Fantasy cricket guide for beginners
In fantasy cricket you pick a team of real players before a match. Your players earn points for what they do in that match. The better they play, the more points you get.
The key points
- Pick players who will actually play and bat or bowl a lot.
- Your captain choice matters more than any other pick.
- Check the pitch, the weather and the confirmed playing eleven before the deadline.
How points usually work
Every app has its own points table, so always read it first. Most tables follow a similar pattern.
- Batting: points per run, bonuses for boundaries, fifties and centuries, and a penalty for a duck.
- Bowling: big points per wicket, bonuses for multi-wicket hauls and maidens, and sometimes for economy.
- Fielding: points for catches, stumpings and run outs.
- Captain and vice-captain: many apps multiply their points, often by 2 and 1.5.
Build a balanced team
- Top-order batters face the most balls, so they score more often.
- All-rounders earn points two ways and are usually the safest picks.
- Wicket-taking bowlers matter because one wicket often beats twenty runs.
- Wicketkeepers who bat in the top order are extra valuable.
Choosing your captain
Pick a player with the most ways to score, such as an opening batter who also bowls, or a strike bowler on a helpful pitch. Avoid players who might not get a chance to bat or bowl.
Reading the conditions
- Flat pitch, short boundaries: favour batters and hitters.
- Green or cloudy conditions: favour seam and swing bowlers.
- Dry, cracked pitch: favour spinners.
- Dew in night games: often helps the team batting second.
Useful tools
Our stats calculator helps you compare players by strike rate and economy. Read powerplay rules to see which phase each bowler is likely to bowl.
Small leagues and big leagues
- Small leagues, with a few players, reward a safe team. Pick in-form players most people will choose.
- Big leagues, with thousands of players, reward being different. You need one or two smart picks few others have.
Differential picks
A differential is a player few people pick. If they do well, you gain on almost everyone. Good differentials are often lower-order hitters who might bat up the order, or bowlers suited to that pitch.
Common mistakes
- Picking players who are not in the confirmed playing eleven.
- Choosing too many batters from the same team and too few bowlers.
- Ignoring the batting order. A batter at number 7 may face very few balls.
- Making a big name captain because of reputation rather than current form and conditions.
- Forgetting to update your team after the toss.
Pre-deadline checklist
- Check the confirmed playing elevens after the toss.
- Look at the weather and any chance of a shortened match.
- Read the pitch report and the average first-innings score at the ground.
- Check each player's recent form and role in the batting order.
- Confirm your captain and vice-captain picks.
- Make sure your team fits the credit limit and player rules.
Frequently asked questions
Who should I make captain in fantasy cricket?
Choose a player likely to be involved all match, such as an all-rounder or a top-order batter in good form.
When is the playing eleven announced?
Teams usually confirm their eleven at the toss, about 30 minutes before the start. Update your team after the toss if your app allows it.
Are all-rounders worth picking in fantasy cricket?
Usually, yes. They earn points from both batting and bowling, which makes them lower risk.
Should I pick players from the team batting first or second?
It depends on conditions. On pitches that slow down, bowlers from the team bowling second often do well. With heavy dew, batters chasing tend to do better.