To build a match-winning fantasy cricket team, you need to pick top-order batsmen who get you more fantasy points. Top order batmen means the top 3 players, openers + no. 3 batsmen, who face the first ball of the game, who stay on the crease for a long time. More time to score runs, more fantasy points you will get. 

In this blog, we help you to know how you can pick top-order batsmen for fantasy cricket by showing the details, advantages, and disadvantages of the fantasy cricket top-order strategy. Get fantasy predictions for free to help you select the top order batsmen for fantasy cricket that maximize your fantasy points

Role Of Top-Order Batsmen In Fantasy Cricket Team

The role of top-order batsmen is like openers or no.3-4 batsmen. They are the batsmen who face the main bowlers; they have taken more time on the crease. Given the start to their team. 

In fantasy cricket, the role of top order batsmen, they get more fantasy cricket points by they more runs, more time they stay at the crease. Every run they score, you will get 1 point. Bonus points are also earned as opening hitters have a greater chance of hitting those game-changing half-centuries or hundreds.

Advantages Of Choosing Top-Order Batmen

• Consistency: 

Top-order hitters are excellent at minimizing risks while maximizing points, which is the main goal of fantasy cricket. They are typically trusted to face the new ball and lengthen the innings because they are the team's best hitters. Stable, consistent performances are a natural result of this degree of responsibility.

For example, Virat Kohli, who is the most consistent top-order batsman, you can select him in any format, T20, ODI, or test. 

• Maximizing Opportunities to Score:

Top-order batters have more chances to score since they spend a longer time at the crease. The fielding constraints allow them to hit fast boundaries, and the early powerplay restrictions are a bonus. For example, Rohit Sharma and other players can take advantage of these early overs to increase their fantasy point totals by scoring runs, boundaries, and bonus points.

• Advantage in Rain-Reduced Matches:

In matches that are shortened or impacted by weather, top-order batsmen are also useful. The top order is likely to take more hits when the number of overs is decreased, which will increase their chances of scoring. Players like Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill are great choices for erratic weather situations because they are frequently the crucial players who can guide your side to victory in these situations.

Disadvantages Of Choosing Top-Order Batmen

• Overdependence:

The dependence on high-scoring games is one of the main disadvantages of focusing just on top-order batters. Top-order batsmen may have trouble in low-scoring games, whether because of difficult pitch conditions or outstanding bowling attacks. Low-scoring games typically benefit bowlers over batters because batters' fantasy points correlate closely with runs scored, while wickets' points are significantly higher.

• Early Wickets:

Top-order batsmen are more likely to be dismissed early because they face the new ball, particularly openers and No. 3 players. When bowlers are helped by the pitch, top-order players are more likely to be removed early, which means they will contribute little to no points to your fantasy total. Middle-order hitters, on the other hand, typically enter the game after the ball has softened, which allows them more time to become comfortable and score runs without having to deal with the bowlers' pressure. 

• Missed Opportunities of Points from All-Rounders:

The lost chance for extra points from all-rounders is another drawback of choosing only top-order batsmen. All-rounders give up points in a variety of ways, including wickets, catches, and even run-outs, whereas top-order hitters are excellent at scoring runs.

• Lower Strike Rates in Some Formats:

It is possible that top-order batsmen, especially those ranked No. 3 or No. 4, do not necessarily have the best strike rates, especially in T20 formats. This is because the batting is usually more aggressive during the powerplay and death overs, which they miss out on.

Key Factors In Choosing Top-Order Batmen

• Opposition’s Bowling Attack:

You must first understand your opponent, which is the bowling attack! You should choose batters who can withstand fast bowlers if the opponent has a strong pace attack that benefits in swinging situations. However, it might be prudent to rely on lower-order hitters who are adept at handling spin if they are more affected by it. To see how particular players have performed against various bowler types, always review the historical data.

• Team Balanced:

It can be easy to rely too much on top-order batters, but a balanced squad with a mix of middle and lower-order performers can offer greater depth and flexibility. Middle-order hitters are particularly useful since they frequently enter the game at crucial times to either speed up scoring or settle the innings.

For Example, take the 2022 T20 World Cup, where Sam Billings filled in at crucial moments when England's first team struggled.

• Venue and Pitch Conditions:

The selection of hitters can be greatly affected by the pitch and venue conditions. For example, lower-order hitters who are skilled against spin could be more useful if the pitch is dry and spin-friendly. However, top-order batsmen who feel at ease facing the new ball should be given preference if the surface favors quick bowlers. 

Also Read: How Pitch Report helps you to maximize your fantasy cricket points?

Tip And Strategies To Choose Top Order Batmen, Maximize Your Fantasy Points

• Check Recent Form: 

While selecting top-order batsmen, always check their recent form, and always pick regular players. Check their last 5 matches' performance. For the batters, focus on runs, average, strike rate, and the opponent bowlers. Pick more regular and consistent batmen who help you get more fantasy points. 

• Analyze Pitch & Venue Conditions:

Pitch condition also plays an important role and helps you to select the best top-order batsmen for the fantasy team. In a batting-friendly or flat pitch as Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the top-order batsmen score more runs. Always choose the top-order batsmen on a batting-friendly pitch or venue. A batting pitch is mean flat pitch; it is friendly for batters to score more runs. 

• Check Opponent's Bowling Attack:

Before you pick your top order batsmen, you must check the opponent bowlers or match up compare their performance against them. Top order batsmen face more balls when they start the inning, which means top bowlers of the opponent they face. So, match up the opponent's main batters, find strengths and weaknesses like dismissals, average, strike rate, etc.

For Example 

Virat Kohli T20 State Matchup(Last 5 years)

*In above table shows that Virat Kohli states in T20, he is good against Sunil Narine with a 31.8 average, and he is most dismissed against Sandee Sharma 7. He struggles to take runs against Sandeep Sharma with just a 14.8 average. He loves to play against Jasprit Bumrah with 140 runs at a strike rate of 147. 

• Match Format Matters:

For ODI: 

• Players who construct lengthy innings, such as Shubman Gill and Babar Azam, are preferred anchor-style batters. 

• Select batters who can turn 30s into scores of 70 or higher: In ODIs, the conversion rate is more crucial. 

• Adjust to the bowling of the opposition: The top order can dominate for 35–40 overs against weaker assaults. 

• Examine the pitch reports: On dry tracks, teams who bat first typically have greater advantages. 

• Set batters with C/VC tags: Big fantasy points are equal to big hundreds. Technically proficient players with a strike rate of 85+ and a steady 50+ score are the ideal type.

For T20:

• Make aggressive openers a priority by selecting players who have a high powerplay strike rate, such as Travis Head, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jos Buttler. 

• Analyze recent performance and establish partnerships: The last five innings must be consistent. 

• Steer clear of exceptional new-ball attacks: Top-order risk rises when facing swing bowlers like Boult or Bumrah. 

• Use strike rate bonuses: Aim for SR > 130 because apps such as Dream11 encourage quicker scoring. 

• Explosive hitters who score fast 30s or 50s in the first 6–10 overs are the ideal type.

For Test:

• Avoid showy openers who lack defensive skill; rather, look for temperament. 

• Select top-order players (like as Rohit Sharma in India and Kane Williamson) who do well on average in swinging or seaming conditions.

• Put home advantage first since local top-order hitters are more suited to the environment.

• Pay attention to weather forecasts: For openers, cloudy means danger; middle-order might be safer.

• Invest in players with a century-long history: 100s translate into huge fantasy profits.

• The ideal batsman is patient, technically sound, and able to bat for extended periods.