Captain logic, role clarity, differential math.
A repeatable framework for building a fantasy XI. Captain logic for the high-multiplier pick, vice-captain logic for the ceiling hedge, differential math for the contest-winning risk.
The three frameworks
Run these three checks in order before you lock a team.
Captain logic
Top-order batting plus four-over bowling, or stable access to high-volume scoring chances. Anything less is a coin flip. Captaincy multiplies both opportunity and uncertainty.
Vice-captain hedge
The vice-captain should protect the ceiling case. Pick a player whose failure does not overlap with the captain’s. Two-way exposure collapses the hedge.
Differential math
A differential is only a differential when your contest’s ownership is over 30 percent. Below that threshold, it is just an unpopular pick with no contrarian edge.
Role clarity primer
The role map is the single strongest signal in fantasy selection. Read it before you read the name.
Top-order opener
Four-over powerplay field restricts bowling options. Openers who bat through the powerplay score boundary bonuses. Risk: collapse under early swing.
Open the ledgerRoleMiddle-order anchor
ODI and Test formats reward anchors. Middle-order batters who bat through the innings score run-rate bonuses and stabilise collapses.
Open the ledgerRoleDeath-overs finisher
Six-hitting at the back end. T20 format only. Risk: low four-over workloads on dry surfaces.
Open the ledgerRolePowerplay wicket-taker
New-ball bowlers with shape score wicket bonuses and dot-ball premiums. Format-dependent — Test formats multiply the value.
Open the ledgerRoleMiddle-overs controller
Spinners who bowl the seventh through fifteenth overs hold economy bonuses. Format-dependent.
Open the ledgerRoleAll-rounder
Two clear paths to points. Captaincy magnifies the multi-role. Risk: dual-format workload on the body.
Open the ledgerSalary cap math
A worked example of the cap on a 100-credit budget.
| Slot | Player | Role | Credits | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain (2x) | R. Sharma | Opener · RHB | 11.0 | Top-order batting plus death-overs finishing; ceiling + floor |
| Vice-captain (1.5x) | K. Ahmed | Spinner · SLA | 9.0 | Middle-overs control; hedge against top-order collapse |
| WK-Batter | R. Pant | WK · LHB | 9.5 | Bonus catch points plus middle-order batting |
| Batter | S. Iyer | No. 4 · LHB | 10.5 | Anchor role with boundary bonus upside |
| Batter | Y. Dayal | Pacer · RHF | 8.5 | Powerplay wicket-taker with batting depth |
| All-rounder | H. Pandya | All-rounder · RHM | 10.0 | Two clear paths to points |
| All-rounder | A. Patel | All-rounder · SLA | 9.0 | Economy bonus plus lower-order batting |
| Bowler | J. Bumrah | Pacer · RHF | 11.0 | Death-overs wicket-taker |
| Bowler | R. Khan | Spinner · LB | 8.0 | Powerplay wrist-spin |
| Bowler | M. Shami | Pacer · RHF | 9.5 | New-ball shape |
| Batter | S. Samson | WK-Batter · RHB | 8.0 | Differential: ownership under 25% |
| Total credits used | 100.0 | |||
Lock the XI after the toss.
Open the players hub for the role-by-role ledger, or jump to predictions for tonight’s worked read.