With every Super 12 team now at least two matches into their campaign, we take a look at the key performers across the groups.
STANDINGS | PLAY DREAM 11 FANTASY | VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
From Jos Buttler fireworks to spellbinding efforts with the ball, the T20 World Cup has showcased some of the best individual talent in our game. To add to the drama, Dream11 fantasy teams have seen shuffling, chopping and changing, as players around the world try to find the perfect line-up.
As we head to the latter stages of the Super 12s, we highlight the key players across all the teams, and pinpoint future selections as you make your final dash to Dream11 supremacy.
GROUP 1
ENGLAND
First – Six points – three matches – NRR of 3.948
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Tymal Mills – 215
Jos Buttler – 204
Adil Rashid – 189
England’s T20 World Cup campaign has been close to flawless, with a number of key players putting their hands up with strong performances. As the No.1 side on the MRF Tyres ICC T20I team rankings, they came in as one of the favourites as well, boasting a reputation as the most dangerous and consistent team in the format.
While sharing the load across their side, fireworks from the likes of Jos Buttler and guile from Adil Rashid have made headlines, though it is Tymal Mills’ seven wickets at a strike rate of 10.2 that pushes him to the top of England’s numbers.
Given his output thus far, Mills’ cheaper price to start the tournament over other bowlers means owners will be over the moon.
England’s top order form looks ominous, and taking on Sri Lanka, could well continue the trend.
SOUTH AFRICA
Second – Four points – three games – NRR of 0.210
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Aiden Markram – 191
Anrich Nortje – 189
Dwaine Pretorius – 173
While Anrich Nortje is living up to the hype, Dwaine Pretorius has enjoyed a fine campaign thus far for South Africa, vindicating the small ownership percentage that have kept the faith. Taking six wickets at an economy of 6.92, the all-rounder has been a golden arm for Temba Bavuma, taking a wicket every 8.6 deliveries.
Finding a new spot in the middle order, Aiden Markram has performed admirably, compiling 191 points thus far. Chiming in with his off-spin, it’s with the bat that Markram is more prolific, capped by a half-century in a successful chase against the West Indies.
AUSTRALIA
Third – Four points – three matches – NRR of -0.627
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Adam Zampa – 158
Mitchell Starc – 132
David Warner – 125
It’s been no surprise to most where Australia’s fantasy output has come from: a new-ball fast bowler with pace and swing, an experienced head at the top of the order, and the spin of Adam Zampa in favourable conditions.
Making a fifty against Sri Lanka, Warner has found his mojo again, and will pick up some bonus points as one of the more reliable fielders in Aaron Finch’s team. Zampa leads Australia’s charge in terms of wickets taken (five), doing so at an economy of 6.36.
SRI LANKA
Fourth – Two points – three matches – NRR of -0.350
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Charith Asalanka – 191
Wanindu Hasaranga – 181
Pathum Nissanka – 147
Dominant in the First Round, Sri Lankan players dominate the overall points rankings, though the same form has been difficult to emulate in the Super 12 phase. Winning just one of three matches, Sri Lanka find themselves perilously close to elimination, despite key individual performances.
Taking a hat-trick against South Africa, Wanindu Hasaranga continues to steal the show, though Charith Asalanka has provided fantasy upside, in what has been a breakout tournament.
Scoring 142 runs at an average of 142 and a strike rate of 142, Asalanka has been arguably the find of the tournament, repaying the faith in him from captain Dasun Shanaka and coach Mickey Arthur. Those who have put trust in Asalanka from a fantasy perspective have been rewarded, and should continue in the same vein for the rest of the campaign.
Pathum Nissanka’s storyline is similar. Making 72 in Sharjah against South Africa, the opener found the form shown in a First Round 61 against Ireland.
WEST INDIES
Fifth – Two points – three games – NRR of -1.598
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Akeal Hosein – 140
Evin Lewis – 116
Nicholas Pooran – 86
It’s been tough going for the defending champions, with just the one victory over Bangladesh to show for their campaign thus far. Blown away for 55 against England in their opener and slumping to a six-wicket defeat, opportunities were scarce on the bowling side for fantasy points, with Akeal Hosein one of few players to make an impact. Taking four wickets at an economy of 6.25 thus far, the left-arm spinner was unlikely to be on fantasy players’ radars early in the tournament, considering he was initially named as a reserve.
Evin Lewis (116 points) has shown the most with the bat for the West Indies, and opening the batting means he has the opportunity to face a large chunk of opposition bowling. Nicholas Pooran (86 points) round out the Windies top three.
There has to be improvement around the corner, and the lack of West Indies player ownership overall might tempt fantasy players looking for a spark.
BANGLADESH
Sixth – zero points – three matches – NRR of -1.069
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Mushfiqur Rahim – 139
Mohammad Naim – 136
Nasum Ahmed – 129
Losing Shakib Al Hasan to injury, several players need to step up in the all-rounder’s absence, even if a semi-final spot is almost certainly out of reach. For astute fantasy players though, this could bring opportunity, with point-of-difference players aplenty.
Despite this, picking Bangladesh batters is rife with risk. Outside of Mushfiqur Rahim (139 points), consistency has been hard to come by, with Mohammad Naim (136 points) compiling two half-centuries across the competition, but only making 148 runs in total.
On the bowling side, things are a little more reliable. Mustafizur Rahman (eight competition wickets) should provide fantasy opportunity, alongside Mahedi Hasan.
GROUP 2
PAKISTAN
First – Six points – Three games – NRR of 0.638
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Haris Rauf – 208
Babar Azam – 205
Mohammad Rizwan – 188
Pakistan have answered every question on their T20 World Cup journey thus far, with three wins to begin the campaign.
Strong across both facets, batting points have been dominated by the top order, with Babar Azam’s opening partnership with Mohammad Rizwan against India standing out.
Unsurprisingly, the pair feature in Pakistan’s top three for fantasy points for the the tournament, though the work of Haris Rauf (six wickets and two catches) has rocketed him to the top of Pakistan’s list. His 4/22 against New Zealand meant he delivered in spades for his fantasy owners, and his mix of pace and accuracy bodes well for future success.
AFGHANISTAN
Second – Four points – three games – NRR of 3.097
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Rashid Khan – 257
Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 224
Mohammad Nabi – 159
Afghanistan’s spin-bowling qualities grabbed all the headlines in their rout of Scotland, and it is the constant threat of Rashid Khan and others that makes them reliable fantasy options.
Even if Rashid (seven wickets at seven) fails to pick up scalps in his four-over allotment, the respect he demands from batting opposition leads to a low economy (currently 4.74 at the tournament) and therefore a high fantasy floor. Either through wickets or through his economy, Rashid is a must-have.
Injury clouds hang over Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is capable of providing the same output. Mohammad Nabi (159 points) poses a threat with both ball and bat, and should be a guaranteed start in nearly all of his matches.
NEW ZEALAND
Third – Two points – two games – NRR of 0.765
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Ish Sodhi – 134
Trent Boult – 132
Daryl Mitchell – 85
Finding their feet in a win over India, New Zealand’s schedule is favourable for fantasy players, having also played Pakistan first up.
While Ish Sodhi (134) is a logical selection based on conditions, the leg-spinner has found form at the right time and should continue to collect points on a consistent basis.
Daryl Mitchell was a cheaper option for players heading into the tournament, and his role at the top of the Black Caps order makes him a solid choice, a point accentuated by his starts with the bat. Making 49 (35) against an Indian attack who could make a case for the best bowling group at the tournament, Mitchell also compiled 27 (20) against Pakistan, and should feel confident heading into the rest of New Zealand’s Super 12 fixtures.
NAMIBIA
Fourth – Two points – Two games – NRR of -1.287
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Ruben Trumpelmann – 173
JJ Smit – 112
David Wiese – 103
While a loss to Afghanistan provided Namibia their first Super 12 blemish, there are still multiple fantasy player options in the team, most notably through the consistency of Ruben Trumpelmann.
With a mix of speed and movement in the air, Trumpelmann will likely bowl his full four-over allotment, asking questions of sides who have already shown a weakness against left-arm swing bowling.
JJ Smit (112 points in the Super 12 stage) and David Wiese (103) play a pivotal part on both sides for Gerhard Erasmus side, and between both disciplines, should compile points.
INDIA
Fifth – Zero points – two games – NRR of -1.609
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Virat Kohli – 85
Rishabh Pant – 69
Jasprit Bumrah – 64
India may be off to a rocky start, though the “buy low, sell high” tactic may just be worth it for their final three matches, as they strive to claw back in Group 2.
Facing Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia in their final three fixtures, an uptick in form should follow, with skipper Virat Kohli tipped to lead the way. Making a half-century against the fearsome bowling attack of Pakistan, the runs should continue, even if the side fails to click into gear.
Rishabh Pant (69 points) provides a unique batting upside for someone in the keeping role, and is almost a guaranteed start, while Jasprit Bumrah is key in both Powerplay and death over situations. Cleaning up the tail and bowling in the final overs should provide fantasy insurance.
Also keep an eye out for Rohit Sharma’s price, with the veteran looking to turn his form around.
SCOTLAND
Sixth – Zero points – Two games – NRR of -3.562
Top three Super 12 Dream11 players
Michael Leask – 126
Safyaan Sharif – 88
Mark Watt – 86
Despite a slow start in their Super 12 group, there are still diamonds in the Scottish rough from a fantasy perspective, where consistency on the bowling side is telling through tournament figures.
Mark Watt has claimed a wicket and gone for less than a run a ball in every match of the tournament, and no Scottish bowler has leaked more than eight runs an over across their five matches. Josh Davey has nine wickets across his side’s five matches, though it’s Safyaan Sharif who has proved the most effective of the quick bowlers (88 points).
Michael Leask (126 points) provides an all-round option, and should bowl a chunk of overs with his off-spin in favourable conditions. With a batting strike rate of 139.47 in spite of batting outside the Powerplay, a quickfire 30 could jumpstart your team.
(Source and courtesy: https://www.t20worldcup.com/)