1) Mindset: Play Like a Coach
Indian cricket fans are full of gyaan, but fantasy needs structure. Think like a coach: what's the plan to win this match on this pitch with these players? Forget brand value; chase impact roles. If your logic is clear, even a bold pick feels calm.
Pro tip: Write your reason in one line for each pick. If you can't, skip the pick.
2) Pre‑Match Research: 20‑Minute Routine
- Team news (5 min): Probable XIs, injuries, role hints from captains/coaches.
- Venue log (5 min): Avg first‑innings score, boundaries size, dew trend, spin vs pace.
- Match‑ups (5 min): Left‑arm pace vs RHB top‑order? Wrist‑spin vs anchors?
- Form sanity check (5 min): Recent role stability > raw numbers. A promoted No.6 to No.4 matters more than one random fifty.
3) Pitch, Venue & Toss: What Actually Changes
We love overreacting to "flat road" vs "rank turner" labels. Reality is subtler. Use a small matrix:
| Condition | Lean Towards | Avoid/De‑prioritise |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh grass + new ball zip | New‑ball pacers, anchor batters | One‑dimensional sloggers early |
| Dry + abrasions | Wrist‑spin, bowlers with cutters | Medium pacers without variations |
| Dew likely (night) | Chasing batters, death bowlers with yorkers | Finger‑spin first innings |
| Small boundaries | Finishers, powerplay hitters | Containment‑only bowlers |
Toss rule of thumb: If chasing on a dewy night, bump up openers/finishers and be selective with first‑innings finger‑spin.
4) Role‑Based Selection Framework
Pick roles, not names. Then fill names that fit the roles.
- Openers: Ball‑access = opportunity. Good on truer surfaces.
- Anchor (No.3/4): Safer points on tricky surfaces; great captaincy on slow decks.
- Finisher (No.5/6): High variance. Better for VC or differential when target is chaseable.
- All‑rounders: Fantasy gold. But prefer those guaranteed at least 2–3 overs or a promoted batting slot.
- New‑ball + Death pacers: Wicket‑taking windows = powerplay + death. Middle‑overs only is risky unless pitch helps.
- Wrist‑spinners: Ceiling on dry/tacky surfaces; look for captain's trust at 16–18th over.
5) Captaincy & VC: Safe vs. Upside
| Scenario | Captain (safer ceiling) | VC (calculated upside) |
|---|---|---|
| Two‑paced pitch | Anchor or bowling all‑rounder | Death pacer with yorkers |
| Flat belter, small boundaries | Reliable opener/all‑rounder | Finisher with high SR |
| Dew expected while chasing | Top‑order batter from chasing side | Wrist‑spinner if bowling second (only if grip holds) |
| Uncertain XIs | Stable role player | Explosive punt who benefits from any promotion |
6) Team Combination & Balance
- Start 3‑3 between teams, then tilt after toss if needed.
- Cover phases: powerplay wickets, middle‑overs control, death‑overs strike; powerplay scoring + finishing.
- Don't double up two players fighting for the same role points (e.g., two No.6 hitters) unless conditions demand a shoot‑out.
- One differential (max two) with clear logic; rest should be solid.
7) Risk Management (Desi Reality Check)
Easy trap: Chasing viral "best team" screenshots. Template teams erode your edge.
- Have a rule: No last‑minute frenzy. Lock your base picks, tweak only for toss/injury.
- Diversify formats: Head‑to‑head rewards clean logic; large pools need more calculated variance.
- Process > outcome: A good pick can fail on the day. Stick to your method; refine slowly.
8) Common Mistakes We All Make
- Star bias: Ignoring a form opener from Team B because the big name from Team A exists.
- Ignoring role changes: A demoted finisher is almost unplayable on slow tracks.
- Over‑stacking spinners on dewy nights: We've all done it. Don't.
- Chasing yesterday's points: Fresh match, fresh logic. Conditions change daily in India.
9) Advanced Moves: Differentials & Drafting
Differentials (owned by fewer people)
- Pick a wrist‑spinner against a boundary‑short side if he bowls into the bigger side—catches in deep pile up.
- Choose a batting all‑rounder promoted to No.4 for a left‑right balance; even 25(18) + 2 overs is huge.
Drafting (live pick‑by‑pick formats)
- First two rounds: lock roles, not names (one top‑order, one strike bowler).
- Middle rounds: block your opponent's obvious combo (e.g., take keeper‑opener they wanted).
- Last rounds: secure flexibility—player who can bat and bowl trumps a one‑skill punt.
10) Printable Checklist
- Venue nature (flat/two‑paced), boundary sizes, dew odds
- Powerplay bowlers from both sides noted?
- Death overs mapped (16–20)?
- Anchor candidate on tough pitch?
- Captain = safer ceiling, VC = planned upside
- One differential with role‑based logic
- Re‑check after toss for XI and role shifts
That's my desi, no‑nonsense playbook. Keep it simple, stay role‑first, and trust your read of Indian conditions. If you'd like, pair this with a head‑to‑head format to truly test your logic one‑on‑one.
