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IPL 2019: KXIP vs RR Preview Dream11 Prediction

Charbel Coorey

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April 16, 2019 at 8:24 am

IPL 2019: KXIP vs RR Preview Dream11 Prediction

KXIP vs RR Preview Dream11. Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals Preview Dream11 Prediction

Ring the bell! It’s time for round two KXIP and RR go head-to-head in one of the unlikelier grudge matches in IPL 2019.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s infamous mankad to dismiss Jos Buttler caused plenty of reaction. It helped Kings XI Punjab initiate a collapse that allowed them to kick off their season with a win. Since then, they have been relatively steady, putting themselves right in with a chance of a playoffs appearance. However, the second half of the season is where they collapsed badly in IPL 2018, and they are now coming off two straight losses. Can they get back on track?

Rajasthan Royals, particularly Jos Buttler, will be looking forward to this one. There is the small matter of the mankad episode, but RR are coming off a big effort at the Wankhede, where they played with plenty of effort and energy to keep their playoffs hopes alive. However, their middle order is still cause for concern, nearly blowing what looked a certain victory vs MI. More changes imminent?

Key to a KXIP win

RR have some middle order issues, and the same can be said of KXIP. After Chris Gayle’s outstanding onslaught, the middle then struggled for any impetus against an RCB side that has historically struggled at the death. KXIP were on track for 200 at home, but then stuttered, which is something they must avoid against an RR side that held its own in the middle overs in Mumbai. Can KL Rahul get back in the big runs after what seemed a rare failure? Will Gayle go big again? But, how well will the middle order fare?

Also, KXIP’s seamers were well off the pace vs RCB. With Jos Buttler striking at over 170 vs pace in IPL 2019, the onus is on KXIP’s seamers to display the level of control and precision required to dislodge RR’s opening pair, who complemented each other very well vs MI. Can KXIP make inroads early, paving the way for the spinners to target an up-and-down middle order?

KXIP vs RR Preview Dream11. Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals Preview Dream11 Prediction Cricket Blog CricBlog — Image credit: Deepak Malik/Sportzpics. KXIP vs RR Preview Dream11 – Jos Buttler and R Ashwin meet again.

Key to a RR win

RR’s bowlers held their own after an early MI onslaught on Saturday. However, they can’t afford to be poor against the in-form KL Rahul and Chris Gayle, who can take the game away in quick time. Jofra Archer has led the attack well in IPL 2019, and he will be key in making inroads. As mentioned, the KXIP middle order isn’t without its own issues, so RR will be keen to get the likes of Shreyas Gopal leading the way in the middle overs against an KXIP side working hard to build momentum. Can they get the better of the KXIP openers early, and then build on it?

Also, there was rightly plenty of talk about Jos Buttler’s brilliance in Mumbai. However, the performance of Ajinkya Rahane was crucial, as it allowed Jos Buttler to settle into his innings. The no-fear approach from Rahane is something he must repeat in Mohali, which then gives Buttler the freedom to play his way. However, who else will step up? Sanju Samson has it in him to deliver big, but questions remain about the middle order. If Steve Smith gets another chance, can he play with a little more fluency? What about Liam Livingstone if he gets another chance?

Possible Playing 11

Hardus Viljoen was out of the last game with illness. His replacement, AJ Tye, went for 40 in his four overs. If Viljoen is fit, he could come back in.

KXIP: 1. KL Rahul, 2. Chris Gayle, 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Sarfaraz Khan, 5. Mandeep Singh, 6. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 7. Sam Curran, 8. Ravichandran Ashwin (c), 9. Hardus Viljoen, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Murugan Ashwin

For RR, Ben Stokes missed the last game with injury. If fit, he could come back in for Liam Livingstone. Also, Ashton Turner could be given an opportunity ahead of Steve Smith. Despite this, I believe Australia were still right to pick Steve Smith in their World Cup squad.

RR: 1. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 2. Jos Buttler, 3. Sanju Samson (wk), 4. Steve Smith/Ashton Turner, 5. Liam Livingstone/Ben Stokes, 6. Rahul Tripathi, 7. Shreyas Gopal, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. K Gowtham, 10. Dhawal Kulkarni, 11. Jaydev Unadkat

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

Head-to-head: Matches 18, KXIP 8, RR 10.
In Mohali, it is locked at 3-3.
Jos Buttler has four half-centuries in a row vs KXIP.
KL Rahul needs six runs to reach 1,000 for KXIP. He has 994 runs in just 22 innings to date.

Match Prediction

A really interesting match in prospect.

Plenty depends on the top order of both these sides. Today, I just have the nagging feeling that RR will continue to build the momentum. We’ll see!

Thanks for reading!

Discussing Cricket Australia’s World Cup Squad

Charbel Coorey

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April 15, 2019 at 6:01 pm

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Cricket Australia’s World Cup 2019 Squad. Discussing Australia’s World Cup Squad.

April 15 2019 was a much-awaited date for Australian cricket fans. Australia’s excellent 2019 in ODIs has created optimism and excitement from all corners, with the team now on a run of eight straight victories, and having us believing they can go very far in the upcoming World Cup.

What this caused, though, was headaches. Shaun Marsh was Australia’s premier ODI batsman in a tough 2018 for the team. Peter Handscomb shifted from red-ball struggles to white-ball success. Usman Khawaja came out of nowhere and was unbelievable in India and the UAE. Aaron Finch found some form. This was all as Steve Smith and David Warner were about to come back into contention.

So, amid all the excitement, there was always a debate about what Australia’s first World Cup XI should look like. Below is the squad of 15 Australia has picked to try defend its World Cup crown:

AUS World Cup squad announced:

Finch (c), Behrendorff, Carey (wk), Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Khawaja, Lyon, Marsh, Maxwell, Richardson, Smith, Starc, Stoinis, Warner, Zampa.

I'd say Handscomb (so unlucky) could have been in there in place of one pace bowler.#CWC19
— CricBlog (@cric_blog) April 15, 2019

Discussing Cricket Australia’s World Cup Squad

There are key points to take out of this squad selection, and below is my take on the selectors’ work. Changes can be made up until May 23, and it will be interesting to see if that proves to be the case.

Also read: Why I believed 2018 was a blessing for Australia.

There is always room for Steve Smith

I’ll get this one out of the way first.

Sure, the former captain has struggled for fluency at times in the ongoing IPL 2019. He has scored his 186 runs this season at a strike rate of just 107.51. Coming back from an elbow injury, it is taking some time for Smith to click into full gear for Rajasthan Royals.

The opposite applies to David Warner. Warner has made an excellent return to the IPL, sitting top of the run scoring charts, and looking as though he hasn’t missed a beat.

However, Smith remains one of the world’s premier batsmen. Even with time out of the game, leaving Smith out would have been such a huge call by the selectors, given the value his ability and experience would provide in a World Cup. Sure, his numbers leading up to his ban weren’t great, but his ODI career before a bit of a lean period shows he has plenty to offer. His ability to keep the strike moving will be important in England, giving greater freedom to the likes of Aaron Finch, David Warner, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.

Discussing Cricket Australia's World Cup Squad. Steve Smith David Warner Peter Handscomb Josh Hazlewood Cricket Blog CricBlog — Image credit: Getty Images. Discussing Cricket Australia’s World Cup Squad – Steve Smith should be in the squad.

Peter Handscomb is mighty unlucky

One decision I don’t agree with is the non-selection of Peter Handscomb.

Crucial to Australia’s incredible series win in India, Handscomb has had a superb 2019. In 14 matches, he has scored 479 runs at 43.54. Even more significant has been his strike rate of 98.15, which has allowed Australia to not lose momentum in the middle overs. Further, he is a back up wicket keeper to Alex Carey, who has certainly impressed less than Peter Handscomb has so far in 2019. Carey was tried as opener, then as a finisher, and it’s safe to say that most of us are still questioning his batting role in the team. I went as far to say Handscomb should have been given the gloves in the Pakistan series, with a view to have him as the keeper in the World Cup.

So, with Handscomb not in the original squad, Australia have picked seven specialist batsmen (excluding Carey), which gives the squad an slightly unbalanced feel. To me, Handscomb should be there in place of one pace bowler, where selections have been made with injuries likely front of mind.

Also read: Why I believed 2018 was a blessing for Australia.

What impact will Nathan Lyon have?

There is the argument that Australia have picked an extra seamer as cover for the history of injuries among the current group of fast bowlers.

However, another reason for the plethora of seamers was if Australia choose not to pick Nathan Lyon. Lyon was important in India and UAE, bowling at an economy rate of 4.78. However, conditions will be different in England. Wickets in the middle overs could prove crucial in good batting conditions, and one wonders whether Lyon will possess the threat he does in red-ball cricket. Will opposition teams be worried when Lyon comes on to bowl? Can the selectors be confident of Lyon consistently bowling at under five an over against teams looking to go big on flat tracks?

Josh Hazlewood is also unlucky

Josh Hazlewood might not be in some people’s first XI, but it was a surprise not to see him in the squad.

With the rise of Jhye Richardson, and strong impact of Nathan Coulter-Nile, there was no place for Hazlewood. Selectors must have been thinking that his style would have no place in England conditions, where the ball does little. However, with his excellent ODI record (average of 25 and economy rate of below five), Australia could have found a place for him considering they picked five pace bowlers. He remains a high-quality bowler.

Those questioning Shaun Marsh’s place… don’t

It was an awful 2018 for Australia.

The ball tampering incident derailed their year. But, Australia also had the worst ODI record (win/loss ratio) of any nation in the world. Sure, they played England in two five match series, as well as South Africa, but it is an unacceptable result.

One player who stood out was Shaun Marsh. 2018 saw him score 416 runs at 59.42, with three centuries. He hasn’t fared too badly in 2019 either, scoring 435 runs at 48.33. With a strike rate of over 100 in 2018, and close to mid-80s in 2019, how could Shaun Marsh miss out?

Good call by the selectors to have him in the squad.

Verdict

Overall, it is a strong squad. But, a key change I would make is Peter Handscomb over Jason Behrendhorff. Also, if Nathan Coulter-Nile is unfit, then Josh Hazlewood comes in.

However, with the return of David Warner and Steve Smith, along with the good form of others in the squad, other teams need to beware of Australia. There is little doubt this side is a definite Semi Final contender.

Looking forward to the tournament!

Thanks for reading!

IPL 2019: MI vs RCB Preview Dream11 Prediction

Charbel Coorey

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April 15, 2019 at 8:36 am

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IPL 2019: MI vs RCB Preview Dream11 Prediction

MI vs RCB Preview Dream11. Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview Dream11 Prediction

After a weekend where more of the unexpected occurred, IPL 2019 now approaches its halfway stage. What the last couple of days (and most of the tournament) have told us is that nothing is set in stone, with only CSK producing the goods on a consistent basis.

One of the teams looking for a more consistent performance is Mumbai Indians. You get the feeling they are close to clicking, but key lapses throughout games is hurting them. A strong start vs RR was then greeted by another underwhelming middle overs period. The tournament Buttler then arrived to serve Mumbai, who now need to bounce back against a team that finally got up and running in IPL 2019.

That team is indeed Royal Challengers Bangalore. Their big guns delivered with the team on its knees, bouncing back from a rapid start from KXIP to seal victory in the final over. Yuzvendra Chahal, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers had excellent outings, and RCB can now look at building some momentum with the playoffs door ever-so-slightly open. Can they reverse the earlier result vs MI, where they lost by just five runs?

Key to a MI win

Are MI frustrating you? 200+ looked on the cards vs RR on Saturday, but they again needed a Hardik Pandya special in the final overs to get to a total in the vicinity of 180. Quinton de Kock in the runs is encouraging for MI, who would want Rohit Sharma to push on from his starts. However, the middle overs problem remains for MI, with Kieron Pollard crucially unable to repeat his heroics from the previous two games. Will it be the day where MI achieve that complete batting display?

Also, changes await for MI on the bowling front. Alzarri Joseph has struggled badly since his record-breaking 6/12, and also injured his shoulder. You have to feel for him, but that opens the door for Lasith Malinga, who can provide MI with crucial control in the middle and death overs. Either of Mitchell McGlenaghan or Jason Behrendhorff will be key in the early overs, with Jasprit Bumrah threatening to take more wickets. Can MI get the better of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers?

Cricket Blog: IPL 2019 - MI vs RCB Preview Dream11. Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview Dream11 Prediction Best Dream 11 team for MI vs RCB Match Prediction Playing 11 CricBlog — Image credit: BCCI. MI vs RCB Preview Dream11 – Hardik Pandya continues to contribute to the MI cause.

Key to a RCB win

Yuzvendra Chahal, the only bowler to take two wickets for RCB vs KXIP, was excellent last game out. He helped change the momentum of the game, as 200+ looked a possibility for KXIP. He will be a key bowler once again, but needs support from his fellow bowlers to restrict MI at all stages of the innings. Navdeep Saini continues to show promise and Moeen Ali has been economical in the last two games. So, who else can deliver the goods? Dale Steyn will be available for selection after this game, so it remains to be seen if RCB persist with the expensive Umesh Yadav and Mohamamd Siraj.

Also, there aren’t many better sights than when Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers fire. Two greats of the game, Kohli and de Villiers hold most of RCB’s hopes in the blade of their bats, and can look to follow Jos Buttler’s template from Saturday. They will be crucial again, but need adequate support. Eyes will be on Parthiv Patel, Marcus Stoinis and Moeen Ali to help RCB get the better of an MI attack that is like its batting – good with inconsistent periods of play.

Possible Playing 11

Alzarri Joseph is out with a shoulder injury. He may have been left out regardless, after two tough games in a row. Sanjay Manjrekar will certainly be happy to see Lasith Malinga back. Also, Mitchell McClenaghan, who has a good record vs Virat Kohli in IPL, could replace Jason Behrendhorff.

MI: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Quinton de Kock, 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Kieron Pollard, 5. Ishan Kishan (wk), 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Rahul Chahar, 9. Mitchell McClenaghan/Jason Behrendhorff, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Lasith Malinga

RCB need changes to the bowling attack. Spinners found more joy at the Wankhede than seamers at times on Saturday, so will Washington Sundar finally get a game?

RCB: 1. Parthiv Patel (wk), 2. Virat Kohli (c), 3. AB de Villiers, 4. Marcus Stoinis, 5. Moeen Ali, 6. Akshdeep Nath, 7. Pawan Negi, 8. Umesh Yadav, 9. Mohammed Siraj/Washington Sundar, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Navdeep Saini

Dream11 Prediction

Also read: What are your thoughts on Dream11 changing their deadline time?

Looking for a different opinion on the team to pick? Subscribe to Deekays Prediction YouTube channel.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Looking for a different opinion on the team to pick? Subscribe to Deekays Prediction YouTube channel.

Stats and Facts

Head-to-head: Matches 24, MI 15, RCB 9.
These two sides have played six games at the Wankhede since 2013, with MI winning five.
Pacers have taken 39 of 48 wickets at the Wankhede this season. However, spinners played an important role on Saturday in the MI vs RR game.
Rohit Sharma needs 40 runs to complete 8,000 in T20s.
Virat Kohli at the Wankhede in IPL: Eight innings, 359 runs, avg. 89.75.

Match Prediction

RCB have finally arrived. Can they make it two straight wins to breathe more life into their IPL 2019 campaign?

They are capable. However, I will go with MI given their strong record at home vs RCB over the last couple of seasons. Here’s to a good game!

Thanks for reading!

MI vs RCB Preview Dream11. Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview Dream11 Prediction

Zimbabwe vs UAE 3rd ODI Preview Dream11

Charbel Coorey

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April 14, 2019 at 10:22 am

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Zimbabwe vs UAE 3rd ODI Preview Dream11. ZIM vs UAE 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Rain helped cause heartbreak for Zimbabwe last year. This time, it was heartbreak for UAE, who came close to pulling off an upset to level the series.

Instead, Zimbabwe now have the chance to make it 3-0 and win the series. It was a much tougher outing for them in the second game, even after making another great start with the ball. They will want to improve their middle overs bowling, as well as the batting side of things as they slipped throughout their innings. Will they put on an improved showing to take the series?

For UAE, it was a bad start to their first ever bilateral ODI series vs a Full Member. However, the way they bounced back is cause for optimism, competing very well after it seemed they would crumble again. Their premier batsman Shaiman Anwar was superb, along with Ghulam Shabber in getting UAE into a position where they could aim for 250. Rain ruined the momentum, and so did bad light as they were right in with a chance at the end to get a win. Can UAE use the second ODI as a source of confidence?

Key to a Zimbabwe win

Kyle Jarvis was absolutely outstanding, with only the excellent Peter Moor pipping him to the man of the match award. With UAE’s top order shaky, he and Tendai Chatara will be crucial to giving Zimbabwe a good start. However, given they restricted UAE to 12/3, Zimbabwe would want a little more from the change bowlers, especially the spinners, given as Sikandar Raza and Brandon Mavuta were expensive. Indeed, the wickets of Roshan Mustafa, Ghulam Shabber and Shaiman Anwar will be crucial to the result.

Also, can Solomon Mire fire? His form since his excellent T20I Tri-Series vs Pakistan and Australia year still disappoints, which then has to ensure the likes of Regis Chakabva and Craig Ervine must step up. Chakabva was able to, but Zimbabwe were then under a heap of pressure in the middle overs in which Peter Moor was able to rescue them from. Can Zimbabwe put together a more cohesive batting performance this time?

Image credit: Zimbabwe Cricket. Zimbabwe vs UAE 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 – Kyle Jarvis was superb in the second ODI.

Key to a UAE win

It was ‘what could have been’ for UAE last game, but the performance was mighty encouraging. After being shot out for 110, and then sitting at 12/3, Ghulam Shabber and Shaiman Anwar put together a stand that surpassed their entire first game total (131). It is this sort of impact their experienced players can make, which makes these two crucial again, along with Roshan Mustafa, who hasn’t fired yet. In setting or chasing a score, UAE needs it top order to hold its own, as being reduced to three for not many will often mean low totals.

Also, can UAE get more from Mohammad Naveed and Qadeer Ahmed? They went for more than a run-a-ball combined, with neither taking a wicket. With Zahoor Khan, Rohan Mustafa and Imran Haider in the wickets, UAE need wickets up top to put the squeeze on a Zimbabwe middle order that showed some signs of cracking last game. Can UAE keep their hopes alive of leveling the series?

Possible Playing 11

Zimbabwe: 1. Solomon Mire/Brian Chari, 2. Regis Chakabva (wk), 3. Craig Ervine, 4. Timycen Maruma, 5. Sean Williams, 6. Sikandar Raza, 7. Peter Moor (c), 8. Donald Tiripano, 9. Brandon Mavuta, 10. Kyle Jarvis, 11. Tendai Chatara

UAE: 1. Ashfaq Ahmed, 2. Rohan Mustafa, 3. Ghulam Shabber (wk), 4. Muhammad Usman, 5. Shaiman Anwar, 6. Chirag Suri, 7. CP Rizwan, 8. Mohammad Naveed (c), 9. Zahoor Khan, 10. Imran Haider, 11. Qadeer Ahmed

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

UAE proved to be more competitive last time out.

I think they will be competitive again, but Zimbabwe will have a little bit more to get the win.

Thanks for reading!

IPL 2019: KXIP vs RCB Preview Dream11 Prediction

Charbel Coorey

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April 13, 2019 at 6:23 pm

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IPL 2019: KXIP vs RCB Preview Dream11 Prediction

KXIP vs RCB Preview Dream11. Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview Dream11 Prediction

Before the start of IPL 2019, both these sides had aspirations of a top four finish. After all, both missed the playoffs in IPL 2018, courtesy of inconsistency and underwhelming finishes to the season. However, both teams have gone in the opposite direction, with those aspirations looking realistic only for today’s home team.

Kings XI Punjab are undefeated at home in IPL 2019, and play a side who haven’t won a match. Ravi Ashwin’s team have impressed so far this season, and their predicament could have been even better had it not been for Kieron Pollard’s incredible innings in Mumbai. However, they found themselves in a similar position last season, only to fall away in the second half of the season. Can KXIP keep their momentum going as the halfway point of IPL 2019 approaches?

Well, what can we say of Royal Challengers Bangalore? The last six days have been their best in the tournament, and that’s only because they haven’t played a game. With pre-tournament hopes that this could be their year, they have underwhelmed significantly, losing all six of their games. Their last game, last Sunday, saw them struggle with the bat en-route to a loss to DC. With KXIP undefeated at home so far, RCB have a big ask to get their first win. Can they do it?