We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for Today’s Kolkata vs Hyderabad Match
The last six games at the Maharashtra Cricket Association in Pune have been won by the team batting first. Additionally, the chasing team has been bowled out in three games, indicating that batting has been an uphill task as the game progresses.
Although pacers have done the most of the damage, the spinners too have had their share of fun.
Time: May 14, 7:30 PM IST
Probable Playing XIs for Kolkata & Hyderabad
Kolkata may have managed a victory without their top wicket-taker Umesh Yadav, but they would want him in his full fitness as the race for playoffs tightens up. In addition to this, Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the league due to a hip injury. Make sure you check the playing XI before you finalise your fantasy teams.
Probable XI for Kolkata: Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell*, Sunil Narine*, Sheldon Jackson (wk), Chamika Karunaratne*, Tim Southee*, Varun Chakravarthy/Umesh Yadav
While there was no word on Washington Sundar, Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson said that T Natarajan and Marco Jansen are recovering well and he is hoping to see them in action soon.
Probable XI for Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Kane Williamson* (c), Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram*, Nicholas Pooran* (wk), Shashank Singh, Jagadeesha Suchith, Kartik Tyagi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Fazalhaq Farooqi/Marco Jansen*, Umran Malik
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Power Players for Today’s Kolkata vs Hyderabad Match
Andre Russell does not need to bowl his full quota to be at the top of the list. His strike rate reads 9, that is, he has taken 14 wickets in a mere 21.1 overs. He is a death-over specialist, after all. In the previous game against Hyderabad, he put up an all-round show: 2 for 20 and 49* off 25.
In the same game, it was Aiden Markram’s 68* that lifted Hyderabad to a commanding position after early jitters and eventually helped them chase 171. Although his incredible average of 65 is a result of his unbeaten innings, he has been the team’s best performer. At the venue, he has scores of 57* and 17.
Smart Picks for Today’s Kolkata vs Hyderabad Match
Tim Southee has gone wicketless only once, but in that game too, he bowled impressive spells. Overall, the Kiwi veteran has picked 12 wickets in 7 games.
Abhishek Sharma may have added a mere 7 runs in the last two games, but before the consecutive failure, he had provided bonus points for scoring 30-plus runs in six of seven innings. With 331 runs in 11 games, he is the highest run-scorer for Hyderabad.
Umran Malik has gone wicketless in three consecutive games, after his spectacular five-wicket haul. However, the fact that he took 2 wickets against Kolkata earlier in the season and that he has taken 2 wickets at the venue make him a valuable pick. Overall, he has taken 15 wickets in 11 games.
Shreyas Iyer has done the bulk of the work for Kolkata with the bat. His 336 runs have come at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 129.
Kolkata must have heaved a sigh after Nitish Rana’s return to form. His last four scores read 57, 48*, 2, and 43. To add fuel to the fire, his only fifty of the season came against Hyderabad.
Nicholas Pooran (261 runs) and Rahul Tripathi (308 runs) have been chipping in with vital scores but not in tandem. With Kane Williamson struggling with consistency, the duo of Pooran and Tripathi needs to form partnerships with the in-form Markram.
The constant change in opening combinations hasn’t reaped rewards for Kolkata. With Venkatesh Iyer smashing 43 with confidence and conviction in the last game, it must have taken some pressure off the team management.
Match Preview
Both teams have won 5 games each, but Kolkata have played 12 matches compared to Hyderabad’s 11.
As far as the recent form is concerned, Hyderabad have lost four matches in a row and Kolkata have won two of three.
All in all, Hyderabad lack teeth in their bowling department. They desperately need the services of Natarajan and Sundar. The onus is on their batting unit to negotiate Kolkata’s top-class bowlers.