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Rivalry notes
I'll definitely make a couple changes but they'll mostly be based on the SRH and RCB announced line ups the rest will likely mostly remain the same. I'll edit this post if/when I make changes. I recommend you have cheaper players who might change from the SRH vs RCB match as you can change those based on the line up. The others would be locked in so you definitely want players who'll definitely play from the next couple games. Sticking to a small number of players from each game as it's early just to see how everyone plays without wasting too many transfers. Also left 1.5cr leeway to make those changes based on the line up released on the day.
Now for my reasoning I already decided to keep my SRH vs RCB players on the cheaper side to ensure my players from the other games are ones that would definitely play. With 100cr and 11 players the average player would be 9cr. Pandya, Bethell and Dubey look like they'll be decent value while also being at or below the 9cr number. Dubey took 5 wickets in 3 games and could be great if he gets a chance. Bethell scored a 105 in the T20WC and was a great young player throughout. Pandya is just a reliable constant figure. I know he’ll bat, bowl and get his points. Allrounders always have the safety of two skills and in Chinnaswamy I would not recommend backing any of these fairly mediocre specialist bowlers. If Dubey or Bethel don't play I'd probably swap them for Aniket or Jitesh as other good cheap options. Ishan Kishan is on the pricey side but he was simply excellent in the 2026 T20WC and it will be having a big effect on my choices especially early in the tournament. Ishan for that price is more reliable than Abhi and more in form than Head and Klaasen though that could change at any time. I also wanted to keep 2 from each side. For the next games I decided to only have 3 players each side but if you've done the maths we only have 2 transfers per game so really I should reduce it to 2 players from each game 1 a side. If I make any major change it would be that. However if we do a 3-2-2-2-2 split of players the last game is far enough away that surprise injuries or absences could occur which is why we need to keep on top of those. I have made a post of current injuries/absences we know of.
The next game MI vs KKR I once again trusted the 2026 T20WC as a good test of abilities and am backing Finn Allen for a very reasonable 7cr. Unfortunately I'm not 100% he'll play but that's the risk I'm willing to take. Green was only 8cr and while not confirmed he'll bowl this IPL he's still an excellent batsman who went for 25cr for a reason. We can be sure he plays and if he bowls too that's just even better. Do I even need to explain Bumrah? If you can trust anyone to take a wicket and not get smacked it's him.
For CSK vs RR Noor was an easy pick as the second highest wicket taker last edition he needs no introduction. Guwahati is also generally spin friendly but we'll have to see how the first game takes shape to confirm that. Mhatre was an incredible young player last season scoring with an avg of 34 at a SR of 189! Truly brilliant and will be one to watch this season. CSK will depend on him along with Samson and Dube to carry them. Jaiswal now an experienced player, has shown his talent over the years. You can depend on him to score some runs and I feel it’s good to have a mix of high ceiling differentials like Mhatre along with reliable scores by players like Jaiswal.
With 1 spot left for PBKS vs GT I was split between Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna. Krishna got the most wickets last season at 25 and Singh not far behind at 21. Singh it also the more skilled of the two. But being 1cr cheaper I felt if I wanted to make any last minute changes Krishna would give me the freedom to but both are great picks.
Thanks for reading all this as from the next game onward 0-3 transfers would be getting made each post so they will be much shorter but of course as it’s the first game I just wanted to explain all my choices. I do have a second team if you want an idea of other ways to play: Allen, Samson, Bethell, Green, Shashank, Abhishek Cap, V Iyer Vice, Dube, Krishna, Bumrah, Archer. As you can see some names are repeated, I felt they were either good value or plain reliable players.
I just hope this has given some inspiration on how to make your team as it can be quite difficult to fit all your favourites within the tight 100cr budget. Once again I am reminding you of our private league you can join to compete with me and Nischal: 7B40KD0110@1. Good luck to everyone (you too Nischal) and let the games begin!
Finn Alen,Seifert, Green, Powell, Narine, Mazubrani - which four players will play for KKR on the 2nd match? i think finn alen is doubt .
Hi, I think with KKR it's really uncertain who their overseas players are gonna end up being. I guess you can be quite safe picking narine but I'd calm on picking overseas players from KKR until we're into the season a little bit and we know who they tend to pick in their playing XI
KKR has a fairly average batting lineup and Finn Allen played really well in the t20 WC. They'll be making a mistake if they don't atleast try to play him. But if you're unsure go with Green, he was paid a lot for a reason I expect him to come at 1 down and Narine, he was still their most impactful player in 2025 and should play again. The rest I would not include as you can't be confident they play. If you want to pick one just wait until the second match and the lineup is released.
Match 1: Ishan Kishan, Abhsihek, Bethell , Salam (RCB), , Match 2 : Green and Narine, Match 3: Sorryavanshi, Mhatre, Brevis, Match 4: Chahal, Krishna Arshdeep, Tilak varma, , Sami, Axar patel are in my mind please suggest
Even with Yash and Hazelwood out it's still unlikely Rasikh would be chosen except as an impact player. He only played 2 games last season despite being 6cr. I still think he'll play this season, just too hard to judge if he'll play the first match. If you want you can want for the lineup to release. The rest of the team is very solid. Arshdeep and Axar and expensive but good picks. Varma and Shami will likely not be good picks for their expensive price. Overall nice team, good job.
Also i have doubt on Noor ahmed ( CSK may go with Akeal ???)
Noor was the second highest overall wicket taker in 2025 and can have a bit of a whack. He'll definitely play if healthy which he should be.