Cricinfo IPL Fantasy League guide: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders
The first match on gameday 14, i.e. April 16, 2013, will have a stuttering Kings XI Punjab engaging Kolkata Knight Riders, a team that has managed to impress with both the bat as well as the ball, though they are struggling to get consistent results.
With the match being played at Mohali, both the teams are expected to include specialist spinners in their side, something that clearly gives Knight Riders an edge over the local side, courtesy of the mysterious duo comprising of Sunil Narine and Sachithra Senanayake.
For the Cricinfo IPL Fantasy League enthusiasts, today’s match presents a wonderful opportunity to earn some valuable points and improve your overall ranking.
Since the track is expected to trouble the batsmen to an extent, it is imperative to go for experienced batsmen instead of betting your money on the up-and-coming talent.
Gautam Gambhir, the KKR skipper, would surely be a great player to have in your playing XI, along with the ever-so-useful Jacque Kallis, a talent like no other. Since the track is expected to assist the spinners, having Eoin Morgan in your team can come in real handy.
From the Kings XI Punjab side, David Hussey and Azhar Mahmood are your best bet. Both of them are seasoned campaigners, who have shown that they are capable of giving match-winning performances anywhere in the world. Even though the up-and-coming talent is not recommended for today’s match, you can make an exception with the Kings XI Punjab opener Mandeep Singh, who is surely the best Indian batsman in the local side’s line-up.
The choice for bowlers is pretty simple. As mentioned before, the pitch in Mohali offers enough for the bowlers to trouble the batsmen and keep them on their toes. The spinner in particular will prove to be a handful.
Therefore, add Narine and Senanayake to your playing XI without giving it a second though. Both of them are expected to pick wickets and at the same time end up with an impressive economy rate.
From the Kings XI Punjab side, consider having Praveen Kumar in your team, as his experience in the local conditions will surely make him a formidable threat.
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