We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for Kolkata vs LSG Match at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy has been producing an equal clash between the bat and ball. Although the nature of the pitch does not alter as the game progresses, chasing anything above 160 has been challenging. Clearing the bigger dimensions has been tough labour for the batters.
Time: May 18, 7:30 PM IST
Probable Playing XIs for Kolkata & Lucknow Super Giants
Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian T20 League 2022 due to injury. Just when the top order looked stable, Kolkata will have to dish out a new plan.
Probable XI for Kolkata: Venkatesh Iyer, Baba Indrajith/Sheldon Jackson, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Sam Billings* (wk), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell*, Sunil Narine*, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee*, Varun Chakravarthy
Probable XI for Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock* (wk), KL Rahul (c), Deepak Hooda*, Krunal Pandya, Ayush Badoni, Marcus Stoinis*, Jason Holder*, Mohsin Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Dushmantha Chameera, Avesh Khan
Power Players for
Andre Russell has been the captain of the Ultimate Team on My11Circle in the last two of three games. His previous three performances read 45 and 2/22, 9 and 2/22, and 49* and 3 for 22.
Deepak Hooda has scored 213 runs at a strike rate of over 140 in the last five games. He has not only been rescuing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from early fall of wickets but also been beefing up the run-rate in the middle and death overs.
Smart Picks for Kolkata vs LSG Match
Numbers do not favour KL Rahul for this game. The LSG skipper has one fifty in the last five innings, and the remaining four scores read 6, 0, 8, and 10, of which the duck came against Kolkata. At the venue, he has scores of 24 and 30, which are decent for a smart pick and not a power player.
Shreyas Iyer (351 runs) and Nitish Rana (319 runs) have been instrumental in the middle order. The duo will have to keep the scoreboard ticking and set the stage for Russell to go bonkers.
Avesh Khan has hunted down six wickets in the last three games. More importantly, his bowling figures of 4 for 24 have come at DY. He has been hitting attacking lengths in the powerplay, forcing the batters into playing false strokes.
Umesh Yadav is back to the grind. He registered impressive figures of 1 for 19, after taking a two-week rest to nurse his injury. Overall, he has taken 16 wickets in 11 games, being lethal majorly with the new ball.
Tim Southee has taken two three-wicket and three two-wicket hauls in 8 games, going wicketless only once. He has been a fantasy favourite of late.
Jason Holder’s only three-for of the season came against Kolkata. He bowls in the powerplay, middle overs, and death, scaling up his chances of grabbing more wickets. His 14 wickets have come at a strike rate of 16.
Mohsin Khan is predominantly a strike bowler and yet he has been able to give away only 6 RPO. He likes to cramp the batters for room, eventually compelling them to take risks against him. He has sniped up 10 wickets in 7 games, the bulk of which have come in the powerplay.
Krunal Pandya continues to provide handy fantasy points with both bat and ball. Being used as a pinch-hitter, he launches an attack right away. His highest score (42) has come at the very venue. In addition, he has given useful points for his economy of 6.6, nine wickets, and seven catches.
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Kolkata vs LSG Match Preview
While it’s a must-win game for Kolkata to stay in the hunt for the playoffs, LSG will look for a victory to secure a spot in the top two. As far as the recent form is concerned, Kolkata have won the last two games and LSG have lost both.
Both teams boast of a quality bowling attack, and if anything, the batters will have to be mindful of their stroke play. Expect a thrilling battle, as the race for playoffs intensifies.