Here again, is my selection for an IPL "Team of the Week" based on the player's performance from last weekend up to the epic match we saw between RCB and KKR last night. As always, I try to pick a balanced 11 to cover all bases with both bat and ball. However, there are plenty of players out there who you could argue deserve a spot in this side so let me know in the comments if you feel differently

Shikhar Dhawan rolled back the years last night and transformed himself into the kind of dashing batsman that took the world by storm. It has seemed in the early games Delhi have played that he has tried to play a more conservative game and allow the youngsters around him to express themselves. However, he came out swinging his bat like a Saracen sword yesterday and carved out 97*. The big question is will he ever forgive Ingram for robbing him a chance of a first T20 100?

Having had a stellar IPL in 2018 the last 12 months have generally been a struggled for the gifted KL Rahul. He has lost his place in the Test side and is battling it out to get on the plane to England for the WC. Big weeks like this where he scored a century and a fifty will go a long way to securing his international future and also keep KXIP in the hunt for a top 4 finish. The fact that he can also keep wickets is a bonus for this side and potentially his selection chances.

I told you this kid was special and I also told you if KKR can get him up the order then he'd show what he can really do! 65 from 39 balls was the result of Shubman Gill being given the chance to open the batting. He's such a talented player and his technique is so easy on the eye - he makes everything he does with bat in hand look so easy. KKR now have a selection decision to make as Gill, Uthappa, Rana and Lynn all battle it out for spots in top 3

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I wrote a couple of blogs in the week highlighting the potential of the IPL to influence the selection and form of players going into the World and India will be happy that both openers in my team of the week along with Ambati Rayudu have returned to the runs. Having been reduced to 24-4 against RR his knock of 57 and a 95 run partnership with Dhoni was the catalyst for CSK eventually getting over the line and continuing their winning streak.

Speaking of returns to form how about Kieron Pollard? I can't remember the guy playing a match-winning innings for some time and then he comes along and plays 2 in the same week! 46 from 26 in a low scorer against SRH was crucial and he then followed that up with a brilliant 83 from 31 balls to hand MI victory over KXIP. He hit 10 maximums in that knock and all of them just looked like he was merely swatting away a fly such is the power of the man.

What is there left to say about the guy? The only player to have made it into my team of the week 3 times in a row, his red hot form just doesn't show any signs of abating. Dre Russell is panicking bowlers up and down the Indian sub-continent with his clean hitting and the fact that he has managed to maintain that form over a long period is a testament to the fact he is more than just muscle. He has the highest average, highest strike and has hit the most 6s in this year's tournament!

In many ways despite his success, Ravi Jadeja is something of an understated cricketer in comparison to some of his colleagues. However, it's difficult to find a game where he doesn't have a positive impact. Most of the good work he has done in the IPL is with his tight left-arm spin (he has the 3rd best economy in the tournament) but as he showed in the run chase against RR with an incredible 1 handed straight 6 off Ben Stokes that left him on the deck, he can bat a bit too!

In wicket taking terms, Jofra Archer (4 wickets) has had a relatively quiet time of it in the IPL but such a stat misleads how well he has bowled. Whether at the top, middle or end of an innings (economy of 6.5) Archer has delivered a combination of pace, variety and accuracy for RR. MS Dhoni can attest to how quick he is after getting pinned in the head by an Archer bouncer this week. Pace is something that England have missed in all cricket for a while. Is this the man to deliver it for us?

What an unbelievable debut from the 22-year-old West Indian quick, taking 6-12 and setting a new all-time record in the IPL. I guess you would have thought that it would be difficult to top that but Alzarri Joseph had a good go in his 2nd appearance, hitting the winning runs off the final ball as MI completed victory over KXIP. MI have now contributed a fast bowler to each of my teams of the week, underlying the strength they have in that particular department.

It's definitely been a bowlers week this week but one of the best amongst them has been Deepak Chahar who has returned 6 wickets and in doing so helped CSK to 3 straight victories. Beyond just his wicket-taking ability has been his deadly accuracy that has seen him return a league-high 84 dot balls, miles ahead of the chasing pack. CSK are once again showing that variety in a bowling attack is key to success and this guy has been a very effective weapon in Dhoni's arsenal.

The 4th CSK player in this week's team and arguably the purveyor of the best celebration around is Imran Tahir. Given the balls dominance over the bat this week, it's surprising to see that wrist-spin hasn't been a major factor and in fact, a few of the familiar names are struggling to have an impact this year. However, not this guy and as he has shown throughout the tournament he has a happy knack of picking up wickets in the middle overs to help check an opposition's charge.


Scorum IPL Fantasy League

I'll get my excuses in early and say that I haven't had time to amend my team for either the 3rd or 4th rounds of the competition so I've got some catching up to do points wise and hopefully the upcoming Easter holidays will provide me the chance to focus on the fantasy league a bit more.

Leading the pack this week are the impressive Danak Blasters selected by @birjudanak who is something of an expert in these fantasy leagues. Here's his team from round 3

Here are the top point scorers for round 3 of the Scorum IPL Fantasy League

692 .25 points Birjudanak - 20 SCR

613.5 points Lama10 - 10SCR

498.5 points Hassan - 5 SCR

457.75 points Talesfrmthecrypt

327.75 points Jpm8341

281.5 points Prus275

273 points Raamesa