How to Pick a Fantasy XI Team?

When it comes to popular sports forms that are globally renowned, cricket is one of the first names that pops up in the mind of players. 

The craze for cricket goes beyond merely watching matches and tournaments on screens. Hardcore fans of the sports love participating or indulging in more immersive cricket-related activities such as playing fantasy cricket. Fantasy cricket games allow players to create their team of players and predict the outcomes of real-life matches. Using a fantasy gaming app, individuals can predict and win money without hassle. 

One of the most crucial aspects of fantasy cricket is creating the right team. This article, through effective tips, will shed light on how fantasy players can pick the best players and create the perfect fantasy XI team. Let us get started:

• Assess the Recent Form of Players

The foremost step every fantasy player should take before creating a fantasy XI team is carefully assessing the game-related aspects of every player available for selection. For instance, the fantasy player should start assessing players’ performance. 

If a player has shown excellent and consistent performance in their previous matches, chances are that they would be a valuable addition to the roster. On the other hand, it would be better to skip a player if they have not been performing up to the mark in the past few games. Any player’s recent performance is deemed more crucial than his overall statistics. 

Opting for in-form players and leaving the rest to fate is mostly successful. To further refine the assessment procedure, fantasy players should also consider other aspects of players they are considering adding to the team, such as their coordination, on-field body language, etc. 

• Analyze External Factors

Two crucial factors most fantasy players do not consider when creating a fantasy XI team are the weather and pitch conditions on the day of the match. Both important factors are interrelated. For example, if the sky is clear and the sun is shining, it favors the batting side, i.e., chances are that they will score many runs. Similarly, bowlers will have the upper hand if there is an overcast condition.

Coming to pitch conditions, if the pitch is dry and dusty, it will be more advantageous to spinners rather than pacers. On the other hand, if it is better suited for even bounce, having hard-hitting batsmen on the team will provide players the upper hand. Hence, every fantasy player should create a team based on the two important external factors. 

• Appoint the Right Players As the Captain and Vice-Captain of the Team

Two players who determine the fantasy player’s fate in a game are the team’s captain and vice-captain. This is primarily because the team’s captain and vice-captain can garner more points than other players. Choosing the right players as the captain and vice-captain can make a fantasy player win games by a considerable margin or lose them terribly. 

One of the best ways to determine which player is the best fit for the authoritative role is by checking the recent performance of every squad member and choosing the right ones based on the data. Most fantasy players ignore this crucial factor, which often results in their loss. Hence, every fantasy player should carefully research and select the players for the leadership roles. 

• Choose Batsmen Best Suited to the Match’s Format

When picking out players to create a fantasy XI team to win games, it is crucial for fantasy players to ensure that their team’s composition is perfect. For instance, if a match features fewer overs (T20s), fantasy players should consider selecting aggressive batsmen with what it takes to hit big shots and score more runs. 

In case of matches that feature more overs, like ODIs, it would be best if players opt for more balanced batsmen who can stay consistently on the crease and put up runs on the board steadily. Any fantasy player who wishes to ensure creating the best team should seriously pick players, especially batsmen according to the match’s format. 

• Maintain Balance in the Team 

When creating a fantasy XI team, individuals should ensure that their team has the perfect mix of talent and experience. Every once in a while, a new young player rises to fame in the cricket world by showcasing astounding on-field performance consistently. On the other hand, there are experienced players who have managed to create a rapport for themselves by performing consistently for years. 

When picking players, fantasy players should add both types of players to maintain the equilibrium. Doing so could prove to be beneficial to both the team and the fantasy player in multiple ways. For instance, if the youngster fails to perform in a major match, the gap might get filled by an experienced team member or vice versa. Hence, when picking out players to create the perfect fantasy XI team, individuals should go for a mix of talent and experience. 

Final Thoughts

Also Read: SA20, 2023 - Squads & Schedule

Every player comprising a fantasy team plays a vital role in the outcome of any game. Hence, fantasy players should deeply dive into each potential player’s game history, assess their skills, performance, overall statistics, etc., and make a conscious decision regarding whether the player is a right fit for their fantasy team. Even though there is no sure-shot way of confirming whether a team will do well in a fantasy match, picking players as per the tips mentioned above can significantly help a fantasy player increase their chances of winning any game.