IPL Fantasy 2015: Projecting Top Picks and Points-Scorers for Remaining Fixtures
With the finishing line in sight, this stage of the Indian Premier League is an ideal opportunity to re-evaluate your respective fantasy team options.
The play-offs are fast approaching, and with six teams realistically in with a fighting chance of making it to the final four of this competition, expect the high standards we’ve seen throughout to be enhanced even further.
With that in mind, here’s a look at which players have been faring best in this competition’s fantasy league so far and a closer examination of a couple of stars worth having in your squad as we edge closer to the business end of a gripping IPL campaign.
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| 1. | Andre Russell | Kolkata | 900,000 | 1,139 |
| 2. | Dwayne Bravo | Chennai | 950,000 | 1,125 |
| 3. | David Warner | Hyderabad | 1,050,000 | 1,091 |
| 4. | JP Duminy | Delhi | 1,000,000 | 997 |
| 5. | Ashish Nehra | Chennai | 850,000 | 875 |
| 6. | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Hyderabad | 950,000 | 847 |
| 7. | Brendon McCullum | Chennai | 1,050,000 | 842 |
| 8. | Ajinkya Rahane | Rajasthan | 950,000 | 837 |
| 9. | AB de Villiers | Bangalore | 1,100,000 | 815 |
| 10. | Virat Kohli | Bangalore | 1,050,000 | 803 |
Figures accurate as of 7 p.m. (BST), May 13.
Ashish Nehra, Chennai Super Kings
While the main attraction for those turning out to watch the Chennai Super Kings will typically be the explosive batting talents of men like Brendon McCullum and MS Dhoni, the bowling performances of Ashish Nehra have been critical in this team battling it out in the upper reaches of the IPL standings.
Nehra may be a little past his very best, but one of the joys of this IPL format is how veteran players can still mix it with the world’s top players. As noted here by cricket statistician Mohandas Menon earlier in the tournament, he’s one of the most economical bowlers around:
In this 20-over format, conceding few runs typically amounts to getting plenty of wickets, and at the time of writing, Nehra has helped himself to 17 across the tournament so far.
His figures of four wickets for 10 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier in the tournament remains the best individual display with the ball in the competition:
Another enamouring factor about the 36-year-old is his experience. While Chennai should have enough to make it into the last four—another reason to pick him—when there is so much at stake, players like Nehra, who seem unflustered by any occasion, are hugely valuable.
Andre Russell, Kolkata Knight Riders
Sitting pretty at the summit of the standings is Andre Russell, and as Kolkata Knight Riders go in search of their second successive IPL title, the multifaceted West Indies star is going to be so important.
Russell has already turned in some remarkable displays with both bat and ball in this tournament. He’s a player who is perfectly tailored for this particular style of cricket, whether it’s hammering bowlers to all parts or taking wickets with his seam bowling.
Freddie Wilde of ESPNCricinfo had high praise for Russell after yet another virtuoso display earlier in the competition:
Of course, it’s easy to say that the top point-scorer in the fantasy league should go in your team. But Nehra aside, there is no player cheaper than the Kolkata all-rounder in the top 10. With only 12 per cent of players picking Russell, he’s a sure-fire way to gain an edge in the latter stages of the competition too.
Especially if he can replicate sensational displays like this 19-ball half-century earlier in the tournament:
Russell was in the Kolkata squad that triumphed last year, but he didn’t play much of a key role. The improvements he’s made since then have been staggering, however, and as aforementioned, he’s probably the most destructive player in the world in this shortened format.
As such, expect the West Indies international to be doubly determined to make a major mark at the sharp end of the tournament with both bat and ball. Given the development in both his temperament and talent, there’s little chance of Russell’s immense impact wavering any time soon.
All statistics courtesy of the official IPL website.
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