We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
T20I played at the venue: 1
1st innings score: 207
2nd innings score: 209
Type: A batting beauty, with some turn for the spinners.
Teams
Probable XI for India: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
Probable XI for Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Cameron Green, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Daniel Sams, Sean Abbott/Nathan Ellis, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Game Changers
Call it an arm ball or the lack of turn – whatever it is, Australia haven’t been able to decipher Axar Patel’s finger-spin. The point of release, punctuated with accuracy, has fetched him 5 wickets, the most in the series. Besides, he can pack a punch with the bat, adding more to your tally of fantasy points.
Glenn Maxwell may have contributed only a run and an over in the series, but he will remain Australia’s game changer. If anything, he is asked to bat at any position and bowl in any situation. Not to forget the points he provides for the unbelievable catches he takes in the deep.
Given the combinations India played, it is likely that we will see Hardik Pandya open the bowling more often. To put things into perspective, it is more beneficial for fantasy players. More wickets, along with his consistent run-making, will be a blessing.
Smart Picks
Aaron Finch has been consistently bettering his numbers against India. After the knocks of 22 off 13 and 31 off 15, his average has shot to 29.
A rare failure for Suryakumar Yadav won’t affect his selection percentage in fantasy leagues. He will bat the way he always does. After all, in 2022, he has scored 613 runs at 36.
Nathan Ellis’ change-in-pace has kept him amongst wickets. Although the approach leaks runs at an unreasonable rate, the wickets column keeps the fantasy players happy.
The weather at Hyderabad seems better for Sunday, which means Camron Green will get more opportunities– with both bat and ball – to make an impact in fantasy cricket.
Adam Zampa provided bonus points for a three-wicket haul on Friday. Despite being hit for a massive six, he did not hesitate to toss the ball up. Above all, he yet again got the better of Virat Kohli.
An impeccable yorker that not only earned him Aaron Finch’s wicket but also his praise. He then made Steven Smith fall with a toe-crushing yorker. Jasprit Bumrah was, for the lack of a better word, spectacular. He finished with 1 for 22.
Power Players
In the literal sense of the word, Rohit Sharma played a gem of an innings at Nagpur. Neither hitting the ball hard nor displaying lousy footwork, Rohit waited for the ball and let his bat weave a magical innings of 46* off 20. In his last 5 T20Is, he has hammered 178 runs at an average of 45.
Sitting atop the runs chart is Matthew Wade. His timing, to say the least, has been sublime, be it finding gaps on the off-side or clearing the leg-side boundary. Before his scores of 43* and 45* in the series, he had hit 81 in the English 100 League.
Fantasy Tip of The Day
The bowlers, who haven’t been able to execute their variations with pace and lengths, have had a hard time. The likes of Bumrah and Ellis have shown how to get the job done, and it is likely to be the same case on Sunday. Otherwise, the batters won’t show any mercy whatsoever.
