IPL Fantasy: This week’s pick

The upcoming week in the IPL will determine which teams will make it to the playoffs. With every team left with 4-5 games now, a loss could potentially prevent a team from finishing in the top 4.

Each team has the following number of matches in the next week:

KKR, GL- 1

DD, RPSG-2

RCB, KXI,  SRH, MI- 3

Here are the players that you should have in your team:

Batsmen (Indian)

1. Virat Kohli-  There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the form Virat is in. With 541 runs in 8 matches at an average of 90, there shouldn’t be any doubt regarding Kohli’s place in your team and if you have him and not captain him, it is a cardinal sin.

2. Shikhar Dhawan- Gabbar is back in form and is the reason why Sun Risers have made it to the top of the points table. Without being flamboyant, Dhawan is carrying his bat and making match winning contribution.

3. Rohit Sharma: Mumbai has 4 matches left in this year’s IPL and they play 3 of those 4 matches in the coming week. At a time when qualification is at stake, expect the Hit Man to step up for his team. Mumbai play Punjab, Bangalore and Delhi and with Punjab and Bangalore having a weak bowling line up, you can expect Rohit to score heavily.

4. Karun Nair: If Delhi stops messing around with their batting line up and play Karun at number 3 or 4, there is a very good chance that this stylish batsman will score heavily. With him being a free transfer, it’s a safe bet to have him in your team.

* Ajinkya Rahane- A safe bet to have, will score in most of the matches he plays.

Bowlers (Indian)

1. Sandeep Singh: Punjab’s strength this season has been Sandeep’s bowling, every time he has bowled well, Punjab have done well. He has been one of the most economical bowlers this season and he is now picking wickets regularly. With Punjab playing their next 3 matches this week, Sandeep should be spearheading your bowling line up.

2. Yuzvendra Chahal: Chahal has been unfortunate to miss out on games due to RCB struggling to find the right combination but he has still bowled well and has picked up wickets in almost every game he has played. Another uncapped player, he will be a free transfer and real differential if you pick him in your team.

3) Bhuvaneshwar Kumar- This year’s IPL has been nothing short of a renaissance for Bhuvi, who was almost written off by everyone for being too one dimensional. With 10 wickets in 7 matches, he has played a very important role in Sun Riser’s surge to the top of the table.

* Ashish Nehra- Nehra is a good differential option to have in the team.

Batmen (Overseas)

1. David Warner: Top scoring overseas batsman this year, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be in your team.

2.  AB de Villiers- AB hasn’t been in the best of form but for how long can you expect him to be out of form? With RCB needing to win almost all of their matches to qualify, expect AB to deliver when his teams needs him the most.

3. Usman Khawaja- Khawaja has got good starts this season but has failed to convert it into big scores but there is a very good chance that he will finally come good this time around as he would now be more accustomed to Indian conditions and Rahane’s calling for runs.

* Marcus Stoinis- Man of the Match in his last game, Stoinis might continue to contribute and is a good differential option.

Bowlers (Overseas)

1. M. Rehman–  Rehman has been a revelation in the IPL and is on the verge of being the Purple cap holder. With 3 games this week, make sure that he is in your team.

2. C. Morris– Delhi’s success has been due to their excellent bowling but lately the team has under-performed. Morris has been an important element of the team and has constantly performed for them. With Delhi needing a final push to make it to the top 4, Morris will have a huge impact in their upcoming matches.

• Andre Russel- Even though KKR has only one match this week, Russel is an excellent choice as he contributes handsomely with the bat and ball.