IPL 2021 has started on a great 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 20 completed games till now. The Ahmedabad and Delhi leg will kickstart this week. Mumbai has witnessed high-scoring matches while Chennai has produced low-scoring thrillers. It will be interesting to see how the wickets in Ahmedabad and Delhi fare.
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: DC vs RCB preview
Delhi Capitals played their first 3 games at the Wankhede in Mumbai. The pitches there aided stroke-making. DC won 2 out of their 3 games. They started with a win over CSK, lost to RR, and beat PK. Their batting might helped them overhaul big targets against CSK and PK. DC struggled when the pitch offered something to the bowlers. Their struggles against RR seamers were proof of that point. DC began their Chennai sojourn with a win over MI. This win came as a shot in the arm for Delhi. They tied with SRH and later went on to win the super-over. DC are currently ranked 2nd in the points table. They can top the standings if they defeat RCB in this game.
Royal Challengers Bangalore started the tournament in the best possible way. They were the only team who their first 4 games this season. RCB posted thrilling wins over MI and SRH in their first two games. They comfortably defeated KKR in their third game. RCB found new heroes in every game. Harshal Patel led the charge in the first game while Glenn Maxwell’s innings proved to be the difference in the 2nd game.
RCB found new heroes in both their wins. Shahbaz Ahmed’s game-changing over against SRH was another highlight. Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers powered RCB to a fantastic total in the third game. Mohammad Siraj then bowled an excellent penultimate over to shut the game. RCB annihilated RR at Mumbai. But it all came unstuck against CSK. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round brilliance toppled RCB and they find themselves at number 3 in the points table. They will be hoping to get their campaign back on track with a win and reclaim the top spot.
IPL 2021: Players to have in your StumpsandBails Fantasy Team
Steve Smith:
Steve Smith has featured in 3 games for DC. He has found it tough to accelerate the scoring as soon as he walks into the wicket. But he played a crucial role in DC finishing with 159 against SRH. Smith will find the conditions in Ahmedabad to his liking. The true bounce of the wicket will compliment his stroke play. Smith is an undervalued T20 batsman. He can provide value to your StumpsandBails fantasy team.
Kyle Jamieson:
Kyle Jamieson was RCB’s biggest buy at IPL 2021 auctions. He was expected to spearhead the RCB attack in alien conditions. Jamieson has been pretty decent with his exploits this season. He doesn’t seem to get bogged down by the price tag attached to his name. Jamieson has picked 6 wickets in 5 games at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 17. He has been expensive but he offsets that by picking up crucial wickets. The conditions in Ahmedabad may just prove to be the one for his liking. Expect a standout performance from this 6 feet 8-inch gentle giant. It is the right time to include Jamieson in your fantasy team.
