LPL 2024 KFL vs DS: Match 1 Dream11 Predictions, Fantasy Tips, Teams, Pitch Report & Top Picks

Hasaranga to lead Kandy team [X]

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) returns for its fifth edition, The opening match of the Lanka Premier League 2024 will see Kandy Falcons (KFL) take on Dambulla Sixers (DS) at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, Sri Lanka on Monday, July 1st, 2024 at 07:30 PM IST.

Defending champions, Kandy Falcons will be looking to start their campaign on a high note. LPL 2023 finalist Dambulla Sixers, on the other hand, will also be eager to make their mark in the tournament.

Ahead of the game, here is a look at the Dream11 predictions, fantasy tips, pitch report, the top player picks and the best-predicted XIs for the fantasy contests of the match.

KFL vs DS Head-to-Head Stats

Kandy Falcons and Dambulla Sixers have played nine matches against each other and the contest has been pretty close between them. Kandy Falcons have won five of these seven games while Dambulla Sixers have won four matches.

KFL vs DS Pitch Report

The pitch at Pallekele Cricket Stadium is a balanced surface that favours both batters and bowlers. Fast bowlers get some early swing from the surface thanks to the freshness of the wicket. But after fading away the shine of the new ball, batters find it easy to score runs. The pitch started to slow down as the match progressed, which brought spinners into the game. Due to the slow pitch, spinners dominate the rest of the game at this stadium.

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Stats (LPL)

Matches: 17
Matches won batting first: 9
Matches won batting second: 8

Average first innings score: 163.5
Average second innings score: 147.6
Highest total recorded: 240
Lowest total recorded: 89

Fantasy value from the pitch report

• Top-order batters from both sides are beneficial.
• Big-hitters from the middle order on either side could well be profitable.
• Seam bowlers from either side will also get you good points.

KFL vs DS Fantasy Cricket Tips

Kandy Falcons Heavy Fantasy XI

• Wanindu Hasaranga and Angelo Mathews's all-round ability will be crucial for this match, and bowlers like Mohammad Hasnain, Kamindu Mendis and Dushmantha Chameera will play an important part in the bowling department.
• Dinesh Chandimal, Andre Fletcher, Dimuth Karunaratne, Agha Salman and Mohammad Haris will handle the batting department.

Dambulla Sixers Heavy Fantasy XI

• Kusal Perera, Mark Chapman, and Ibrahim Zadran would be the safer choices from the batter's section. You can also back Towhid Hridoy, who is a good player for spin.
• Mohammad Nabi, Dushan Hemantha, Mustafizur Rahman and Nuwan Thushara will be the most valuable picks from the bowler's section.

KFL vs DS Winner Prediction

As per the last five matches record between these two teams and records on this ground, Kandy Falcons are favourites to clinch a victory here against Dambulla Sixers.

KFL vs DS Top Player Picks

 Angelo Mathews (KFL)

Ace Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews led Kandy Falcons to lift the trophy last season, defeating Dambulla Aura by five wickets. Skipper Matthews became man of the match due to his all-round brilliance in the final.

Wanindu Hasaranga (KFL)

Wanindu Hasaranga was named the player of the tournament last season. He had a dream season, scoring 279 runs and picking up 19 wickets. The leg spinner will be the player to watch out for in the forthcoming season, too.

Ibrahim Zadran (DS)

Afghanistan batter, Ibrahim Zadran has been in excellent form right now. In recent T20 WC 2024 tournament, he has scored 231 runs in 8 innings. He will be vital asset for Dambulla Sixers in this tournament.

Mustafizur Rahman (DS)

The Bangladeshi pacer has been in great form with the ball in recent matches. He picked 8 wickets with an economy rate of 5.46 in T20 WC 2024 tournament.

KFL vs DS Differential Picks

Dinesh Chandimal (KFL)

Right handed wicket-keeper batter, Dinesh Chandimal was the third highest run-scorer of previous edition of Lanka Premier League, he had scored 259 runs. He is a great differential pick considering his batting position and experience.

Mohammad Nabi (DS)

The Afghan all-rounder has not delivered for his country as per expectations in T20 WC 2024. But being a middle-order batter and an efficient spin bowler, Mohammad Nabi could be a differential choice for the game.

KFL vs DS  Fantasy Expert Advice

Considering the conditions and probable-XIs, a combination of 2-2-3-4 or 3-2-3-3 would be ideal for this fixture.

KFL vs DS Fantasy Team for Head-to-Head/Small Leagues

Wicketkeepers: Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera
Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Agha Salman
All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Mohammad Nabi
Bowlers: Mustafizur Rahman, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Mohammad Hasnain

Captain: Ibrahim Zadran
Vice-captain: Angelo Mathews

KFL: 6 Players; DS: 5 Players

KFL vs DS Fantasy Team for Winner Takes All/ Grand Leagues

Wicketkeepers: Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Andre Fletcher
Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Mark Chapman
All-rounders: Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Mathews, Mohammad Nabi
Bowlers: Mustafizur Rahman, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Captain: Dinesh Chandimal
Vice-captain: Nuwan Thushara

KFL: 5 Players; DS: 6 Players

---

ALSO READ

Lanka Premier League 2024 To Introduce ‘Power Blast’; Here's All You Need To Know

---