How to Build a Winning Fantasy IPL Team

For anyone who has ever played fantasy cricket, you’ll know that learning how to build a winning fantasy IPL team is crucial.

While we like to pick our favourite players during the season, a winning IPL fantasy team is also about making clever decisions and selecting a balance of players that can help you succeed.

This guide will provide you with some helpful insights into how to build a winning IPL fantasy squad to hopefully increase your chances.

Understanding IPL Fantasy Team Format

Before we explain how to pick a squad with a fantasy app it’s important to know the basic rules and facts.

Deciding which players make the team

Fairly similar to how a genuine IPL team might be constructed, you’ll be given a fixed budget to use for selecting your real-life players. It’s sometimes possible to win money when entering certain contests on fantasy cricket websites.

The goal is to create a squad made up of players that will earn you points, with most sites sticking to rules such as a minimum of three bowlers, one wicketkeeper, and a mix of batters and all-rounders. Usually, it’s only allowed to select a maximum of seven players from one actual IPL team.

Types of Fantasy Contests

There are two major forms of fantasy contests.

Daily contests

This means you pick a new team for every match, which provides ultimate flexibility in terms of the lineup due to recent performances, injuries or absences, as well as pitch conditions.

Season contests

You’ll manage a team for the entire IPL season, with minor changes and transfers allowed during the campaign.

How the Scoring System Works

This is how you’ll earn points from the real-life players after creating your IPL fantasy team. It’s worth noting that points from your team captain earn double points and your vice-captain earns 1.5x points.

Batting points

Bowling points

Fielding points

Factors to Consider When Building A Fantasy IPL Team

There’s a lot to consider when making a fantasy squad, but these features are the most crucial to think about.

Recent player form

We enjoy picking our favourite players, don’t select purely on reputation. You mustn’t fall into the trap of selecting only famous players, but also those performing well lately. Check stats and recent matches to consider the player form.

Pitch reports

The cricket grounds will differ all over India during the IPL season. Therefore, it’s vital to check pitch reports and weather conditions to see if the match will favour batting or bowling. For example, pack your team with spin bowlers if a pitch often makes the ball turn a lot.

Balanced team

A combination of player types is never a bad idea. For instance, top-order batters often score major runs, while all-rounders earn points with bat and ball. Keepers will pick up a lot of catches and stumpings, and bowlers earn big points for taking wickets.

Choosing captains

As we explained before that captains and vice-captains earn bonus points, it’s important to pick these players wisely. Choose reputable players who are consistent and aren’t likely to miss matches due to injuries.

Common Sense Strategies for Fantasy IPL Teams

Avoid these common mistakes during an IPL fantasy season.

Analyse data and statistics

It’s fine to pick your favourite players and those from the IPL team you support, but recent performances and team statistics are important if you want to win your contest. If a star player isn’t performing well, then be ruthless and cut him from the team!

Use your budget wisely

While major IPL stars like Kohli or Bumrah often play well, they also cost a lot of your budget! Do your research and consider hidden gems who are on the rise but also affordable.

Use fantasy sports tools

Most fantasy sports websites come with their own tools to check player stats and recent games, so make use of these to ensure you’re knowledgeable about the game. The more you know, the better decisions you’ll make to track player progression with fantasy IPL apps.

Advanced IPL Fantasy Team-Building Strategies

Consider these pro tips for building your fantasy cricket squad.

Transfers

For a season-long contest, transfers are important to improve your squad. You only get so many transfers per season, so use them wisely when players are injured or not performing to their standards.

Mid-season Adjustments

There’s no need to hang onto your lineup all season if it’s not working well. Checking player stats and match reports will help you decide if you need to drop a player. As well, check if there’s a trending player performing well before they get too expensive.

Study Opposing Teams

If you’re playing daily fantasy and know that certain players struggle against spin bowlers, then create a team full of spinners to take advantage of this weakness.

Create a Match-up Strategy

Squads often play better or worse against certain opponents, so ensure that your IPL fantasy team reflects this. If fast bowlers play well on a on a pitch and often remove the top-order players quickly, then check which bowlers are available.

Underrated players

It’s not a bad idea to pick up star players, but underrated players are often cheaper and can deliver major points for your squad. Read up on who is trending and feel free to take a chance.

Fantasy IPL Team Summary

Building an IPL fantasy team should be enjoyable and not feel like a chore! Have fun picking the players, but if you’re intent on winning, then be sure to check player stats, look at upcoming matchups, and consider who is the best option for your captain and vice-captain roles.

With a good strategy, you’ll hopefully enjoy the fantasy aspect and win big prizes!

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