Rilee Rossouw in action for Jaffna Kings during LPL 2024 (SLC)Rilee Rossouw in action for Jaffna Kings during LPL 2024 (SLC)

Table-toppers Galle Marvels will face second-placed Jaffna Kings in the first qualifier of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 season. The much-awaited contest will be staged at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the action will commence from 3:00 PM IST onwards on July 18.

Here at OneCricket, we take a look at Dream11 predictions, fantasy tips, pitch report, top player picks and the best-predicted fantasy XIs for the match.

GM vs JK Head-to-Head Stats

While Galle Marvels occupies the top spot on the LPL 2024 points table, Jaffna Kings holds a superior record in terms of head-to-head battles. Across their 12 meetings so far in LPL, the Jaffna Kings have secured seven wins in comparison to five defeats.

MatchesGalle Marvels wonJaffna Kings wonNo Result
12570

GM vs JK Pitch Report

The playing condition at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is known for providing considerable assistance to spinners. However, fast bowlers have also managed to extract much seam and bounce on the surface in the past few games played at the venue. The average first innings total at Colombo this LPL 2024 season after five completed fixtures has turned out to be 148. The captain winning the toss will likely opt to field first.

Fantasy value from the pitch report

  • Picking a spin-heavy team will be considered an ideal option for the fantasy XI. The presence of a quality new-ball speedster will also come in handy.
  • The batting order should consist of explosive openers as well as a number of quality middle-order batters who can anchor the innings in the middle overs.

GM vs JK Fantasy Cricket Tips

Galle Marvels Heavy Fantasy XI

  • Galle Marvels’ overseas stars Tim Seifert and Alex Hales have emerged as their most prolific batters this LPL 2024 season. Picking them in case of selecting a Galle Marvels-heavy team will be beneficial for earning effective points in the fantasy contests.
  • Among the bowlers, Isuru Udana has snapped 12 wickets from eight innings to lead Galle Marvels’ bowling charge this season.

Jaffna Kings Heavy Fantasy XI

  • Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka have not only emerged as the biggest standout performers for Jaffna Kings, but the two cricketers also lead the season’s overall run-scoring charts with 311 runs each.
  • Bowling remains a primary concern for the Jaffna Kings franchise this LPL 2024 season. However, Asitha Fernando’s wicket-taking abilities might come in handy for the fantasy contests.

GM vs JK Winner Prediction

Galle Marvels, having finished the LPL 2024 league stage at the top of the points table, will start out as favorites to defeat Jaffna Kings on July 18 to qualify for the finals.

GM vs JK Top Player Picks

Tim Seifert (GM)

  • LPL 2024 Stats: 291 runs in 8 matches
  • Tim Seifert has minted 291 runs from just eight innings at an average of 48.50 this season. The New Zealander finished the league stage as one of the top five highest run-getters.

Isuru Udana (GM)

  • LPL 2024 Stats: 126 runs and 12 wickets in 8 matches
  • Isuru Udana has blasted 126 runs from just four innings at an astonishing strike-rate of 163.63. With his primary bowling trade, the speedster seized 12 wickets from eight innings to finish the league stage set of fixtures as the fifth highest wicket-taker.

Avishka Fernando (JK)

  • LPL 2024 Stats: 311 runs in 8 matches
  • Jaffna Kings middle-order batter Avishka Fernando has cracked four half-centuries from just eight innings this season. His prolific run with the bat ensured the cricketer finished the league stage with 311 runs, the joint-highest among all batters in LPL 2024 so far.

Asitha Fernando (JK)

  • LPL 2024 Stats: 7 wickets in 7 matches
  • Fast bowler Asitha Fernando has snapped seven wickets from seven innings for the Jaffna Kings to emerge as their leading wicket-taker of the season.

GM vs JK Differential Picks

Alex Hales (GM)

  • LPL 2024 Stats: 284 runs in 8 matches
  • Englishman Alex Hales has plundered a couple of dazzling half-centuries as part of his 284-run tally for the Galle Marvels across eight LPL 2024 innings.

Pathum Nissanka (JK)

  • LPL 2024 Stats: 311 runs in 8 matches
  • Pathum Nissanka has tallied 311 runs after eight innings for the Jaffna Kings at an average of 38.87. The explosive batter plundered a ton and two half-centuries in the process.

GM vs JK Fantasy Expert Advice

Given the form of the players and the expected playing conditions, a 2-4-3-2 combination could be rewarding for the game.

GM vs JK Fantasy Team for Head-to-Head/Small Leagues

Roles
Players
WicketkeepersNiroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis
BattersTim Seifert, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Alex Hales
All-roundersIsuru Udana, Sahan Arachchige, Fabian Allen
BowlersMaheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan
CaptainIsuru Udana
Vice-captainAvishka Fernando

Galle Marvels: 6 players, Jaffna Kings: 5 players

GM vs JK Fantasy Team for Winner Takes All/ Grand Leagues 

RolesPlayers
WicketkeepersBhanuka Rajapaksa, Kusal Mendis
BattersAvishka Fernando, Rilee Rossouw, Alex Hales, Tim Seifert
All-roundersFabian Allen, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana
BowlersMaheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan
CaptainMaheesh Theekshana
Vice-captainKusal Mendis

Galle Marvels: 5 players, Jaffna Kings: 6 players