269.23.
  • No bowler has more wickets in SRH-KKR matches than Bhuvneshwar Kumar (20 in 17 matches, avg. 25.35). However, Bhuvi has been in poor form, with just the two wickets in four matches so far in the UAE leg whilst being a little expensive.

Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 20, KKR 13, SRH 7.
  • KKR have won four of the past five matches vs SRH, including by 10 runs earlier this year.
  • If Andre Russell is fit, he will have to improve on a poor record vs SRH. In 10 innings, he has scored just 116 runs at an average of 12.89 and strike rate of 148.72.
  • Eoin Morgan is in horrible form, but KKR and England fans hope today is his day. He has scored 134 runs in five innings vs SRH at an average of 33.50 and strike rate of 157.65.
  • Dinesh Karthik is five runs away from 4,000 in IPL.

Possible Playing 11

It remains to be seen if Andre Russell and Lockie Ferguson are fit for this clash. Also, KKR could look to play Shakib Al Hasan over Tim Seifert.

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Shubman Gill, 2. Venkatesh Iyer, 3. Rahul Tripathi, 4. Nitish Rana, 5. Eoin Morgan (c), 6. Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7. Tim Seifert/Shakib Al Hasan, 8. Sunil Narine, 9. Tim Southee/Lockie Ferguson, 10. Prasidh Krishna/Sandeep Warrier, 11. Varun Chakravarthy

Sunrisers Hyderabad could look to bring Manish Pandey back into the XI.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Priyam Garg/Manish Pandey, 5. Abhishek Sharma, 6. Jason Holder, 7. Abdul Samad, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Siddarth Kaul, 11. Sandeep Sharma

Dubai Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score at Dubai in IPL 2021 is 159.71. The chasing team has had more success in recent matches, with three victories in a row for the team batting second (and four of the last five).

Out of the three grounds, Dubai looks the best for batting. The forecast is for more clear and warm conditions.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

IPL 2021 Match 49: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | KOL vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Match 49: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

IPL 2021 Match 49: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | KOL vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Match 49: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Base team:

IPL 2021 Match 49: KKR vs SRH Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | KOL vs SRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
IPL 2021 Match 49: KKR vs SRH Fan2Play

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?

Match Prediction

SRH have nothing to lose, which makes them a dangerous proposition. KKR will be hoping at least one of Russell and Ferguson are fit enough to play. KKR start as favourites, but will need to bat well to win.

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