Fantasy: Build your team around spin-bowling all-rounders

Chennai Super Kings will take on Rajasthan Royals in Match 17 of the Indian Premier League 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday (April 12). Both teams have won two of their three encounters and would be eager to keep the winning momentum going.

Ground details

It’s Chepauk we are talking about, of course it’s going to spin. The venue hosted its first IPL encounter after 1426 days, which turned out to be a high-scoring affair. The hosts slammed 217/7 in their 20 overs and Lucknow Super Giants ended up with 205/7 in the second innings.

This wasn't the Chepauk of before but it still had enough assistance for spinners. In a match where 422 runs were scored, the fast bowlers operated at an economy of 11.2 and a strike rate of 24. Meanwhile, the spinners conceded at 8.1 runs per over and also picked a wicket every 12 deliveries.

Suggested teams

While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.

Captaincy suggestions

For small leagues: Jos Buttler (capt), Moeen Ali (vice-capt)

For grand leagues:  Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-capt)

Stats that matter

Jos Buttler has an average of 287 and a strike rate of 154.3 against spin in IPL since 2022. The right-handed opener from England has been dismissed by a spinner only once in his last 20 IPL games. He also has a solid record against CSK, having scored 267 runs @ 53.4.

Moeen Ali had a phenomenal game when MS Dhoni and Co. were last here in Chennai. The spin-bowling all-rounder first smashed 19 off 13 deliveries and then claimed 4/26 to win the Player of the Match award. He missed CSK’s last game but will likely return for this one.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in pretty great form this season, having managed scores of 60, 11 and 50. In IPL since 2022, the left-hander has an average of 56.5 and a strike rate of 143.04 against spin.

Grand League punts

189 runs in three innings at an average of 94.50 and a strike rate of 161.54, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been CSK’s batting mainstay this season. The right-handed opener has scores of 40*, 57 and 91 in this edition but will have to be careful against Trent Boult, against whom he averages 7.3 and has been dismissed thrice in four innings.

Ravindra Jadeja loves playing against Rajasthan Royals. The left-handed batter averages 48 against them with the bat and 21.8 with the ball, picking up a wicket every 17.6 deliveries. In the last match against MI, Jadeja claimed 3/20.

Probable XIs

Chennai - Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Shivam Dube, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Tushar Deshpande.

Rajasthan - Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jason Holder, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.