We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
Going by recent history, the Wankhede Stadium has proven to be a predominantly happy chasing ground. Four out of the last five games at the venue have been won by the teams chasing.
Teams
Kane Williamson won’t be available for the final match.
Probable XI for Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Priyam Garg, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram*, Nicholas Pooran* (wk), Glenn Phillips*, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Fazalhaq Farooqi/Marco Jansen*, Umran Malik, T Natarajan
Probable XI for Punjab: Jonny Bairstow*, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa/Odean Smith*, Liam Livingstone*, Mayank Agarwal (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada/Nathan Ellis*, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Power Players
With 21 wickets in 13 games, Umran Malik is the leading wicket-taker for Hyderabad this season. Besides picking 6 wickets in his last two appearances, he also finished with figures of 4 for 28 against Punjab earlier in the tournament.
Despite his belligerent hitting at a strike rate of 177.98, Liam Livingstone has smashed 388 runs, including four half-centuries at an impressive average of 32.33.
At the Wankhede, Rahul Tripathi has blasted 150 runs in three outings, including the highest score of 76 against Mumbai in the last match.
Smart Picks
Jitesh Sharma’s neat wicketkeeping and clean big hitting has been a major discovery for Punjab. Batting down the order, he has added 91 runs in his last three innings. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if he is asked to bat up the order in the final match.
T Natarajan might have been taken to the cleaners in the Mumbai game, but it’s not to be forgotten that he already has 18 scalps to his credit at 22.56.
It appears that Abhishek Sharma has adopted an all-or-nothing approach this season. Besides getting dismissed for two single-digit scores at the Wankhede, he also has a 65 to his name at the venue.
Arshdeep Singh’s economical spell at the death has impressed one and all. Although Punjab lost to Delhi in their previous encounter, his spell of 3 for 37 helped fantasy players march ahead.
Shikhar Dhawan has once again lived up to his billing by adding 421 runs at 38.27. Interestingly, his highest score of 88* came at the Wankhede Stadium.
Post his initial struggles, Jonny Bairstow has managed to step up the ante. His last three scores read 28, 66, and 56.
If Hyderabad are to finish on a high, the likes of Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran will have to come to the party. With Kane Williamson’s absence, the duo could bat up the order.
Fantasy Flops
It’s been a horrendous season for Mayank Agarwal. He hasn’t scored above 25 in his last 6 innings. That said, with nothing to lose in the final league game, he could go all guns blazing.
Match Preview
Both teams have been knocked out of the playoffs race, owing to which this clash will be inconsequential. That said, Hyderabad and Punjab might be tempted to test some newcomers as they aim to finish off the season on a positive note. When these two teams met earlier in the competition, Hyderabad beat Punjab by seven wickets.
Time: 22 May, 7.30 PM IST