IPL 2020 is around the corner and after a lot of hullabaloo we finally have the postponed league set to take off in UAE. For fantasy players, the IPL is a gala time to put on their thinking hats, strategize and plan their squads and make some profits. While making changes on the go is pivotal as is bringing in key underrated players to win tough head to head fantasy battles, there are a few reliable names you should stick by this season. Here we look at five of the top fantasy picks this season irrespective of the team you support.
Rashid Khan
The Afghanistan leg-spinner was the most economical bowler in the IPL in 2018 and 2019. A terrific wicket-taker who can change the course of matches, Rashid is also good at containment and is one of the most sought after spinners in franchise cricket. He is a safe pick considering the returns and should be consistently backed.
Sunil Narine
An opening batsman and a spinner who bowls four overs is gold in a T20 outfit and for fantasy players. Narine guarantees you points in one department or the other because of his incredible skills with bat and ball. He more often than not goes at a terrifying run-rate when on song with the bat which makes him an ideal candidate to give you som extra bonus points.
David Warner
The highest run-scorer in the IPL since 2014, the Australian opener is back captaining the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise and is their most important player in the setup. Warner’s mantra in T20s is simple. Score quick in the powerplay with minimal risk and then bat through the middle overs by taking on the weak link in the attack. This is effective as he has shown in the last few years. His powerplay average – the highest in the league since 2018 – also says the same about the kind of approach he has.
KL Rahul
A brilliant ball striker and an opening batsman plus keeper, KL Rahul is a fantastic pick in your fantasy team because of the sheer reliability he brings in. Rahul is a quick scorer and also makes consistent scores which makes him one of the safest picks in a fantasy team. With Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran and Glenn Maxwell around him, Rahul needn’t even take risks which multiplies his fantasy potential.
Jasprit Bumrah
The Indian yorker specialist will be miffed that the IPL was moved from the seam friendly conditions in his home ground, Wankhede to UAE where the spinners reign supreme. However, with Bumrah, the pitch is often secondary as he nails his pinpoint yorkers. Bumrah has constantly added more to his bowling skills and his slower variations have also started making appearances more often. A great death overs bowler is gold in fantasy as he gets cheap wickets too but with Bumrah it’s a combination of restricting and wicket-taking, making him an enticing pick.