Fantasy Pick: Back Samson and Russell for points
Fantasy suggestions for the IPL 2022 match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders
Rahul Maniraja
17-Apr-2022
April 18: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 30th match, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Safe XI: Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (capt), Shimron Hetmyer, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana, Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Andre Russell (vice-capt), Yuzvendra Chahal, Sunil Narine, Prasidh Krishna
Captain: Sanju Samson
Royals' captain is expected to score big after a string of low scores. He started the tournament with a 27-ball 55 against Sunrisers Hyderabad but has gone quiet after that. Overall in the middle overs, Samson has 706 runs in 25 innings at a strike rate of 159, the most runs for any player in this period.
Vice-captain: Andre Russell
The allrounder got the most fantasy points in Knight Riders' previous game against Sunrisers, scoring an unbeaten 49 off 25 balls and picking up 2 for 20. He is the second most valuable fantasy player (MVP) in this IPL so far after Hardik Pandya.
Hot picks
Jos Buttler: He is the current Orange Cap holder and the leading six-hitter, having scored 272 runs in five outings at a strike rate of 152.80. He has notched up 18 sixes so far. He is yet to score a half-century against Knight Riders.
Yuzvendra Chahal: The legspinner is the leading wicket-taker with 12 scalps in five outings at an economy of 6.80. Since the start of the previous IPL season, he has taken the most wickets in middle overs - 27 wickets in 20 innings at an economy of 6.80.
Differential picks
Devdutt Padikkal: The Karnataka youngster has been in form for Royals this season, scoring a quickfire 41 and 37. His scores against Knight Riders are 21, 22, 25, 25 and 32. Back him to play a crucial knock on Monday.
Sunil Narine: The allrounder has been the most economical bowler this season with an economy rate of 5.00 in six games. He could also be promoted up the batting order, which might fetch you additional fantasy points.
High risk XI: Jos Buttler (capt), Shreyas Iyer, Shimron Hetmyer, Nitish Rana, Devdutt Padikkal, Andre Russell, James Neesham, Venkatesh Iyer, Umesh Yadav, Sunil Narine, Yuzvendra Chahal (vice-capt).