Time: October 7, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Pitch report
Mumbai’s seamers got enough swing to rattle Rajasthan’s top-order. As a matter of fact, Jofra Archer’s spells had already hinted that Abu Dhabi is favourable for seamers under lights.
The team batting first has won 4 of 7 matches. The highest total registered is also the highest total chased: 195 for 5 by Mumbai.
Power players
Faf du Plessis was run out in the only innings he failed. 22 runs aren’t few, but it was a setback by his standards. His other scores read 58*, 72, 43, and 87*. When he is not batting, he is busy taking blinders at the boundary line. His 5 catches are the most in the series. Given his consistency and athleticism, he does not seem 36.
Talking about age, Shane Watson is only getting younger. Even if his legs get tired, it wouldn’t affect his run-making. He hit a 101-metre six against Punjab and it was effortless. Above all, he is back to doing what he does best. His unbeaten 83 off 53 was a delight to watch.
Kolkata Knight Riders will have to rethink about Eoin Morgan’s batting position. Perhaps the result would have been in Kolkata’s favour had he not batted at as low as No. 6. Overall, he has been in a top-notch form. His last three scores read 42*, 34*, and 44. Imagine the mayhem if he gets to bat longer.
Shubman Gill had a lapse in concentration in the previous game. He was well set on 28, aiming for another match-winning innings. He is the highest run-scorer for Kolkata, hitting them at an impressive average of 50.6.
Smart picks
With 6 wickets, Piyush Chawla is the highest wicket-taker for Chennai. More importantly, he has not gone wicketless in all five matches. The same has been the case with Varun Chakravarty: he has taken a wicket every match.
Andre Russell’s fame in online fantasy sports has been in a downward spiral. Neither has been destructive with the bat nor consistent with the ball. That said, he is still a handy all-rounder. If not as your captain or vice-captain, it is at least better to have him in your fantasy teams. Leaving him out is never a risk worth taking. A useful fantasy sports tip would be to check his captain and vice-captain selection percentage before narrowing down your teams.
Pat Cummins is having a tough time dominating on the UAE pitches. He has taken only 2 wickets in 4 matches.
Probable XIs
Kolkata: Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Rahul Tripathi, Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy
Chennai: Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Piyush Chawla
