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IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021

Charbel Coorey
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IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021 | Which players will Mumbai Indians purchase in the IPL 2021 Auction?

Mumbai Indians (MI) are so settled that most of the players they purchase in the auction go on to be backup/reserve players. In their successful Title defence in 2020, MI used the least number of players, with their consistency and continuity a key factor to their triumph.

This season, however, MI could look at a number of pace bowling options after releasing a few seamers. As a result, the seamers they purchase could go on to play a number of matches throughout the tournament. This, in addition to batting cover, could form a crucial part of their Auction strategy, as they have seven slots to fill out of their squad of 25.

Here are five players MI could target in the upcoming auction.

Also read: This article is part of CricBlog’s IPL series. Check out 5 players other IPL teams could buy in 2021:

5. Arjun Tendulkar

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021 | Which players will Mumbai Indians purchase in the IPL 2021 Auction?
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021: Could MI go after Arjun Tendulkar?

How great would it be for a Tendulkar to join the Mumbai Indians? 21-year old Arjun, son of the great Sachin, has been in outstanding form for the MIG Cricket Club. Just a week before the auction, Tendulkar slammed a 31-ball 77, which included five sixes in an over, and also took three wickets in a massive 194-run win for his team.

Given the strength of MI, the youngster will have to bide his time to get any chance to play for the first XI. However, the chance to be in the squad and learn from some of the greatest T20 players in history is a great opportunity for both Tendulkar and the Mumbai Indians.

4. Shivam Dube

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021 | Which players will Mumbai Indians purchase in the IPL 2021 Auction?
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021: Shivam Dube could be a handy pick.

A key asset of MI is the strength of their all-rounder department. However, should Hardik, Krunal or Kieron Pollard be unavailable, Shivam Dube is a player who could be a handy backup option. This allows MI to play four overseas players in other key positions if one of their Indian all-rounders is ruled out.

Dube, who has represented India 13 times in T20Is, can send the ball a long way. Also, he can chip in with handy overs, which will allow Rohit Sharma to rotate his bowlers. Joining such a high-performing environment and culture could bring the best out of Dube.

3. Krishnappa Gowtham

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021 | Which players will Mumbai Indians purchase in the IPL 2021 Auction?
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021: MI could go after Gowtham.

Mumbai Indians could look at bolstering their spin stocks for IPL 2021, and Krishnappa Gowtham would be a handy option. In 2018, Gowtham produced decent performances, with 11 dismissals in 15 matches at an economy rate of 7.80. He had also scored 126 runs at a strike rate of 196.87.

Unlike the 2020 edition of IPL, the 2021 version will be played on more spinning tracks, i.e. Chennai. So, a backup off-spinner who can bat can be a very handy pickup for the defending champions.

2. Jhye Richardson

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021 | Which players will Mumbai Indians purchase in the IPL 2021 Auction?
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021: Jhye Richardson to MI?

Mumbai Indians released Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson and Mitchell McClenaghan, and will be without Lasith Malinga. So, they will look to bulk up their pace stocks to partner the superb duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult.

One bowler they can look at is the impressive Jhye Richardson, who is coming off a good BBL 10 campaign. The Aussie speedster finished with the most wickets (29) at a fine strike rate (12.7) and economy rate (7.69) given he bowled overs in the powerplay and death periods.

1. Chris Morris

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021 | Which players will Mumbai Indians purchase in the IPL 2021 Auction?
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players MI can target for IPL 2021: Morris can be a handy pick for MI.

Given Chris Morris’ injury history, any franchise would be taking a risk going after him. However, with the depth MI have, Morris could make them even stronger, given his ability to bowl in the death overs. He and Jasprit Bumrah in the final overs is a tantalising prospect for Rohit Sharma and his men, as it could prove very difficult for the opposition to finish strongly.

Morris was quite impressive for RCB in 2020, especially in the first few matches of his campaign. Overall, he took 11 wickets in nine games at an economy rate of 6.63, which is a fantastic record given he bowled many of his overs in the crunch stages.

Also read: This article is part of CricBlog’s IPL series. Check out 5 players other IPL teams could buy in 2021:

Chennai Pitch: Divided opinion on Twitter during Test

Charbel Coorey
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Chennai Pitch: Divided opinion on Twitter during Test

Chennai Pitch: Divided opinion on Twitter during Test | Is the Chennai pitch for the 2nd Test suitable for Test cricket? Twitter reactions

As India roar back in their ongoing four-match battle with England, another battle took place on social media. With Ashwin wheeling away in true, brilliant Ashwin fashion, opinion was divided on Twitter regarding the 22 yards where the action takes place.

Former cricketers Mark Waugh and Michael Vaughan led the way in the view that the Chennai pitch isn’t suitable for Test cricket. Both pointed to the fact that any pitch that “explodes” on days one and two doesn’t make for a fair contest between bat and ball, and places too much emphasis on the toss. Many pundits and fans also shared the same view, which will be highlighted in this article.

On the other side of the coin, pundits, fans and former cricketers also were in favour of the Chennai surface, emphasising that Test cricket is a test of ability in all kinds of conditions. In fact, India preparing such a pitch is actually a risk when 1-0 down, as it brings the two teams closer together Also, comparisons were made to green pitches, and why they are widely accepted compared to sharp turners that are often found in the subcontinent.

One argument made is that green pitches often settle down and allow for a good battle between bat and ball. Sharp turners, however, continue to get worse as the Test goes on. Here is a snapshot of the discussion, with both sides presenting their cases with a great deal of vigour.

Which side are you on?

Argument 1: Chennai pitch not suitable

Kevin Pietersen also chimed in, claiming the toss was very crucial in the second Test.

Argument 2: Chennai pitch is fine

Shane Warne led the way in saying that the toss in the first Test was more important than this one. England, who bowled India out for 319, didn’t bowl well enough to restrict India to the 220-230 mark.

As compared to the one-sided second Test, the action on Twitter was intense. It will be interesting to see the ICC’s verdict on this surface, and how the pitches will play in the remainder of the series.

IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players to keep eye on

Tarkesh Jha
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IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players to keep eye on

IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players who could be bought | IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players to keep eye on in Auction

No Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise can succeed without sufficient contribution from its domestic players. International stars prove to be the decisive factor, but it’s the seven Indian players who formulate the base upon which a side’s success is built.

Indian internationals are already few in numbers and picked up aplenty by teams upfront. This time, the auction might arguably see minimal spending with the mega auction set to take place ahead of IPL 2022. Hence, uncapped players, especially the Indian ones who have made heads turn in domestic competitions recently, might be on the radar of certain teams. Here, we take a look and elaborate of five such cricketers.

Also read: 5 international stars who could land an IPL 2021 contract

1. Krishnappa Gowtham

IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players who could be bought | IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players to keep eye on in Auction
IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players to keep eye on: Gowtham could be a handy pick.

Krishnappa Gowtham was quite impressive for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018. The off-spinning all-rounder had scalped 11 dismissals in 15 matches at an economy rate of 7.80. He had also scored 126 runs at a strike rate of 196.87. Thereafter, Gowtham excelled in the Karnataka Premier League (KPL), especially due to his swashbuckling, attacking batting approach. However, his skillsets with the willow is a bit susceptible against express pace bowling that one often comes along in the IPL.

However, it is needless to say that he is more than useful to score quick runs with the bat and possesses requisite abilities to bowl well in T20s too. Gowtham can be used to restrict the flow of runs in the field restriction overs and can be handy with the bat at number six or seven. Impactful Indian all-rounders are hard to come by in the IPL. With Gowtham arguably being one, he should attract quite a few suitors next week. 

2. Vishnu Solanki

Vishnu Solanki is a right-handed batsman from Baroda who had recently impressed the audience with his performances in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Solanki had scored 267 runs in eight innings at an average of 53.40 with two half-centuries to his name. He had notched 21 boundaries and 12 sixes and had a strike rate of 128.36. The 28-year-old has the ability to bag runs aplenty, which is highlighted with his overall average of 35.71 in 41 domestic T20 matches.

Solanki briskly notches runs and might suits the requirements of teams that need some good domestic players to add some quality squad depth. Moreover, the batsman has grinded it out in the domestic circuit over the years and also stepped up to the stage by becoming the fifth highest run-scorer in SMAT 2021. His form came into fore in a tournament that was closely followed by teams preparing their auction strategy. There will be clarity over whether his performances caught the attention of any of teams in the coming week.

3. Mohammed Azharuddeen

IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players who could be bought | IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players to keep eye on in Auction
IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players to keep eye on: Mohammed Azharuddeen can send the ball miles.

Kerala’s new 26-year-old star Mohammed Azharuddeen had shot into limelight through his blitzkrieg century against Mumbai in SMAT 2021. On 13th January, Azhaduddeen scored a century in 37 deliveries against the 41 time Ranji champions. He bagged 137 runs off 54 deliveries and suddenly the entire domestic circuit was talking about this new lad from the southern state. It was not merely his daddy hundred that made people take notice of him.

It was the fact that his innings came against one of the most prominent domestic sides, which perhaps showcases that Azharuddeen can perform similarly well in higher levels of the sport too. Now, the player might be anticipating one of the IPL teams to pick him up too. Speaking to Indian Express, the batsman quipped, “Pressure is there even when we play on the paddy fields. It’s always there. But that century (against Mumbai) gave me more confidence. It made me more responsible.” Moreover, the batsman scored runs at a strike rate of 194.54 too, a trait that several teams will look to add in their setup.

4. Tushar Deshpande

IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players who could be bought | IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players to keep eye on in Auction
IPL Auction 2021: 5 uncapped Indian players to keep eye on: Deshpande has something about him.

Tushar Deshpande played five matches for the Delhi Capitals last year and his statistics might not appear too hunky-dory. However, the lad appeared to have immense skin in the game. He seemed to touch 140 kmph regularly and has a very good yorker up his sleeves. Moreover, Deshpande plays Ranji Trophy regularly too and hence he is aware of working well with the new ball initially too.

Additionally, Deshpande has developed a few knuckle-deliveries that makes him quite a handy customer with the ball. Overall, the 25-year-old can move the ball upfront, consistently deliver balls in the block hole in the end and can be called up in the middle stages to hit the hard lengths too. Numbers do not tend to display the entire potential of a player on occasions and merely having observed Deshpande ply his trade in IPL 2020 can indicate that he will surely be sought by at least a few teams in the upcoming auction.

5. Avi Barot

SMAT 2021 might have happened at an appropriate time for many young Indian players. Avi Barot, fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament, might just be one of them. Playing for Saurashtra, Barot amassed 283 runs in five innings at an average of 56.6 that included a century and half-century too. However, more impressively, he scored these runs at a strike rate of 184.96. He notched 32 fours (second-highest) and 12 sixes in those games and certainly carved an impact that must have been keenly followed by several teams.

Obviously, most sides have their batting units fixed and it is generally difficult for any new domestic player to be suddenly inducted in the playing XI. However, the likes of Barot can gain invaluable experience merely by spending time with the coaching staff of any franchise. Moreover, players do tend to receive opportunities through their associations with teams over time and then it is only a matter of who manages to make the most of those chances.

The likes of Barot, Azharudeen and Solanki have certainly done their job a month ahead of the auctions. Now, it is upon the franchises to invest in these lads and even groom them over time to regularly attain game-time in the future.

Written by Tarkesh Jha. Follow Tarkesh on Twitter today.

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought

Tarkesh Jha
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IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought | 5 international star cricketers who could be purchased in the upcoming IPL Auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction is around the corner and franchises will be working over-time to finalize their targets before heading straight into action. 292 players will go under the hammer in Chennai on 18 February. Teams will look to strengthen their squads temporarily as the mega-auctions will anyways take place ahead of the 14th season of the league in 2022.

Hence, sides might look at this auction as a short-fix solution to give them their best opportunity to claim the trophy in the coming campaign. International stars, though underperforming on occasions, continue to attract top-drawer sums during the bidding process. In this article, we take a look at five overseas players who will be actively sought after in the coming week.

Also read: 5 BBL stars who could get an IPL 2021 contract

1. Aaron Finch

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought | 5 international star cricketers who could be purchased in the upcoming IPL Auction
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought: Aaron Finch is an experienced international.

Aaron Finch has been a part of eight IPL franchises in the past, without resounding success anywhere. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had high expectations from him last year, but the Australian skipper didn’t really do justice to the hopes laid on him. He had scored 268 runs in 12 matches, which included a solitary half-century. However, Finch continues to be one of the most remarkable cricketers in limited-overs cricket in world cricket. His reputation alone will draw teams towards him.

Moreover, Finch’s addition to the team will solidify the top-order with a reliable stroke-player – a quality that many teams look to have in their roster. He has scored 486 runs at an average of 34.71 including three half-centuries in 2019 and 2020. His quality as a player has never been doubt. But, an IPL record of average of 25.70 with a strike rate of 127.70 does not inspire enough confidence. However, teams could very well place their bets on the seasoned opener, hinging on the anticipation that he can overturn his poor record in the league so far.

2. Shakib Al Hasan

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought: Shakib is a fine all-rounder

Shakib al Hasan will back in the fray after having completed his suspension period. The Bangladeshi all-rounder can be a very efficient utility player for any franchise. He is wily with the ball, well-adept with the unique demands placed on a finger-spinner in the blitzkrieg of the shortest format of the game. Moreover, Shakib can very well be used as a floater in the batting order. He can come out to bat at the top to structure an innings, or be sent later on add some quick runs to the overall tally.

He is the kind of character that teams will desire to have in their setup too; someone who carries a cool head and has gone through the rigours enough to step up for the team in testing times. The 33-year-old’s innate acquaintance with several demanding match-situations makes him a useful player to have in the middle-order or as an alternative in the squad too. Surely, a few sides might want to add some dimensions of versatility in their squad by the addition of Shakib Al Hasan.

3. Chris Morris

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought | 5 international star cricketers who could be purchased in the upcoming IPL Auction
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought: Morris looked good for RCB.

It is slightly appalling that RCB released Chris Morris. His induction midway into last season had infused a lot of incisiveness and pace to their bowling lineup. Morris was critical to the team’s success both in the field restriction overs as well as during the death overs. The all-rounder bowled hard-lengths over 140 kmph, which made it difficult for batsmen to navigate the threat that he posed during the two critical phases of an innings.

However, Morris’ form seemed to have tapered off in the final stages of the campaign. Maybe, that triggered the team to offload him from the squad. However, if four months ago was any indication, then Morris can be an extremely invaluable asset for any team. He can function as a proper fast bowler, capable of fetching wickets and stifling the flow of runs. Secondly, he can tonk the ball hard with the willow. Which team will let go of securing a player having such traits, at a base price of merely Rs 75 lakhs? The auction will put forth the required answers…

Also read: 5 uncapped Indian players who could be bought in the IPL 2021 Auction

4. Mujeeb ur Rahman

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought | 5 international star cricketers who could be purchased in the upcoming IPL Auction
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought: Mujeeb has been excellent in recent months.

Mystery spinners are always desirable in T20 cricket, especially if they have already proven their worth in the topmost level. Mujeeb ur Rahman was fairly successful in his first season in 2018 with Kings XI Punjab. He couldn’t make it to the playing XI regularly in the last two years owing to team combination issues. The Afghan spinner is ranked 2 in the world in ICC standings for best bowlers in both T20Is and ODIs. He plugs the flow of runs and picks wickets in field restriction overs.

He can also be used as a defensive alternative in the middle overs or brought on to take some wickets in exchange of a few additional runs in the death. Overall, he still retains the tricks that propelled him to pick 14 wickets in 11 matches at an economy rate of 6.99 in IPL 2018. He just needs a team that plays him regularly, allowing him to get into an unperturbable rhythm. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to believe that teams can make space for a wicket-taking, mystery spinner that adds a unique element to their bowling unit, isn’t it?

5. Glenn Maxwell

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought | 5 international star cricketers who could be purchased in the upcoming IPL Auction
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 international stars who could be bought: Maxwell’s potential is significant.

Glenn Maxwell, like Finch, has been largely dismal in the IPL. He has regularly fallen short of living up to the expectations attached to him. However, the player is filled with so much talent and qualities suitable to T20 cricket that compels teams to trust on him season on season. And, it isn’t right to blame them either as Maxwell’s performances in the international circuit have been quite impressive over the years too.

Moreover, a few sides often tend to lack attacking batsmen in the middle-order, who can enhance the scoring rate in the final phases of the innings. CSK looks like one such team this time around, and there must be others with similar requirements too. That makes one believe that Maxwell will be actively chased this time around too. Hopefully, the player will manage to replicate his true talent and potential in the league, if he is picked by one of the franchises.

Written by Tarkesh Jha. Follow Tarkesh on Twitter today.

PAK vs SA 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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PAK vs SA 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

PAK vs SA 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs RSA 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Pakistan vs South Africa 3rd T20I Key Players | Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report

After losing the last five T20Is in a row finally Waka-Waka for Africa!

Dwaine Pretorius was the hero of the day after registering his best T20I figures and help South Africa to level the series. It was Pretorious’ heroics with the ball which restricted Pakistan to a below-par total, before Reeza Hendricks and Pite Van Biljon put up a solid partnership to get the Proteas the series-leveling win.

It would be quite a fair assessment if we say Pakistan was completely outplayed by a young and inexperienced Proteas side. Speaking after the match, Hendricks said the Proteas were happy that their performance got them back into the series. Now, the challenge will be to continue the good form.

Mohammad Rizwan scored another half-century and was Pakistan’s best player but after he got out none of the Pakistani batsmen could keep up the tempo. The Pakistani side would be very keen to bounce back and grab the series which makes the final T20I a cracker pot. Can the Pakistani batsmen, other than Rizwan, perform in what’s been an under-par display so far?

PAK vs SA 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs RSA 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Pakistan vs South Africa 3rd T20I Key Players | Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report | PAK vs SA who to pick for Dream11 3rd T20 | PAK vs RSA who will win 3rd T20I
PAK vs SA 3rd T20I Preview Dream11: Babar to hit top form?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Pakistan:

  • Babar Azam, the Pakistani Skipper, looked quite disappointed after the loss in the second T20I and will look to score a bucket of runs and seal the series for the hosts. Considering the decider Azam would be the best bet for the Captaincy in this match!
  • Mohammad Rizwan is in the form of his life and rightly so, he has been picked by a massive 96% of users in their Fantasy teams. Rizwan’s last three T20 scores are 89, 104, and 51.  Rizwan is showing the Pakistani batters how the job is done and will be the first pick while creating the Fantasy Team.
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi , the Pakistani Left Arm Seamer, looked impressive in defending a below-par score at Gaddafi Stadium and would like to continue his form and get Pakistan a win. He has picked 4 wickets in the last three T20Is.
  • Usman Qadir has been impressive since his debut and has picked 11 wickets in the 5 T20Is he has played. Considering South Africa’s struggle against quality Leg-Spin he will be a must watch for this match.

South Africa:

  • Reeza Hendricks, after missing out in Momentum ODI Cup, seems to be back among the runs. He has scores of 52 and 42 in the two T20Is and will look to finish on a high in the third T20I as well.
  • Dwaine Pretorious will be high on confidence after registering his T20I figures and will carry the confidence in the decider. He will be a good choice of VC in Grand Leagues, after taking a brilliant 5/17 yesterday. 
  • David Miller looked good in his knock of 25* which took South Africa home after a couple of quick wickets looked to derail the chase. He is a key player for the Proteas in the decider.
  • Andile Phehlukwayo and Tabraiz Shamsi are bowling crucial overs and one feels that they could both be in the wickets as a result.

Stats and Facts

  • Dwaine Pretorious became the first bowler from the South Africa Men’s Team to take a 5 wicket-haul in T20Is. Previously Shabnam Ismail and Sune Luss both took a 5-fer from the Women’s team.
  • South Africa broke their 5 matches losing streak. It was also their longest losing streak in T20Is.
  • Pakistan’s defeat in the second T20I broke their streak of six straight wins at home.

Possible Playing 11

Pakistan can bring in Asif Ali for Hussain Talat.

Pakistan: 1. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 2. Babar Azam (c), 3. Haider Ali, 4. Hussain Talat/Asif Ali, 5. Iftikhar Ahmed, 6. Khushdil Shah, 7. Mohammad Nawaz, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Usman Qadir, 10. Shaheen Afridi//Hasan Ali, 11. Haris Rauf

South Africa is expected to go with the same lineup or they can bring Jacques Snyman for JJ Smuts.

South Africa: 1. Janneman Malan, 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Jacques Snyman/JJ Smuts, 4. Heinrich Klaasen (c & wk), 5. David Miller, 6. Dwaine Pretorius, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Bjorn Fortuin, 9. Junior Dala, 10. Lutho Sipamla, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather

The pitch is best suited for batting and has enough in it for the fast bowlers, too. If the same surface is used again, it will offer more assistance to spinners in the backend of the innings.

The weather is expected to be mostly cloudy for this game, with the temperature hovering around 15 Degrees Celsius.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

PAK vs SA 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs RSA 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Pakistan vs South Africa 3rd T20I Key Players | Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report | PAK vs SA who to pick for Dream11 3rd T20 | PAK vs RSA who will win 3rd T20I
PAK vs SA 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

PAK vs SA 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs RSA 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Pakistan vs South Africa 3rd T20I Key Players | Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report | PAK vs SA who to pick for Dream11 3rd T20 | PAK vs RSA who will win 3rd T20I
PAK vs SA 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction

Match Prediction

Expect South Africa to give a good fight but considering various parameters, an experienced Pakistan should seal the series!

Thanks for reading!

Written by Shekhar Singh. Follow Shekhar on Twitter today.

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021

Robin Rounder
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IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Kings XI Punjab can target ahead of the upcoming IPL 2021 season

They spend a lot of money in the IPL auction, pick big names in the international circuit, look like a fascinating squad on the paper, but somehow fail to deliver as a team in the IPL.

The case of Kings XI Punjab over the years.

They started miserably in IPL 2020 by losing five consecutive games, by virtue of which they missed the playoffs berth despite a really good comeback in the latter half of the tournament. Ahead of IPL 2021, the Punjab-based team has released many of its players and will look to fill the loopholes by buying some impactful players in the upcoming auction.

Here is my list of five such players whom KXIP could buy in the auction:

Also read: This article is part of CricBlog’s IPL series. Check out 5 players other IPL teams could buy in 2021:

5. Shivam Dube

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Kings XI Punjab can target ahead of the upcoming IPL 2021 season | KXIP squad 2021 | players that KXIP might buy in 2021 Auctions
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 – Dube can offer value.

The lack of application from the Indian core was one of the main concerns for KXIP last year. Their batting mostly relied on their top 4 and the Indian middle-order batsmen failed to showcase their skills.

So, they might think of buying an Indian hard-hitting batsman in the form of Shivam Dube, who was released by RCB this year. Dube played some good cameos down the order for RCB in IPL 2020 and did a decent job with the ball on a few occasions as well. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021, he scored 161 runs in 5 innings at a healthy SR of 138.79. Also, he bowled with a decent economy of 7.5 in the tournament. Therefore, he surely can be a decent domestic buy for the KXIP who can provide some quick runs batting at number 6 or 7 and give 2-3 good overs if required.

4. Fabian Allen

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Kings XI Punjab can target ahead of the upcoming IPL 2021 season | KXIP squad 2021 | players that KXIP might buy in 2021 Auctions
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 – Allen has all-round ability.

Belonging to the category of “T20 specialists”, Fabian Allen can be a good buy for KXIP team because of his multidimensional skills. After releasing K.Gowtham, KXIP needs someone who can play the impactful cameos down the order and give some good overs with the ball as well.

Fabian Allen is the perfect candidate for this job. In the recently concluded T10 league, Allen took 11 wickets from 9 games at the most impressive SR of a mere 5.82. Also, his batting SR was 190 in the tournament and he played a tremendous knock of 28 off just 10 balls against the Delhi Bulls. Thus, Allen could be a very useful addition to the KXIP team as he can finish games and bowl some tight overs as well.

3. Moeen Ali

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Kings XI Punjab can target ahead of the upcoming IPL 2021 season | KXIP squad 2021 | players that KXIP might buy in 2021 Auctions
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 – Moeen has plenty of experience.

The English spin bowling allrounder is one of the overseas players who plays spin bowling very well. The KXIP team has a dynamic top four comprising of Rahul, Mayank, Gayle, and Pooran, but beyond that their batting order looks fragile and inexperienced.

Moeen Ali can settle the nerves in the middle order and prevent sudden collapse by stabilizing the innings. Also, his off-breaks might be useful for the team as they don’t have a reliable right-arm off-break bowler after releasing Gowtham. Therefore, I won’t be surprised if they bid for the experienced Moeen Ali in the upcoming auction.

2. Kyle Jamieson

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Kings XI Punjab can target ahead of the upcoming IPL 2021 season | KXIP squad 2021 | players that KXIP might buy in 2021 Auctions
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 – Jamieson has been superb.

Kyle Jamieson has been sensational since his debut for New Zealand in the international arena. The Kiwi allrounder has been phenomenal with the ball and has shown his ability to hit big shots when required. Talking about stats, Jamieson has a good average of over 27 and a decent SR of 138.68 with the bat and also has taken 54 wickets from 38 T20s at an average of 20.59 and a good SR of 15.4. Also, he has a decent economy of 7.98 in the t20s. As KXIP has released Jimmy Neesham, they might look at Kyle Jamieson, who has enormous potential with both bat and ball and he might satisfy their quest for a seam-bowling all-rounder.

1. Jhye Richardson

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players KXIP can target for IPL 2021 – Richardson was strong in BBL 10.

After recovering from an unfortunate shoulder injury, Jhye Richardson looked in complete rhythm in the recently concluded BBL. The Australian young fast bowler emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 29 wickets from 17 matches, at a very good average of 16.31 and an extremely good SR of 12.72.

He was impressive particularly in the death overs as he took 13 of his 29 wickets in that phase of the game. He can make the new ball talk, has really good pace, and also bowls some quick yorkers. As KXIP struggled with their fast bowling especially at the death, Richardson can be a good overseas buy for them. Therefore, there is a definite possibility of KXIP going for the Australian speedster in the coming auction.

Also read: This article is part of CricBlog’s IPL series. Check out 5 players other IPL teams could buy in 2021:

These were the players that we think KXIP can go for in the upcoming mini-auction.

Thanks for reading!

Written by Robin Rounder. Follow Robin on Twitter today.

PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Shekhar Singh
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0
PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Dream11 Prediction Today | South Africa vs Pakistan 2nd T20I Key Players | Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report

Cricket Pundits hardly gave Proteas a chance against Pakistan but a depleted South Africa side came threateningly close to a victory in the first T20I.

Proteas opening batsman Janneman Malan in a virtual conference said “When you play at this level against Pakistan, there will always be pressure. But it is a good opportunity to bounce back hard. We have that ability. One game and then the momentum can change into the final game. So it is an opportunity to show fight and come back strong,” 

The Proteas ended up just one hit away from a win and if they can take their game to the next level, the team has a good chance of registering a victory.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan was the star of the Pakistani camp and scored his first century in the T20I, and also become the second Pakistani batsman to score hundreds across formats. All eyes will be on him how he shapes up after back to back centuries in Test and T20I. His team, Pakistan, will be looking for a more improved showing, after nearly coming up short against their inexperienced opponents.

PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SA vs Pak 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Gaddafi Lahore Pitch Report | PAK vs RSA Dream11 Today
PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Preview Dream11: Tabraiz Shamsi has been in some good form of late.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

  • Babar Azam will be looking to back among the runs after getting runout on zero on his home ground in the first T20I. Azam needs no introduction and will be a must pick in this match, as he boasts a T20I average of 49.44 in 45 T20Is.
  • Mohammad Rizwan is in career-best touch. After hitting a hundred in the second Test, Rizwan followed it up with a fantastic century in the first T20I. Key player.
  • Usman Qadir was the most impressive bowler from the Pakistani camp and got the crucial wickets. South Africa has shown struggle against quality wrist spin in past well and Qadir will look to capitalize on that and seal the series for Pakistan.
  • Mohd Nawaz did not get a wicket in the first T20I but bowled a good line and length and can be used as an X-factor in Grand League teams.

South Africa

  • David Miller is the only proteas player in the squad who has got some experience of playing in Pakistan. Miller toured Pakistan in 2017 with a World XI side which played three-match Twenty20 series. In the absence of several Proteas T20 stars, Miller would love to stand up and take the charge. He has made 202 runs from 13 matches which includes three World XI matches as well.
  • Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers from the Proteas camp and the onus will be on him to perform in the second T20I as well. 
  • Jacques Snyman did not have the debut he would have liked but the Proteas batsman can hit the bowl long and will be a good pick in Grand Leagues.
  • Reeza Hendricks scored a fifty in the first T20I, but pressure will be on him to score at a slightly quicker rate. His opening partner, Janneman Malan, has looked good in international cricket to date and is coming off a 29-ball 42.

Stats and Facts

  • Pakistan have won their past six T20Is at home (vs Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and South Africa). However, one feels they can still produce a higher level of cricket.
  • Mohammad Rizwan is now just the second wicket-keeper batsman to score a century in all three formats. The other is former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum.
  • South Africa are on a T20I losing streak of five matches. This is their longest losing streak ever.

Possible Playing 11

Pakistan can rest Shaheen Afridi and give a chance to Hasan Ali who was impressive in the second Test Match.

Pakistan: 1. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 2. Babar Azam (c), 3. Haider Ali, 4. Hussain Talat, 5. Iftikhar Ahmed, 6. Khushdil Shah, 7. Mohammad Nawaz, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Usman Qadir, 10. Shaheen Afridi//Hasan Ali, 11. Haris Rauf

South Africa is expected to go with the same lineup or they can make one change by bringing J Smuts.

South Africa: 1. Janneman Malan, 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Jacques Snyman/JJ Smuts, 4. Heinrich Klaasen (c & wk), 5. David Miller, 6. Dwaine Pretorius, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Bjorn Fortuin, 9. Junior Dala, 10. Lutho Sipamla, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi

Also read: PSL 2021: Complete schedule, squads and team information

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather

The pitch is best suited for batting and has enough in it for the fast bowlers, too. As the series progresses, the pitch will become slower and will start assisting the spinners more.

The weather is expected to be mostly cloudy for this game, with the temperature hovering around 15 Degrees Celsius.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SA vs Pak 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Gaddafi Lahore Pitch Report | PAK vs RSA Dream11 Today
PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SA vs Pak 2nd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Gaddafi Lahore Pitch Report | PAK vs RSA Dream11 Today
PAK vs SA 2nd T20I Dream11 Prediction

Match Prediction

It’s always hard to predict Pakistan as no one knows which Pakistan side will turn up on the day but as they are playing at home against what remains an inexperienced Proteas side, they stand favourites.

Written by Shekhar Singh. Follow Shekhar on Twitter today.

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players SRH can target for IPL 2021

Robin Rounder
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IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players SRH can target for IPL 2021

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players SRH can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Sunrisers Hyderabad could buy for the upcoming IPL 2021 season

Sunrisers Hyderabad has been one of the most consistent outfits in recent years in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). One of the major reasons for the success that SRH has endured over the years has been largely attributed to their smart team management and other members of the think tank.

They’ve been very impressive with their auction strategies almost every year and it was no different this season. SRH has retained the core by trusting most of its players from the last season. The side, however, released Sanjay Yadav, Sandeep Bhavanka, Billy Stanlake, Fabian Allen, and Yarra Prithviraj ahead of the mini auction on February 18.

So, heading into the auction, SRH need to address some issues with their squad. The first of them would be the problem of a lower middle-order batsman. Since the departure of Yusuf Pathan, there hasn’t been any player who can fill the boots of a finisher. They also need to look at finding an Indian pool of established and consistent players who can prove to be suitable backups for their first-choice players.

Also read:

5. Sherfane Rutherford

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The hard-hitting 22-year-old southpaw has the reputation of being a ferocious lower-order batsman. He has played 7 games for the side without much success picking one wicket and scoring 73 runs with the willow. The Guyanese all-rounders breakthrough season was in 2018 while playing the CPL he accumulated 171 runs at a strike rate of 142.5 which earned him a national call-up. If given a go he would look to replicate the same form to have a breakthrough season in the IPL. Rutherford has the power game and the advantage with him is he’s a left-hander, which can push his case ahead of Mitchell Marsh and Jason Holder. With the ball too he can chip in with a few overs and with his cutters into the deck he can pick an odd wicket or two.

4. Jalaj Saxena

Jalaj Saxena is a spin-bowling all-rounder who is very useful as an off-spinner in T20 cricket. He’s been a stalwart in the domestic circuit for years now. Barring Mohammad Nabi, the orange army lacks a local off-spinning option, and Jalaj can be a very good buy as he is now consistently performing in domestic cricket.

He got 10 wickets in five matches during the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2020/21. Saxena could offer a lot of variety with his off-spin and could turn out to be a smart recruit. He has also played for India A and was part of the Delhi Capitals set up before being released ahead of this year’s IPL auction. The 34-year-old has the experience of bowling to top-class batsmen as well, despite not having played international cricket yet.

3. Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan is a dyed-in-the-wool finisher and this breed comes rare in the game. With his performances, he has earned the title of being a match-winner with the bat in the domestic circuit. He caught everyone’s eyes after conjuring a blinder, a 19-ball unbeaten 40 in the Quarter Final against Himachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He can be an impact player for SRH in the lower order.

SRH has always been a team that backs young Indian players and one could see that last year in 2020. The 25-year-old has played in 31 T20 matches and has a strike rate of 131.29. So, this means that he can assist SRH’s top-order during tough chases.

2. Riley Meredith

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players SRH can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Sunrisers Hyderabad could buy for the upcoming IPL 2021 season | SRH IPL 2021 auction strategy | players SRH could buy in 2021
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players SRH can target for IPL 2021: Meredith can offer some depth.

Riley Meredith is an exciting right-arm quick from Australia who is yet to make his first appearance in the biggest T20 league in the World. The cricketer has gone unsold in both the previous auctions of the cash-rich league he applied in.

Meredith is coming off a good BBL 10 with 16 wickets to his name in 13 innings at an average of 24.60 and an economy of just under 8 runs per over. He can be a decent option for SRH’s bowling line-up with Bhuvneshwar Kumar expected to spearhead the attack along with Jason Holder, T. Natarajan, Khaleel Ahmed, Sandeep Sharma, Siddharth Kaul, and Basil Thampi. SRH has parted ways with Stanlake and Meredith can be a like-for-like replacement for him. He can clock 90+MPH easily and can bowl at any phase of the game.

Also read: 5 BBL stars who could get an IPL 2021 contract

1. Shakib Al Hasan

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players SRH can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Sunrisers Hyderabad could buy for the upcoming IPL 2021 season | SRH IPL 2021 auction strategy | players SRH could buy in 2021
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players SRH can target for IPL 2021: Shakib is a fine all-rounder

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan recently made his comeback in international cricket after serving a one-year ban from ICC. He has been part of the SRH setup in the past and knows this franchise well.

Shakib can be a reliable middle-order batsman and can easily bowl 4 overs every game in the IPL; be it powerplay or middle overs, Shakib is a reliable entity with the ball. SRH’s middle-order lacked a left-handed batsman in the mix as Abhishek Sharma only played a handful of games. On slow wickets, he can play ahead of Jason Holder. Together with Rashid, he’ll form a potent spin duo. The 33-year-old has played 63 games in the league, scoring 746 runs in addition to picking up 59 wickets.

The comeback of the former Bangladesh skipper will mean that the leadership group will strengthen as there’s already Kane Williamson, Jason Holder to support captain David Warner.

These were the 5 players that SRH can look to pick in this auction. Do let us know your picks.

Thanks for reading!

Written by Robin Rounder. Follow Robin on Twitter today.

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players DC can target for IPL 2021

Robin Rounder
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IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players DC can target for IPL 2021

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players DC can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Delhi Capitals can look to purchase in the upcoming IPL 2021 Auction

The rise of the Delhi Capitals in the last two seasons of the Indian Premier League was one of the major highlights of the mega event. The Delhi-based team made remarkable progress and qualified for the playoffs in two consecutive seasons, i.e. 2019 and 2020.

However, although they played the final in 2020, there were still some areas of concern for them regarding the best possible team combination. While their bowling department looked settled, various experiments were done in their batting order. So, ahead of the IPL 2021, Delhi Capitals have released several players and will look for some fresh faces to fill the voids they have in the squad.

Here are five players that DC could pick in the IPL auction 2021:

Also read:

5. Akash Singh

Although DC have a solid fast bowling duo in the form of Rabada and Nortje, they don’t have a single left arm seamer now as Daniel Sams was traded to RCB. Akash Singh, the young left-arm seamer, was a part of the Indian U19 World Cup squad in 2020. His numbers were decent (7 wickets from 6 games at an economy of 3.81) in that tournament and he was bought by the Rajasthan Royals but didn’t get an opportunity in IPL 2020.

He can swing the new ball and bowl at the death too. His left arm angle could bring the variety into the bowling attack. As DC doesn’t have Mohit Sharma, Harshal Patel, and Tushar Deshpande now, they might go for this exciting domestic prospect in the upcoming auction.

4. Matthew Wade

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players DC can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Delhi Capitals can look to purchase in the upcoming IPL 2021 Auction
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players DC can target for IPL 2021: Matt Wade could be a handy pick.

After releasing Alex Carey DC can look to get Matthew Wade as the backup for Rishabh Pant. Wade played his last IPL game almost a decade ago but the Australian southpaw was in amazing touch in the recent t20I series against India where he was the top scorer with 145 runs from 3 innings at a terrific average of 48.33 and a brilliant SR of 154.26.

Also, he scored 105 runs from 3 innings in the recently concluded BBL with an extraordinary SR of 187.50. More importantly, he opened in all these games and used the powerplay with absolute perfection.

Picking Wade can be beneficial for DC in two ways. Firstly, he can open with Dhawan, which will allow Stoinis to play as a finisher. Secondly, he can be the backup wicketkeeper for Rishabh Pant.

If Wade maximizes the powerplay, Dhawan and Iyer can play their natural game and they can set the stage for Stoinis to go for the perfect finish.

3. Vishnu Vinod

The young wicket-keeping batsman from Kerala is well known for his fearless batting in the domestic circuit. In T20s, Vishnu Vinod has scored 906 runs from 34 innings at a good strike rate of 136.03.

Although he was not at his very best in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year, still he played a magical knock of 71 runs off just 38 balls involving 3 fours and 5 gigantic sixes coming at number 5 against Delhi and helped Kerala win the game by chasing a big target of 213 successfully.

He can be a great domestic option for DC as they only have one keeper in their squad (Rishabh Pant) and Vinod, who has a good six-hitting ability, can do well for them.

2. Glenn Maxwell

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players DC can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Delhi Capitals can look to purchase in the upcoming IPL 2021 Auction
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players DC can target for IPL 2021: Maxwell can cause damage.

Glenn Maxwell’s journey in the IPL hasn’t been inspirational so far. The Australian star has been a part of numerous IPL teams because of his extraordinary hitting skills but somehow has failed to impress.

He was released by the Kings XI Punjab basing on his poor returns in the IPL 2020 ahead of the auction 2021. Maxwell got his rhythm back in the ODI series against India just after the IPL, where he scored 167 runs in 3 innings at a strike rate of 194.19. His strike rate in the next T20I series was 150. Also in the BBL, he scored 379 runs and played some impactful knocks including a blistering 70 against the Melbourne Stars and 71 against the Sydney Sixers.

This shows he is in fairly good touch and might attract a few teams in the auction this year. DC could also go for him considering his experience of batting in the middle order and his ability to finish the match. He can deal with the spinners very well by playing his innovative shots and that makes him a crucial player in the middle overs as well.

1. Chris Morris

IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players DC can target for IPL 2021 | 5 players Delhi Capitals can look to purchase in the upcoming IPL 2021 Auction
IPL 2021 Auction: 5 players DC can target for IPL 2021: Could Morris be a great pickup?

Chris Morris brings exceptional value to any T20 side. He is a bowler who can bowl at any stage of the match and also is a tremendous hitter down the order.

The Delhi Capitals struggled to find the perfect opening partner of Shikhar Dhawan last year. So, they changed the role of Marcus Stoinis from finisher to opener with the progression of the league.

They might stick to this idea in 2021 as well and therefore they need someone down the order who can score some runs in a really quick time. Morris, Rabada, and Nortje can form a very lethal bowling line-up for DC which will be very beneficial for them going into the tournament.

These were the 5 players we think DC can pick in the upcoming auction. Do you think there are other players they should go for? Have your say.

Thanks for Reading!

IND vs ENG 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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0
IND vs ENG 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report

IND vs ENG 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs ENG 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction Today | India vs England 2nd Test Key Players | Chennai Pitch Report

After many predicted that India would sweep this four-match series, England proved that they are not here to be pushovers. England’s fantastic Chennai victory – their sixth straight in Asia – has set the scene for the remainder of what promises to be a fascinating series.

Indeed, England did get the best of the conditions in the first Test. However, the way they utilised these conditions was most impressive, including the fact that they gave the pitch a chance to deteriorate in their favour after batting a mammoth 190.1 overs in the first dig. The superb Joe Root led the way, and England would want more of the same from the in-form captain, with apt support from batsmen and bowlers alike. So, the challenge for the tourists will be whether they can back up a great performance with another at the same venue.

India, just like the case after a harrowing defeat in Australia, will have to come back from 1-0 down. Virat Kohli’s men barely got a sniff in the opening Test, so improvement in all three facets of the game is required here. The bowlers’ ability to find penetration will come under question again, as well as the ability of the batsmen to avoid losing a cluster of wickets.

Interestingly, losing a cluster of wickets would have been something for England to avoid ahead of the series. That certainly remains the case, but India, the home side, are in the same boat. And, perhaps most importantly, if India lose this Test, then they are out of contention for the World Test Championship Final. What a letdown that would be after one of their greatest overseas triumphs just last month.

IND vs ENG 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs ENG 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction Today | India vs England 2nd Test Key Players | Chennai Pitch Report | Chepauk Pitch Report | Best Dream11 prediction for Ind vs Eng 2nd Test today | IND vs ENG Dream11 Team which players to choose
IND vs ENG 2nd Test Preview Dream11: Will Kohli break his century drought?

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

India:

  • Virat Kohli played superbly on a tough pitch in the second innings of the first Test. The Indian skipper now has one fifty and one century in two Tests at Chennai, and he will be crucial here. Remember, he scored a massive 655 runs in five Tests against England in 2016, at an average of 109.16.
  • Rohit Sharma had a poor first Test (6 & 12), but still averages 79 in 15 home Tests. If India get the opportunity to bat first, he will be a key wicket.
  • Cheteshwar Pujara has scored three fifties in his last three Tests. His 73 in the first Test was impressive, before an unlucky dismissal ended his stay. Also, he averaged 52.97 vs England in 2016 (401 runs). Key player.
  • Rishabh Pant has made three scores in the 90s (92, 92 and 91) in three home Tests. His battle with Jack Leach will be one to watch.
  • Ravichandran Ashwin is coming off a six-wicket haul in the second innings. This was an improvement on his overall record vs England, which reads 65 wickets in 16 Tests at an average of 34.64.
  • Jasprit Bumrah sent down 42 overs for a total of 4/110 in the first Test. With some reverse swing expected to be on offer, Bumrah will be a key weapon for India.

England:

  • Joe Root is in career-best form. He has plundered scores of 228, 186 and 218 in his three Tests in 2021. Also, he now has the most runs of any current player in India-England Tests, with 1,679 runs in 17 Tests at an average of 62.18.
  • Dominic Sibley played nicely in the first innings of the first Test, batting 286 balls for his 87 to keep India at bay. Can he produce that kind of innings again in this game?
  • Ben Stokes had a limited role with the ball, but made an impact with the bat. He is coming off a brisk 82 (118), which has taken his batting average in India to nearly 40 (39.45).
  • Can Jack Leach back up a strong performance with another? After conceding his first 100 runs in 20 overs (no wickets), he then took 6/81 in his next 30 overs.

Stats and Facts

  • R Ashwin has the most wickets of any current cricketer at Chepauk (22, average: 27.81).
  • Joe Root averages 64.76 in seven Tests in India.
  • Ben Foakes is set to play. He made a great impression against spin in Asia in 2018, striking a century on debut away in Sri Lanka.

Possible Playing 11

Axar Patel is available for selection and could come in for Washington Sundar. Also, Kuldeep Yadav is a good chance to play after Nadeem was released from the squad.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Rishabh Pant (wk), 7. Axar Patel, 8. R Ashwin, 9. Ishant Sharma, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

There will be a few changes for England:

  • Jos Buttler has headed home for rest. Ben Foakes is set to replace him.
  • Jofra Archer is out with an elbow injury. James Anderson is set to be rested. So, it is likely that Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad will play.
  • Dominic Bess is also set to be rested. This could pave the way for Moeen Ali to play in this Test. Moeen does have good memories of this ground, as he scored a century here in 2016.

England: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Dominic Sibley, 3. Dan Lawrence, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Ollie Pope, 7. Ben Foakes (wk), 8. Moeen Ali, 9. Chris Woakes, 10. Jack Leach, 11. Stuart Broad

Chepauk Pitch Report and Weather

A photo of the pitch suggests that this track will certainly support the spinners. It looks quite dry and bare on top, so a good first innings score will provide a huge stronghold in the match.

It will be hot, humid and sunny throughout the Test, which will test the players. Also, this will bring spin and reverse swing well into play, especially from days two and three.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

IND vs ENG 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs ENG 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction Today | India vs England 2nd Test Key Players | Chennai Pitch Report | Chepauk Pitch Report | Best Dream11 prediction for Ind vs Eng 2nd Test today | IND vs ENG Dream11 Team which players to choose
IND vs ENG 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

IND vs ENG 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs ENG 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction Today | India vs England 2nd Test Key Players | Chennai Pitch Report | Chepauk Pitch Report | Best Dream11 prediction for Ind vs Eng 2nd Test today | IND vs ENG Dream11 Team which players to choose
IND vs ENG 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction

Match Prediction

Will the toss decide this Test? The beauty about Test cricket in 2021 is that teams who have won the toss haven’t always gone on to win. However, the team who bowls first here needs to be able to build pressure and take wickets to stay in the game. India start as favourites and can be backed to win, but a lot will depend on how well their spinners can pressure England, as well as how many big partnerships they can string together.

Thanks for reading!

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