IPL 2021 has started on a brilliant note. There have already been quite a few games that have gone down the wire. All the teams have played at least one game each. Batsmen and bowlers have left their stamp on the IPL. Mumbai and Chennai have hosted all the 16 completed games till now. Mumbai has witnessed high-scoring matches while Chennai has produced low-scoring thrillers.
Challenge for teams:
IPL 2021 has done away with the concept of home and away. All teams are required to play in neutral venues. This has negated the curated strength of the squad to a certain extent. Despite all odds, few players have put in striking performances. Few such players must have gone unsold in the fantasy auctions earlier. It is time you make a note of such key players and include them in your StumpsandBails fantasy team.
IPL 2021: PK vs MI preview
Punjab Kings had played their first 3 games at the Wankhede in Mumbai. They registered a thrilling win over Rajasthan Royals in the opening encounter. PK posted a mammoth total (221) and scraped home by 4 runs in that game. But since then the Punjab franchise have flattered to deceive. They were completely outplayed by CSK in their second game. While they went on to lose against DC even though they were in a dominant position.
PK’s problems have been confounded with their captain KL Rahul’s conservative approach. They will be hoping for him to play his natural game and set the tempo. The Chennai pitch tested PK team even more. PK could score a paltry 120 batting first against SRH. They went on to lose by 9 wickets. PK will be up against MI who are one of the form teams this season.
Mumbai Indians on the other hand have played all their games at the Chepauk, Chennai. They have slowly mastered the art of playing on these slow low wickets. MI ran RCB close in their opening game and then went on to defeat KKR and SRH. The defending champions have notched up 4 points without even playing their best cricket. This is a worrying sign for all the oppositions. MI’s bowling attack has arguably been the best in these conditions. They went on to lose a close game against DC. MI will be hungry for a win against the underwhelming Punjab Kings.
IPL 2021: Players to have in your StumpsandBails Fantasy Team
Shahrukh Khan:
Punjab Kings paid a whopping amount to bag Shahrukh Khan in IPL 2021 auctions. He was touted to be their finisher. Kings have often lacked a powerful finisher at the death. Khan was expected to fill that gap. He was coming off a successful SMAT (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) campaign where he was Tamil Nadu’s designated finisher. Khan has had a fairly decent IPL up until now. He averages 45 and is striking at 145. He will be a vital cog to Kings’ fortunes heading into the business end of the tournament. Khan will be a valued addition to your fantasy team.
Murugan Ashwin:
Murugan Ashwin might get another game in IPL 2021. He will be played against MI and it won’t be a surprise if he opens the bowling considering Rohit Sharma’s struggle against wrist spin. Ashwin might be PK’s X-factor. He has dismissed Suryakumar Yadav twice in space of 8 deliveries. Ashwin so far has had a mixed IPL with not many wickets in his kitty. But this might just be the game where he comes up with a match-winning performance.
