Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Kings square off in LPL opener - get Lanka Premier League 2021 fantasy tips
Galle Gladiators (GG) will take on Jaffna Kings (JK) in match 1 of Lanka Premier League 2021 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, December 5.
GG vs JK Dream11 prediction
Defending champions Jaffna Kings (formerly known as Jaffna Stallions) will take on Galle Gladiators in the first match of the Lanka Premier League 2021. Both teams have a balanced squad on paper and will aim to start their campaigns with a victory. Thisara Perera will lead Jaffna Kings while Bhanuka Rajapaksa will captain the Galle Gladiators’ side.
It is difficult to predict a winner between the two sides, although Jaffna Kings hold a slight advantage due to their side’s all-round balance.
GG vs JK Dream11 team tips for Lanka Premier League 2021
Top Tip: Best batter
Faf du Plessis of JK is a top batting pick for this clash. With over 6800 runs in T20 cricket, the former South African captain is likely to open the innings for the Kings. With his ability to mix caution and aggression, du Plessis is among the most dangerous batters at the top of the order. Selected by 77 per cent of the fantasy users, Faf du Plessis is a must-have pick for 9.5 credits.
Top Tip: Best bowler
Tabraiz Shamsi will be a great inclusion in the bowlers’ category. The 31-year-old is currently the second-ranked bowler in ICC Men’s T20I rankings and is likely to play a crucial role for GG in this tournament. Shamsi has 195 wickets in T20 cricket at an economy of 7.16. Selected by 87 per cent of the fantasy users, Tabraiz Shamsi will be a valuable asset for 9 credits.
Top Tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper
Wanindu Hasaranga of JK is the best all-round option for this encounter. The 24-year-old is a wily leg-spinner who can confidently score runs lower down the order. Hasaranga was the leading wicket-taker in the recently-concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, with 16 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 5.20. The Sri Lankan star is expected to play as a finisher.
Amongst the wicket-keepers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz of JK is the best option. The Afghan is coming on the back of a superb Abu Dhabi T10 2021, where he was among the tournament’s leading run-scorers. The right-hander commands a strike rate of 151 in T20 cricket and can be a gamechanger in close contests. At 8.5 credits, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a good budget pick for this match.
GG vs JK full squads
GG squad: Bhanuka Rajapaksa (captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Isuru Udana, Angelo Jayasinghe, Mohammad Amir, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Tabraiz Shamsi, Anwar Ali, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ashan Daniel, Mohommed Shamaaz, Nuwan Thushara, Samit Patel, Suminda Lakshan, Pulina Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Madushanka, Dilshan Madushanka, Kevin Koththigoda, Mohammad Hafeez
JK squad: Thisara Perera (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Krishan Sanjula, Suranga Lakmal, Jayden Seales, Ashen Bandara, Upul Tharanga, Wahab Riaz, Chanika Gunasekara, Chaturanga de Silva, Rathnaraja Thanuradan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicket-keeper), Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Theivendram Dinoshan, Ashan Randika, Krishan Sanjula, Avishka Fernando, Faf du Plessis
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Featured photo: STR / AFP