ICC Fantasy Preview: India v Sri Lanka
India enters the game off the back of a 124-run victory in the rain-affected match against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Sunday. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, succumbed to a 96-run defeat to South Africa at The Oval on Saturday, but should be able to welcome back influential skipper Angelo Mathews.
Dangerman: Virat Kohli (10.0)
Look, we could try to be different and think outside the box but our aim is to help you rack up fantasy points – and that’s exactly what our fantasy game’s most expensive gun for hire does. Kohli’s the most complete ODI batsman in the world, the ultimate run-chaser, he leads from the front and provides a perfect balance between brain and brawn. The India captain made a nonchalant 81 not out in 68 balls against Pakistan, including six fours and three sixes. The man’s a phenomenon: he averages 53.67 in ODIs, including 27 hundreds and 40 fifties. Yes, the 28-year-old No. 3 bat may occupy a large chunk of your budget but can you afford not to pick him? If you don’t, many of your fantasy rivals will.
Last five ODI scores: 65, 122, 8, 55, 81*
Dangerman: Niroshan Dickwella (4.5)
In the absence of fellow opener Upul Tharanga – the vice-captain is suspended for two games due to Sri Lanka’s slow over-rate against South Africa – a lot will rest on the shoulders of young wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella, who is expected to be partnered by Kusal Perera at the top of the order. Along with Kusal Mendis, Dickwella is one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting prospects. The enterprising right-hander will look to take the attack to India’s opening bowlers; he scored 41 from 33 balls against a strong South Africa attack which featured Kagiso Rabada – the man ranked No. 1 in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings. The 23-year-old averages 38.27 from 12 ODIs; he often gets starts but now needs to kick-on. He’s also likely to pick-up some useful catching points from behind the sticks.
Last five ODI scores: 25, 74, 58, 39, 41
Wildcard: Angelo Mathews (6.0)
We know what you’re thinking: how can Sri Lanka’s captain and highest-ranked ODI batsman be classed as a wildcard? Injuries, that’s why. He missed Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia earlier this year with a hamstring problem and he last played an ODI in August last year. He missed the first ICC Champions Trophy 2017 match due to a calf complaint and with vice-captain Tharanga missing, Mathews’ return is even more vital. The all-rounder yesterday said he was fully fit to play as a batsman, but is unlikely to bowl, yet his batting ability is impressive enough on its own. Mathews predominantly bats at No. 5 – a position where he averages 51.20. He averages 44.15 against India and 44.28 in England, so transferring him in could be an astute bit of business.
Last five ODI scores: 13, 0, 57, 2, 40
Last five ODI figures: DNB, 0/33, 2/17, 2/30, DNB
Absolute steal: Umesh Yadav (4.0)
The right-arm fast bowler claimed 3-30 off 7.4 overs at an economy rate of 3.91 against Pakistan. Any in-form opening bowler playing for one of the sides capable of going all the way is likely to provide value, but at 4.0 he represents an absolute bargain. His 64 ODI matches have yielded 91 wickets at 32.91. The 29-year-old likes tournament cricket; he finished the 2015 World Cup as the third-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets at 17.83. Tempting, right?
Last five ODI figures: 3/75, 1/60, 1/28, 1/63, 3/30
Numbers game:
MS Dhoni (6.0) loves playing Sri Lanka. He averages 61.35 against them which is, by a distance, his highest against any opponent in the ICC Champions Trophy. In fact, Sri Lanka have been on the receiving end of 2,086 (22%) of the former India captain’s 9,275 ODI runs. Even if Sri Lanka get a few early scalps, they’ll still have their tormentor-in-chief to contend with. Dhoni hit his ODI career-best 183* against Sri Lanka in 2005. Can he roll back the years?
Top transfer tip:
India plays twice in four days and is highly likely to qualify to the knockout phase, so get some Indians in your team right now. Its opposition will only get stronger after this one, starting with South Africaon Sunday as part of an epic weekend of ICC Champions Trophy cricket. But Sri Lanka may struggle to bowl India out (it managed six wickets against South Africa, while India only lost three wickets versus Pakistan), so, from a batting point of view, it may be wise to invest in India’s in-form top four of Rohit Sharma (7.5), Shikhar Dhawan (6.0), Kohli (10) and Yuvraj Singh (6.0) but remember, you can only have four players from any one nation during the group stage before that is raised to six for the semi-finals!