South Africa has announced that it is hosting England, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Pakistan starting from November 2020 to April 2021. Cricket South Africa has announced that they will host five Tests, six ODIs, and six T20Is and is in talks with Pakistan to play Tests and T20Is. According to the schedule, SA will play against England from November 27 to December 9. Later on, then will play against Sri Lanka from December 26 to January 7 and Australia and Pakistan after that; dates of which aren’t declared yet.
The teams will practice and play the tournament behind closed doors. The PCB has also confirmed that this tour will take place. “The Pakistan Cricket Board today confirmed the men’s national team will tour South Africa in April 2021 for three One-Day Internationals, which will be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, and as many T20 Internationals,” the PCB said in a statement on Tuesday. “Pakistan has now agreed to fulfill its Future Tours Programme (FTP) commitment prior to visiting Zimbabwe for two Tests and three T20Is. The schedule of both the series will be announced in due course.”
“It is an absolute pleasure to deliver more good news for our cricket-loving fans to consume, following last week’s confirmed tour against England and domestic season launch,” Kugandrie Govender, CSA’s acting CEO, said. “The Covid-19 pandemic predictably forced many changes to the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) and the traditional sequencing of scheduling matches in South Africa this season. This is why I am particularly proud of today’s announcement. It comes as a result of many hours of dedication, negotiation and hard work by individuals behind the scenes to ensure that our fans have an exciting line-up of cricket to look forward to throughout the summer.”
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
IPL 2020 Match 49: CSK vs KKR Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | CSK vs KKR Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
All to play for. With every team having played 12 matches, the final few days of the IPL 2020 league stage presents a world of opportunity for franchises and fans alike.
Unfortunately for Chennai Super Kings, though, that opportunity only translates into being nuisance value for other teams as they are now eliminated. After beating RCB comfortably on the weekend, CSK now have the chance to put a serious dent in Kolkata Knight Riders’ playoff hopes. KKR, who have been so up-and-down in IPL 2020, will likely need two wins from their final two games to qualify, given their poor net run rate of -0.479.
A win for KKR will see them overtake Kings XI Punjab and go back into the top four, as well as go level with Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals. A loss, though, will have them hoping that Kings XI Punjab loses their next game, otherwise qualification would become too difficult due to their net run rate issue. Crucial game.
IPL 2020 Match 49: CSK vs KKR Preview Dream11: Can Sam Curran influence this game?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Youngster Raturaj Gaikwad announced himself on the IPL scene with an excellent 65* off 51 balls last game vs RCB. Can he back it up with another strong effort today?
MS Dhoni also showed some good touch in his short stay at the crease last game vs RCB (19*). The CSK skipper has a superb record for CSK vs KKR, and can spoil their playoff hopes if he fires: 19 inns, 481 runs, avg. 60.13, SR 140.64.
It was Rahul Tripathi who starred for KKR vs CSK earlier this season, with 81 off 51 balls. Since then, though, Tripathi has struggled for form (71 runs in seven innings), so is this the day he fires?
Shubman Gill has hit eight double-figure scores in his last 10 innings, and is coming off a half-century against KXIP last match. In four matches vs CSK so far, Gill has scored 92 runs at 30.67. Can he influence this game?
Faf du Plessis started the season brilliantly (282 runs in first five matches at avg. of 94), but has since fallen off to the detriment of CSK (119 runs in next seven innings at avg. of 17).
Eoin Morgan’s last five innings: 39*, 34, 30, 17, 40. Morgan has a very respectable record in IPL 2020 (335 runs, avg. 37.22), but is yet to convert a start into a fifty. Can he do so today?
Sam Curran has a shining light for CSK. He has taken the most wickets for them in IPL 2020 (13), along with 173 runs at a strike rate of 136.22. He took 2/26 vs KKR earlier this season.
Ravindra Jadeja has not had an impact with the ball in IPL 2020 (four wickets in 12 games). But, if he gets the chance to bat, one might expect him to score well. In 12 innings for CSK vs KKR, Jadeja has struck 189 runs at an average of 47.25 and SR 136.96. Also, Jadeja has hit 128 runs in last six innings in IPL 2020 (two dismissals, SR 175.34).
Sunil Narine has the second-most wickets in KKR-CSK games (15 in 13 matches). Also, Narine’s contribution will be key in the middle order with the bat, as KKR really benefitted from his 64 off 32 balls two games ago vs DC.
Varun Chakravarthy has taken at least one wicket in four of his last five matches, including a brilliant 5/20 vs DC.
Lockie Ferguson (3/15, 1/17, 1/30 and 1/32 in IPL 2020) will be key in the middle overs against a CSK side that has often struggled in this stage in IPL 2020. His pace partner, Pat Cummins, will be looking to make an impact in the powerplay. Remember, CSK were reduced to 3/4 vs MI two games ago.
Imran Tahir is wicketless so far in IPL 2020. However, he has six wickets in three games for CSK vs KKR. Will today be his day?
Stats and Facts
Matches 24, CSK 14, KKR 9, 1 abandoned.
KKR (167) beat CSK (157/5) by 10 runs earlier this season. This game was one of the various occasions in IPL 2020 in which CSK couldn’t accelerate when needed.
Eoin Morgan or Sunil Narine could bat as high as four for KKR to counter the CSK spin-trio of Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja and Imran Tahir. All three spinners primarily turn the ball into the left-hander.
Plus, when Dinesh Karthik enters the crease before the 10th over in IPL 2020, he struggles: 48 runs in eight innings at an average of 6.00 and a strike rate of 72.73. Second half of the innings: 100 runs at 33.33 and 175.44.
KKR’s powerplay batting average of 22.45 and scoring rate of 6.86 are both the worst among all teams in IPL 2020. Here, they need to look to avoid losing powerplay wickets – an achilles heel for them in recent times.
CSK are not far behind with a batting average of 23.71 and scoring rate of 6.91.
Possible Playing 11
Andre Russell is out of the Lankan Premier League due to injury. So, it is unlikely he will feature today. For CSK, they could look to persist with the same team that beat RCB.
Chennai Super Kings: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2. Faf du Plessis, 3. Ambati Rayudu, 4. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 5. N Jagadeesan, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. Sam Curran, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Deepak Chahar, 10. Monu Kumar, 11. Imran Tahir
Sunrisers Hyderabad belted 219/2 on this ground two nights ago, showing that the pitch can still be a good one to bat on under lights. The Dubai pitch has been showing signs of slowing down, though, which could make chasing with dew around the preferred option. In fact, the chasing team has won five of the past seven games at Dubai.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
IPL 2020 Match 49: CSK vs KKR Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
IPL 2020 Match 49: CSK vs KKR Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
Both teams have shown inconsistency in IPL 2020, which makes this match difficult to predict. If KKR show the kind of form they showed two games ago against DC, they will win this match. If they are off their game, CSK, who will play with freedom, have what it takes to win.
India T20I squad for AUS tour: Did India make the right calls? | Analysing India’s T20I squad for their Australia tour – key points
The much-awaited squads of India’s tour of Australia were picked by the Indian selection committee, led by Sunil Joshi and Harvinder Singh. As always, the Indian squads have a lot of talking points, surprising selections, notable omissions and a few controversies.
India’s tour to Australia will begin with a three-match ODI series in Sydney on 27th November, followed by the 2nd ODI on 29th November. The action will move to Canberra on 1st and 4th of December with the 3rd ODI and 1st T20I, before the cricket returns back to Sydney for the final two T20Is on December 6 and 8.
The most surprising point of India’s T20I squad was the notable omission of Suryakumar Yadav. The top-order batsman has been in scintillating form for the Mumbai Indians over the last three seasons. In the ongoing IPL 2020 season, he has scored 362 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 155.36 and average of 40.22. In the 2018 and 2019 seasons, SKY had scored 512 and 424 runs respectively. Along with the IPL, he also scored 392 runs at a strike rate of over 160 and average of 43 in the 2019 Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy.
So, why did Suryakumar Yadav miss out on the T20I call-up? With the exclusion of Rishabh Pant, the squad needed a back-up wicket-keeper and Sanju Samson got the nod of the selectors. Yadav’s direct competition for the spot was with Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey. Both the players were a part of India’s playing XI against New Zealand in the 5-match T20I series earlier in 2020, where India whitewashed the Kiwis and the team management must have thought of not tinkering with the winning combination.
Too many anchors in the middle order?
India T20I squad for AUS tour: How will Shreyas Iyer fare in Australia?
In spite of India’s T20I series win against New Zealand, there were a lot of question marks over the number of batsmen with the same playing ‘style’ in the playing XI. While Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey are all exquisite top order batters, two of them playing at numbers 4 and 5 doesn’t really make sense, especially when the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant aren’t in the squad.
The team management may explore the option of playing Sanju Samson instead of Pandey or Iyer, to have the option of an accelerator in the XI. With Hardik Pandya included in the squad as a specialist batter and no Rishabh Pant, Pandya may well be promoted to the No. 5 slot.
Varun Chakravarthy gets his maiden call-up; Will only one wrist spinner work in T20I?
Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, earned his maiden international call-up after impressive performances in IPL 2020. He has bowled at an economy rate of just over 7 RPO and has taken 12 wickets, including a 5-wicket haul against the Delhi Capitals.
However, the team just has 1 leg-spinner in Yuzvendra Chahal and with no Rahul Chahar and Kuldeep Yadav in the squad, India’s inclusion of just a solitary leg-spinner may turn out to be their weakness in the bigger grounds of Australia.
On the back of an impressive IPL 2020 so far, where he is the sixth-highest run-scorer, Mayank Agarwal is included in the T20I squad. It will be interesting to see whether Mayank opens the batting with his long time friend KL Rahul, who has been named as the vice-captain in the limited overs sides. He can be edged by Shikhar Dhawan who is the second-highest run-scorer, after scoring two centuries in two matches during the ongoing IPL 2020 tournament.
No Rishabh Pant
India T20I squad for AUS tour: Did India make the right to leave out Rishabh Pant?
Another notable omission was that of Rishabh Pant, who missed out on the wicketkeeping slot to KL Rahul and Sanju Samson. The Rajasthan Royals batsman was chosen as a backup keeper as Rahul was expected to be the first choice gloveman for India, as it was the case earlier this year in New Zealand.
Pant had not quite grasped the opportunities given to him in T20Is, and isn’t in the best of form in the ongoing IPL as well, where he is striking at just 115 in nine matches.
AB de Villiers opts out of BBL 2020; third child on the way | AB de Villiers will not play in this year’s Big Bash League due to family reasons
AB de Villiers, South African superstar and one of the all-time greats, was signed by Brisbane Heat last year with much aplomb. However, the South Africa batsman has opted out of BBL 2020. Considering the current Covid-19 situation, coach Darren Lehmann declared that AB and his wife Danielle are expecting their third child.
AB is currently playing for in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore, and so far the team has scored 14 points from seven wins. “Naturally we’re very pleased for them and know that the next few months will be a very special time for all. We’ll stay in contact and see what develops. He has been in excellent touch in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore, so he obviously remains a player we’d like to keep working with when the circumstances allow”, says coach Lehmann according to the reports in ESPNCricinfo.
Brisbane Heat has re-signed Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman after a successful CPL year. “He was outstanding in the Caribbean Premier League recently when he was the second leading wicket-taker in the competition, and he’s shown in the IPL that he can handle the very best. We’re very pleased to have him back with us and with the BBL schedule potentially looking quite different to the usual format, his versatility and ability to create chances in a range of conditions will be very important for us.”
Mujeeb will play third season for the Heat while he is also playing for the Kings XI Punjab in the current IPL 2020. The right-arm off break bowler has a record of picking up 16 wickets with an economy of 5.29. “He’s doing a lot of the little things as well as anyone, and his control and maturity have gone to a new level, I believe. We’re very pleased to have him back with us and with the BBL schedule potentially looking quite different to the usual format, his versatility and ability to create chances in a range of conditions will be very important for us”, Lehmann said.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
Varun Chakravarthy selected for India-Australia tour; says ‘it feels surreal’ | Varun Chakravarthy recaps the journey he has taken to get to this point
Varun Chakravarthy, the Kolkata Knight Riders spinner from Tamil Nadu, has made his way into the Indian squad after giving a power-packed performance in IPL 2020. Varun Chakravarthy, who has played just one First-class match, got to know about the news after the match against Kings XI Punjab on Monday. The selection happened after a series of class performance by the young player.
“I keep using the same word, again and again, it feels surreal,” he told BCCI TV. “My basic goal was to play in the team regularly and perform and contribute to their wins. Hopefully I’ll be able to do the same for India. I am not very active on social media and I have to thank the selectors for keeping the faith in me. I don’t really have words”, he said.
INTERVIEW : Surreal to be picked for Australia T20Is: Varun Chakravarthy
The mystery spinner couldn't contain his excitement after being named in India’s T20I squad for Australia tour.
Chakravarthy was picked by KKR after an intense bidding between Kolkata and Bangalore in the IPL 2020 auction. In a game against Delhi Capitals, he recorded his first five-wicket haul and helped his team win by 59 runs in Abu Dhabi.
In the post-match presentation where he was awarded Man of the Match against DC he said, “I pretty much started my spin bowling in 2018, that’s when I got my breakthrough in TNPL, it’s been high and lows – last year, I didn’t get many chances and I injured myself, I’m grateful for making a comeback this year. I have been working hard, but the motivation and faith has come from a lot of people around me”.
On Monday when BCCI announced their completed schedule for the Australia tour, the mystery spinner found his name in the 16-man squad of the T20I series. Before he began his cricketing career, he was an architect in Tamil Nadu trying to make his living. “Around 2015, when I was not making a lot of money (the switch from being an architect to becoming a cricketer), was freelancing and wasn’t able to meet my needs, I thought I would do something different, that’s when I turned to cricket. I still do it, I like that as well (being an architect). I’ll talk to my parents, my fiance. I’ll just talk to them, share the happiness with them. It is just good news for my family. I’m really short of words right now, India call up is a big thing. I really wasn’t expecting it”, he said.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
IPL 2020 Match 48: MI vs RCB Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MI vs RCB Dream11 Prediction Today | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Key Players | Abu Dhabi Pitch Report
How good is this playoffs race? The winner of this match will have one foot in the playoffs, while the loser will join a tussle between five other teams for a spot in the final four.
Mumbai Indians, thanks to their superb net run rate, will likely make the playoffs with one win out of their remaining three matches. However, in a league where any team can beat the other, a top two finish could prove crucial. So, can MI bounce back from defeat at the hands of Ben Stokes last time out to take a giant step towards the playoffs?
Their opponents, Royal Challengers Bangalore, have improved significantly in 2020. In fact, there have been key reasons to their superior performances this time around compared to previous seasons. However, RCB’s nerves will now be tested in a tight playoffs race, after a poor performance to bottom-placed CSK over the weekend. So, the question for RCB is: can they overcome the mental hurdles of the past few years and put in strong performances to seal a playoffs spot?
With both teams still to face the Delhi Capitals, this match is vital.
IPL 2020 Match 48: MI vs RCB Preview Dream11: Things are getting close.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
AB de Villiers has a crucial role to play. He has the potential to decide this match. The South African superstar loves playing MI (619 runs, avg. 56.27, SR 152.46), and scored 55* (24) against them earlier in IPL 2020.
His partner in crime, Virat Kohli, has been in excellent touch in recent games. Since scoring 14 runs in his first three matches in IPL 2020, Kohli has struck 397 runs in the next eight matches at an average of 99.25.
Also, Kohli has the most runs of any player in MI-RCB matches (686, avg. 28.58, SR 128.46). Can he build on this?
It was a rare failure for Quinton de Kock last time out against RR. Before the last match, de Kock had hit scores of 67, 23, 53, 78*, 53 and 46* in his previous six outings. Can he quickly regain that kind of form here?
Rohit Sharma (478 runs vs RCB, avg. 29.88, SR 143.98) has been batting at training, but could yet sit out this match due to a hamstring strain. His replacement at the top, Ishan Kishan, has been strong in his last two games: 68* (37) and 37 (36).
Of course, who could forget Kishan’s incredible 99 off 58 balls against RCB earlier this season? Kishan and Kieron Pollard (60* off 24 balls) took MI to the brink of victory when they needed 90 off the final five overs.
Last game, Pollard was dismissed for the first time since the first game against CSK. The stand-in Mumbai captain is striking at 198.14 in IPL 2020, and has the most runs for any MI player against RCB (535, avg. 35.67, SR 163.11).
Suryakumar Yadav has a poor record for MI vs RCB (6 inns, 100 runs, avg. 16.67). However, Suryakumar has enjoyed batting at Abu Dhabi in IPL 2020; his last four scores on this ground: 79*, 53, 10 and 40.
So, RCB need to be wary of MI’s middle order, which also contains the dangerous Hardik Pandya. Hardik smashed an incredible 52 runs off his last 12 balls last game vs RR, and has had success vs RCB in the past (10 inns, 200 runs, avg. 66.67, SR 172.41).
Can the RCB opening combination of Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal overcome MI’s excellent new ball bowling? Finch has been under-par in IPL 2020, but scored a half-century vs MI earlier this season and has been threatening to make a significant score (47, 20, 14, 16 and 15 in his last five knocks). Padikkal also scored a half-century vs MI this season (54 off 40 balls).
Chris Morris had his most expensive outing in IPL 2020 last game vs CSK (1/36). So, the motivation will be there to bounce back with a strong performance here. Morris has helped transform RCB’s bowling in IPL 2020, with 10 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 5.74.
Yuzvendra Chahal has taken 17 wickets in 12 games vs MI, and has 16 wickets in 11 games in IPL 2020 (only Rashid Khan has more among spinners with 17).
Jasprit Bumrah (17) and Trent Boult (16) both sit in the top 10 wicket-takers in IPL 2020. Bumrah has 16 wickets in 14 games vs RCB (avg. 26.50, econ. 7.85), and will be looking for a better outing against them than what he had earlier this season (0/42). Boult enjoys playing RCB, with eight wickets in four games against them, including 2/31 earlier this season.
Rahul Chahar has enjoyed bowling at Abu Dhabi this season, despite going for 36 in three wicketless overs last game vs RR. Chahar’s figures in IPL 2020: 1/36, 2/26, 2/26, 1/24, 0/27, 2/18 and 0/36.
IPL 2020 Match 48: MI vs RCB Preview Dream11: QdK and Bumrah – key for MI.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 28, MI 18, RCB 10.
RCB beat MI in a Super Over in what was arguably the game of IPL 2020 so far. RCB amassed 201/3, before MI tied the scores on the final ball courtesy of a Kieron Pollard four.
In RCB wins in 2020, AB de Villiers has scored 246 runs at an average of 123 and SR of 203.31. In RCB losses, this comes down to 78 runs at an average of 19.50 and SR of 120.00. So, if MI dismiss de Villiers early, it can go a long way to victory.
RCB’s middle-overs run-rate is 6.80, which is the worst in the league. ABD’s death-overs heroics have been key for RCB.
De Kock (114.88), Kishan (100.99) and Krunal (79.41) all strike slowly against off-spinners in IPL since 2018. RCB have two such bowlers: Moeen Ali and Washington Sundar.
Chahal to bowl in the powerplay? The classy legspinner has a good record vs de Kock (12 balls, 11 runs, two wickets). He also has a good record vs S Yadav (14 balls, 14 runs, two wickets).
MI (12.70) and RCB (11.47) have been the best scoring teams in the death overs in IPL 2020.
Neither RCB or MI have lost consecutive matches in IPL 2020. Both are coming off defeats.
Possible Playing 11
Rohit Sharma (hamstring) and Navdeep Saini (split webbing in his hand) are both reportedly unlikely to play.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1. Devdutt Padikkal, 2. Aaron Finch, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. AB de Villiers (wk), 5. Moeen Ali, 6. Gurkeerat Singh, 7. Chris Morris, 8. Washington Sundar, 9. Navdeep Saini/Umesh Yadav, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Mohammed Siraj
Abu Dhabi Pitch and Weather Report
Abu Dhabi has been batting-friendly in recent games, with three scores of 190+ in the past two games. In fact, 195 wasn’t enough for MI two nights ago against RR, as RR chased the target with a significant 10 balls to spare. Also, the chasing team has won five of the past seven matches on this ground, so the captain who wins the toss could look to field.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
IPL 2020 Match 48: MI vs RCB Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
IPL 2020 Match 48: MI vs RCB Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
What a match we have in store today. This could very well be similar to the last clash between the two sides, where it went to a Super Over. MI’s greater depth, particularly in the middle order, could prove key. But, if AB de Villiers fires, RCB are right in with a chance of winning.
Reactions to Marlon Samuels’ awful sledge at Ben Stokes | Marlon Samuels responds to Ben Stokes in terrible fashion: the reactions
It is incredible how a light-hearted joke about the challenges of hotel quarantine can lead to a racially-motivated and family-targeted response. Marlon Samuels, the much-maligned and controversial former West Indian cricketer, showed exactly why he has had problems with countless cricketers over the years.
Ben Stokes, the world’s premier all-rounder, who is currently plying his trade in IPL 2020, has been going through a challenging time. His father is battling cancer in New Zealand, and Stokes had to endure 14-day quarantine before he could see him after arriving from England during his team’s Test series against Pakistan.
Speaking about 14-day quarantine on BBC Sport, Stokes said, “I was saying it wasn’t the most enjoyable thing you ever have to do, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I text my brother saying the same thing, and my brother asked: ‘You wouldn’t even do that to Marlon Samuels?’ I said ‘no, it’s that bad’ – that’s how bad it was.”
To paint a picture, Stokes and Samuels had run-ins on the cricket field. But, Samuel’s response was as disgusting as it was unneccesary, especially given the focus on racism in modern times. Plus, the shot at his family (Stokes’ wife) was equally disgraceful.
Here is Marlon’s response, via his official Instagram: “No white boy could diss me in the sports and no get back diss look at this b**** still thinking about me 14 days with your wife turn har into Jamaican in 14 seconds mate none of yall knows me that simple means it’s my f***ing superior skin tone yall hate f*** you.”
It is time high-profile cricket personalities come out and condemn Marlon Samuels’ racially-motivated and family-targeted response. What’s the wait?
And fans rightly united to express their anger at Marlon Samuels’ terrible response.
Terrible from Marlon Samuels.
good grief, ben stokes' fairly innocuous joke has absolutely rattled marlon samuels pic.twitter.com/y1ISNrA7W5
Msd is one of the gentleman's of the cricket game, never made any unnecessary fights on the field, but this guy ( samuels) made him angry, he pushed murali vijay from the non strikers end who was trying to run. Worst player ever pic.twitter.com/Km34OJk5Rw
It is time for the ICC and West Indies Cricket to act. There is no place for racism in society, nor is there a place for personal shots a another’s family.
Judging by Marlon Samuels’ follow-up Instagram stories, there is no intention to apologise. Weak.
IPL 2020 Match 47: SRH vs DC Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SRH vs DC Dream11 Prediction Today | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
Sunrisers Hyderabad, listed as second favourites for the IPL 2020 Title before the tournament began, are in desperation mode. Every match is a final from here on in, as they look to make a run towards the playoffs.
Kings XI Punjab’s win over the Knight Riders yesterday boosts SRH’s chances, as they remain the four points outside the playoff positions. However, they have very little room for error, as they will likely need to win all their remaining games, which are all against the top three teams in IPL 2020. So, to win those matches, SRH will have to show much better composure at the backend of games, as they have thrown away near-certain victories in recent weeks.
The first of their three games is against Delhi Capitals. However, although DC sit in the top three, their form has wavered a little of late, with only Shikhar Dhawan stepping up from a batting perspective in recent matches. Shreyas Iyer’s men may already have one foot in the playoffs, but two teams behind them on 12 points means that they will need to be wary. A defeat here means they will be two points ahead of fifth-placed KKR with two games remaining. A win here will seal their top four spot, thanks to their much superior NRR over fifth-placed KKR.
So, can DC keep their cool and continue their push towards a top-two finish?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Jonny Bairstow has struck 48 (28), 41 (31) and 53 (48) in his three career games against the Capitals. SRH’s brittle middle order means that a lot rests on Bairstow, who has made five double-figure scores in a row, without reaching 50 (16, 23, 36, 10, 19). Will today be his day?
Plenty rests on David Warner, too. The SRH skipper hasn’t had quite the prolific campaign as he has in the past (370 runs 11 inns in IPL 2020, two fifties, avg. 37.00, SR 127.80), but has a strong record for SRH vs DC: 11 inns, 374 runs, avg. 41.56.
Shikhar Dhawan has been far-and-away Delhi’s best batsman in recent matches. The left-hander made four 50+ scores in a row, including two hundreds (69*, 57, 101*, 106*) before being dismissed for 6 against KKR. His dismissal vs KKR almost signalled the end for DC in a big chase. So, Dhawan is key.
Shreyas Iyer is the sixth-highest run-scorer in IPL 2020 (382 runs, avg. 38.20). However, one believes the DC skipper can still go to another level, given his overall IPL 2020 strike rate of 130.37 includes a 38-ball 88. Iyer has a solid record in his career vs SRH, with 303 runs in 10 knocks at an average of 33.67. Can he build on this today?
How will Rishabh Pant respond to being left out of India’s T20I squad? He could fire today, as he is playing a team he has a good record against: 10 inns, 356 runs, avg. 44.50, SR 155.46, one century (HS 128).
Important game for Manish Pandey. Two games ago, he struck a superb 89* (44) vs RR, and has a good overall record vs DC: 14 inns, 375 runs, avg. 37.50.
The form of Marcus Stoinis has fallen away a little after a golden start to IPL 2020. DC’s finisher has crossed 20 just once in his past five innings. Can he deliver today if called upon?
Every time the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Jofra Archer and Mohammed Shami get closer to Kagiso Rabada in the Purple Cap race, the brilliant South African seamer pulls away. Shami is approaching him again (three wickets behind), but Rabada has taken at least one wicket in each of his last 25 IPL matches. He will be key again.
Rashid Khan took 3/14 against DC earlier this season, and was man of the match. The star legspinner has taken 14 wickets in 11 games in IPL 2020 (only Chahal has more among spinners), at a superb economy rate of 5.29. Can he put Delhi in a spin today?
Jason Holder has made an excellent start to his IPL 2020 campaign (3/33 and 2/27).
Anrich Nortje didn’t have the best of nights against SRH earlier this season (0/40), but one cannot question the impact he has had in IPL 2020. His 14 wickets in 10 games have played a crucial role in getting DC to this position, and he will be key today.
SRH’s yorker specialist T Natarajan is wicketless in his past two games. He bowled well vs DC earlier this season (1/25 off four overs), so can he get back in the wickets today?
Sandeep Sharma is coming off two wickets vs KXIP, and has dismissed DC skipper Shreyas Iyer three times in eight innings. In fact, Iyer’s strike rate is just 72 against him.
IPL 2020 Match 47: SRH vs DC Preview Dream11: Shikhar Dhawan is key to DC’s chances.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 16, SRH 10, DC 6.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (162/4) beat Delhi Capitals (147/7) by 15 runs earlier in IPL 2020.
Since IPL 2019, Shreyas Iyer has been dismissed nine teams by legspinners. In fact, he averages just nine (SR 89) against quicker legspinners. So, his battle with Rashid Khan will be key.
Can Kagiso Rabada get the better of David Warner? Rabada has dismissed Warner three times in nine T20s (47 balls, 53 runs, avg. 17.7, SR 112.8).
Rishabh Pant has a strike rate of only 117 so far in IPL 2020.
Possible Playing 11
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. David Warner (c), 2. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3. Manish Pandey, 4. Vijay Shankar, 5. Priyam Garg, 6. Abhishek Sharma, 7. Jason Holder, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Sandeep Sharma, 10. Khaleel Ahmed, 11. T Natarajan
Dubai has had a string of lower scores in recent games – most notably SRH failing to chase 127 against KXIP a few days ago. The chasing team has won six from the last seven games at Dubai, so the captain who wins the toss could look to chase, even though both teams have had their chasing difficulties in 2020.
DC have certainly had the better season, but that doesn’t mean that this result is set in stone. Ultimately, the result could depend on the impact Kagiso Rabada has on the SRH top order, as well as when he comes back later in the innings. Also, if Shikhar Dhawan can continue his great form and enable others to perform, DC look good for a win. However, this could be tight.
IPL 2020 Match 46: KKR vs KXIP Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | KKR vs KXIP Dream11 Prediction Today | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report
A playoff before the playoffs. A match that has the potential to entertain and enthrall in equal measure. Battles within the battle with the stakes so high.
These factors (and more) makes the 46th match of IPL 2020 one of the most important to date. Indeed, this clash is a crucial one in the playoff race, with both teams after a win here to significantly boost their chances of qualifying.
Should Kolkata Knight Riders win, they will move four points clear of fifth place with two games remaining. Up until the halfway mark of their batting innings against Delhi Capitals, it was fair to say that KKR had underperformed in IPL 2020, in spite of sitting in the top four. However, what happened afterwards was KKR at their very best, with Nitish Rana and Sunil Narine orchestrating a superb counterattack, which was then followed up by Pat Cummins and man-of-the-match Varun Chakravarthy. Can they repeat that kind of performance to not only lock in a top four spot, but even look at a possible top two finish?
That Kings XI Punjab are in this position is remarkable. Firstly, they sat bottom two weeks ago, with just one win out of their first seven matches. Secondly, their miracle win over Sunrisers Hyderabad helped them keep in touch with the top four thanks to four straight wins – a welcome change from clutching defeat from the jaws of victory from the first half of the season (including this vs KKR). Now, KXIP, a side that has qualified just twice in 12 years, will have to hold their nerve again as the pressure increases. Can they do it?
IPL 2020 Match 46: KKR vs KXIP Preview Dream11: The stakes are high.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
The addition of Chris Gayle has certainly helped KXIP, but KL Rahul remains a key player. The 2020 Orange Cap holder (567 runs, avg. 63.00) scored 74 (59) vs KKR earlier this season, but came in for criticism due to his strike rate. Can he play a match-changing innings this time?
Overall, Rahul enjoys playing KKR, with 269 runs in eight innings at an average of 38.42 and SR 152.84.
Chris Gayle’s record vs KKR is even better. The “Universe Boss”, who has contributed well in IPL 2020 so far, has scored 649 runs in 17 innings at an average of 46.36 (SR 150.58).
Dinesh Karthik has struggled for form in IPL 2020, and this game is a worry for him given that KXIP possess two capable legspinners. However, he won player of the match against KXIP earlier this season with 58 (29).
The brilliance of Sunil Narine took KKR to another level last game vs DC. His 64 (32) turned the game. Also, Narine has the most wickets in KKR-KXIP matches, with an excellent 28 in 18 games. In fact, his 2/28 at the death vs KXIP earlier this season helped KKR get over the line in a heist.
Can Nitish Rana build on his 81 (53) vs DC? Remarkably, Rana’s two best scores in IPL 2020 have come against DC (58 and 81). Against everyone else, he has scored 24, 26, 22, 9, 2, 9, 5, 29 and 0.
So, can the likes of Mohammed Shami test Rana’s insecurities against the short ball? Shami is having a brilliant tournament, with the equal second-most wickets (17 in 11 matches).
Mayank Agarwal missed the last game due to bruising. He could be back in this game, and KXIP would welcome him with open arms (10 inns in IPL 2020, 398 runs, avg. 39.80, SR 155.46).
Can his opposite number, Shubman Gill, build on his starts? Gill has made nine double-figure scores in IPL 2020, with just the two fifties so far. One of them did come against KXIP earlier this season (57 off 47 balls).
Nicholas Pooran has hit the most sixes in IPL 2020 (22). His 327 runs have come at an excellent average of 40.87 and SR of 173.01.
It was a welcome return to form for Chris Jordan last time out against SRH. He took 3/17 and crucial catches in the field. Arshdeep Singh was also excellent at the death with 3/23. Can they produce the goods again today?
The same applies to Pat Cummins. He was superb against Delhi Capitals, taking the same figures as Jordan (3/17), dismantling the DC top order. Can he and Lockie Ferguson (five wickets in three games) deliver today?
But, the star man was Varun Chakravarthy (5/20). His ability to turn the ball both ways was too much for DC, and he has the potential to take more wickets on a slowish Sharjah pitch.
IPL 2020 Match 46: KKR vs KXIP Preview Dream11: Sunil Narine will be crucial.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 26, KKR 18, KXIP 8.
KKR pulled off a stunning heist vs KXIP earlier this season, with Prasidh Krishna (3/29) and Sunil Narine (2/28) starring at the death.
Narine has a superb record against Chris Gayle. He has bowled 177 balls to him in T20s for a total of 153 runs and five dismissals.
KXIP have transformed their death bowling in the second-half of IPL 2020, going at just 8.8 runs per over at this stage. In fact, this is the best among all teams during this period.
KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal have hit 623 runs in 10 innings together in IPL 2020, which is the most of any opening partnership this season.
Murugan Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi have taken a combined 19 wickets in IPL 2020. They will be key today.
Possible Playing 11
If Andre Russell is fit enough to play, where do KKR fit him in?
Mayank Agarwal is reportedly a good chance of returning in this game. If he does, he will replace one of Deepak Hooda or Mandeep Singh. Also, will KXIP persist with the out-of-touch Glenn Maxwell, or do they believe this is the game where he will fire?
Kings XI Punjab: 1. KL Rahul (c & wk), 2. Mayank Agarwal, 3. Chris Gayle, 4. Nicholas Pooran, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Mandeep Singh, 7. Chris Jordan, 8. M Ashwin, 9. Ravi Bishnoi, 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Mohammed Shami
Sharjah Pitch and Weather Report
After all the 200+ scores at Sharjah earlier this season, we have seen no 200+ scores in the past five games at the venue. The surface has slowed down as the tournament has progressed, which makes placement all the more important for the batters.
The chasing team has won the past three matches on this ground, which might prompt the captain who wins the toss to bat second, especially given that dew is likely.
What a tough match to predict. Both sides are very capable of producing good cricket on their day, which makes this a very highly-anticipated match. However, if KKR produce the kind of cricket they did against DC, they will be mighty hard to beat. Interesting game awaits.
WBBL 06 Match 7: SS-W vs AS-W Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SS-W vs AS-W Dream11 Prediction Today | Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers Key Players | North Sydney Oval Pitch Report
The much awaited Women’s Big Bash League finally started on Sunday with 4 matches on the opening day, although two of them got washed out resulting in shared points between the two teams.
On Monday, the 8 teams will take the field again and the Adelaide Strikers will take on the Sydney Sixers in one of the matches. The Strikers got off to a convincing start with an 8-wicket win over the Hobart Hurricanes. While the Sixers, couldn’t take the field due to rains and shared the points with their city counterparts, Sydney Thunder.
Darice Brown and Amanda Wellington picked 3 wickets each, while Megan Schutt picked a couple of them as the Strikers bundled out the Hurricanes for a paltry total of 84. They chased it with ease with 6 overs to spare on the back of Laura Wolvaardt fifty.
On the other hand, the Ellyse Perry-led side will be eager to step out on the field and finally be a part of some action.
The Sixers have a lopsided record against the Strikers with 10 wins in 11 encounters.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Sydney Sixers:
Sarah Aley has taken the 2nd most number of wickets in WBBL history with 83 scalps to her name. Also, Aley has been the leading wicket taker in the matches between the two sides with 16 wickets.
Keeper-batter Alyssa Healy was in red hot form in the ICC WWT20 earlier this year, and was one of the prime reasons why Australia won the tournament. She scored 134 runs in 3 T20s for Australia in the recently concluded T20I series vs NZ. Healy-Perry combination will be one of the highlights of the upcoming edition of the WBBL.
Ellyse Perry: It will be interesting to see how Perry bounces back from injury for her side. She was sidelined due to the hamstring injury during Australia’s campaign at the ICC WWT20 earlier this year. After the lockdown, she again suffered the same injury and missed the series against New Zealand. Perry had the 2nd best economy rate of 5.8 last season, followed closely by Thunder’s bowler Ismail in the 3rd spot who bowled at 5.88 runs per over.
Also, Perry scored 469 runs at an average of 93.80 and was the leading run getter of the Sixers last season.
Adelaide Strikers:
Laura Wolvaraadt: The Protea was in red-hot form in the ICC WWT20 and was named in the team of the tournament. She scored a fifty against the Hurricanes in the first match and will be a player to watch out for.
Amanda Wellington: Wellington picked 3 wickets for the Strikers in the first game and will be crucial in the middle overs against the Sixers
Megan Schutt: Megan Schutt derailed the Hurricanes with her double strike at the start of the innings on Sunday, and is the all-time leading wicket taker of the 2019 runners-up.
WBBL 06 Match 7: SS-W vs AS-W Preview Dream11: Alyssa Healy will be key.
Stats and Facts
Sydney Sixers have won 10 of 11 matches against Adelaide Strikers.
Adelaide’s win vs Sixers came last season after they restricted them to 92/9.
Adelaide Strikers bowled Hobart Hurricanes for 84 yesterday. Darcie Brown (3/13), Amanda-Jade Wellington (3/19) and Megan Schutt (2/14) were in the wickets.
Sydney Sixers: 1. Alyssa Healy (wk), 2. Erin Burns, 3. Ashleigh Gardener, 4. Ellyse Perry (c), 5. Dane van Niekerk, 6. Marizanne Kapp, 7. Lisa Griffith, 8. Lauren Cheatle, 9. Jodie Hicks, 10. Stella Campbell, 11. Sarah Aley
North Sydney Oval Pitch and Weather report
The average first innings score at this ground in WBBL 2019 was 143, with the chasing team winning three out of four times. Following the tournament, Australia played Sri Lanka in T20Is on this ground, with some high scores made (217 and 226 by Australia).
The weather forecast, however, looks a little iffy with rain around.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
WBBL 06 Match 7: SS-W vs AS-W Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
WBBL 06 Match 7: SS-W vs AS-W Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
The Adelaide Strikers were clinical in their opening game and they will hope to carry on this form. Sydney Sixers is one of the strongest sides in this edition of the WBBL. Considering the performance in the inaugural match, Strikers have a great chance, but the Sixers’ great record against them could count for plenty.
