We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report for Kolkata vs Rajasthan Match at Wankhede Stadium
Toss has not played a major factor at the Wankhede Stadium. 6 of the 12 targets have been successfully defended. While runs have been easy to come by, pacers have got enough purchase in the powerplay and spinners have received enough zip in the middle overs. With 9 wickets each to their names, Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav are the joint-highest wicket-takers at the venue.
Probable Playing XIs for Kolkata & Rajasthan Teams
Probable XI for Kolkata: Aaron Finch*, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Sunil Narine*, B Indrajith (wk), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell*, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee*, Harshit Rana
Probable XI for Rajasthan: Jos Buttler*, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer*, Daryl Mitchell*, Riyan Parag, R Ashwin, Trent Boult*, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen
Power Players for Today’s Kolkata vs Rajasthan Match
One of Jos Buttler’s three hundreds have come against Kolkata and one at the Wankhede Stadium. With 566 runs at an average of 71 and a strike rate of 155, he is the highest run-scorer of the Indian T20 league 2022 season. If anything, these numbers are second to none. He will be the most picked captain in fantasy cricket tonight.
Umesh Yadav’s 9 of 14 wickets have come at the venue. The bounce and swing at the Wankhede Stadium favours his style of bowling. All eyes will be on the battle between Umesh and Buttler.
Yuzvendra Chahal picked up a five-wicket haul against Kolkata earlier this season. Above all, he is the highest wicket-taker: his 19 wickets have come at a superior strike rate of 11.3. At the venue, he has managed 7 wickets in 3 games.
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Smart Picks for Today’s Kolkata vs Rajasthan Match
Shreyas Iyer has shouldered the responsibility of scoring the bulk of the runs for Kolkata. He has managed 290 runs at 36.2, including two fifties. His highest score (85) of the season came against Rajasthan. Being a good player of spin has helped him keep the spin duo of Chahal and R Ashwin at bay.
Shimron Hetmyer has made the most of what he has been offered in the middle and death overs. He applies the final touches to the innings, in the pursuit of which he has hammered 233 runs at a strike rate of 160.
It’s either all or nothing. Andre Russell has been either great or ordinary. The Caribbean marauder has the highest scores of 70*, 49, and 48 and the best bowling figures of 4 for 5. On other days, he walks back for a duck and leaks runs generously.
Devdutt Padikkal has scores of 37, 29, and 54 at the Wankhede Stadium, playing the perfect supporting role to the rampaging Buttler.
Form Concerns
Retaining the promising Venkatesh Iyer has not paid dividends for the Kolkata franchise. The all-rounder has managed a mere 132 runs at 16.5 and has gone wicketless in the only three overs he was given.
Key Battles
Sanju Samson isn’t going to change his brand of cricket. He likes to play his shots as soon as he steps in, but to counterattack the likes of Sunil Narine will take some effort. Samson’s 244 runs have come at an outstanding strike rate of 168 and Narine has bowled at an economy of 5.3.
Match Preview
Kolkata have lost five games on the trot after winning four of their first five matches. They have had four opening combinations. They had to drop Pat Cummins, one of their retained players. And much more…
On the other hand, Rajasthan have been posting just enough runs on the scoreboard and their spinners have been striking just at the right junctures.
Kolkata fought tooth and nail against Rajasthan earlier in the edition, falling painfully short by 7 runs while chasing a mammoth target of 218 runs.
Time: May 2, 7:30 PM IST