Cricket is one of the most-loved sports globally. Also known as the “Gentleman’s Game”, the sport has billions of fans who religiously follow every major cricket event.
According to the ICC, the first international cricket match was played between the USA and Canada in New York. Currently, numerous domestic and international tournaments are held to keep fans entertained throughout the year. Thanks to its popularity, cricket holds the second position in the most-viewed sports list, after football.
Avid cricket fans also like to indulge in fantasy cricket. Cricket enthusiasts play the strategy-based online game to create a virtual team consisting of their preferred players and predict the outcomes of real-world matches. Playing fantasy cricket games is an excellent way for cricket fans to test their game knowledge. Players can also implement useful fantasy cricket tips and tricks to have a better chance of winning in fantasy cricket games. For instance, a sure-shot way for players to have the upper hand in any fantasy cricket game is by creating a top-tier team. Here are some of the most valuable tips following which fantasy cricket enthusiasts can create the best team in any game:
Assess the Form of Players
The foremost step that a fantasy player should take while creating a team is carefully assessing every game-related aspect of every player. The first factor in assessing should be the player’s performance. If a player has shown excellent and consistent performance in previous matches, he could probably be a valuable addition to the team.
However, it would be better to skip them if they have not been playing up to the mark since the past few games. A player’s recent performance is deemed more important than his overall statistics. Recruiting in-form players and leaving the rest to fate is primarily successful in most cases. To further refine the assessment process, fantasy players should also consider other aspects of the players they are considering adding to their team, such as coordination, on-field body language, etc.
Analyze Match-Day’s Weather and Pitch Conditions
Two crucial factors that most fantasy cricket players do not consider while creating their teams are the weather and pitch conditions on the day of the match. Both the factors are interrelated. For instance, if the sky is clear and the sun is shining, it favors the batting side to put up a solid score on the board. Similarly, if there is an overcast condition, bowlers will have a significant advantage.
Coming to pitch conditions, if the pitch is dry, it will be more advantageous to have spinners rather than pacers. On the other hand, if the pitch features even bounce, having hard-hitting batsmen on the team will provide the player with the upper hand. Assessing the weather and pitch conditions and making decisions based on them can be game-changing for fantasy players.
Therefore, fantasy players should carefully study the conditions mentioned above and form their playing XI.
Maintain Balance in the Team
While creating a team, fantasy players should ensure that their team has the perfect mix of talent and experience. Every once in a while, a new player rises to fame by showcasing astounding performance on the field. On the other hand, there are experienced individuals who have managed to amass a respectable reputation for themselves by showcasing mesmerizing performances over the years.
While building their teams, fantasy players should add both types of players to maintain the equilibrium. It could be beneficial for the team in numerous ways. For example, if any new up-and-coming player fails to perform, the gap might get filled by an experienced team member or vice versa. Hence, players should not deviate more toward top-performing individuals or big names with immense experience and maintain balance.
Pick the Right Set of Batsmen According to the Game’s Format
The chances of winning a fantasy cricket game also depend severely on the team’s composition. For instance, if the match features fewer overs (T20s), fantasy players should pick more aggressive batsmen for their team since the latter can put up runs quickly on the scoreboard. On the other hand, if the game is an ODI, fantasy players should consider selecting more middle-order batsmen who can consistently put up runs on the board.
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 the game by a considerable margin or make them lose it terribly.
One of the best ways to determine which player is the best fit for the authoritative roles 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.
Every player comprising a fantasy team plays a vital role in the outcome of any game. Hence, fantasy players should do a deep dive into each of the potential players’ game history and 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 or not, the tips mentioned above can significantly help a fantasy player increase their chances of winning any game.
