The ICC World T20 moves into its second phase from Tuesday (March 15) with the first half of the Super 10 games, where the big teams finally come into play. The second phase lasts from match 13 to match 22, with managers getting a new set of 20 transfers to use. Any saved transfers from phase 1 will not carry over, so make sure to use all your transfers. There will be unlimited transfers between rounds, so managers will be looking to overhaul their teams. I will be covering all the big eight teams below.
Australia
Despite losing four of their last six T20s, Australia look as strong as ever, with their mighty batting having chased 178 and 204 successfully in the last two games. In this phase, Australia play New Zealand (match 17) and Afghanistan (match 22), both near the latter part of the phase, so it is perhaps unwise to stock up on their players from the get go.
As far as Fantasy options go, Shane Watson (120k) seems a prime option, with opening and bowling duties scores of 42, 9 and 124* in his last 3 T20Is and a wicket each in the two innings he bowled.
His 124* against India showed that he is as explosive as anyone, and has ample experience on these pitches with eight years of Indian Premier League experience and having recently played in UAE.
David Warner (110k) is also a very explosive yet consistent option, but has recently been demoted to #4, losing some appeal. However, he still represents a very good option, having top scored in IPL 8, and is in fine form.
Glenn Maxwell (100k) might seem a strong option, but I would be wary of him considering his well documented struggles on Indian pitches, but he is extremely explosive so leave him out at your own peril. Aaron Finch (110k) and Steve Smith (100k) are the other two batting options, but they are not as explosive as the others. Mitchell Marsh (80k) and James Faulkner (90k) are some good bargain options with four overs and big hitting abilities, likely to come in at six and seven. Nathan Coulter-Nile (70k) is also one to watch out for.
With Afghanistan being the last game and being the weakest team of the lot, Australian options look worth stocking up for that game, considering they scored over 400 in their game against them in the 50-over World Cup.
England
England finally come into a world tournament with high hopes and exciting talent. They face West Indies (match 15) and South Africa (match 18) in this phase, both in quick succession, which makes their options even more attractive.
Explosive opener Jason Roy (70k) seems an attractive bargain option, coming off a fiery half century in the warm ups against New Zealand. Joe Root (100k) may not be as explosive as his other compatriots, yet is a consistent and safe option. Jos Buttler (110k) is a batsman that can make a difference even with limited balls, and is also a wicketkeeper for your team balance needs. He comes in in fine form, so should be worth considering against a wayward West Indies and a South Africa he scored 32 and 54 against very recently.
Eoin Morgan (110k) is also destructive on his day, but may be too expensive for his inconsistency. Explosive all-rounder Ben Stokes (90k) may also be worth a go, but he comes down the order so may not have much time to rack up points. Allrounder Moeen Ali (80k) could be worth considering for his bowling alone, on the turning Indian tracks.
India
India come into this tournament as red hot favorites, having won all eight of their last 8 T20s and with their team in fine form, they have a host of Fantasy options worth considering. They play New Zealand (match 13, opener) and Pakistan (match 19) in this phase.
Opener Rohit Sharma (120k) is the prime option here, with immense explosiveness and form, having scored 98* in the warmup game against West Indies and performing well in the Asia Cup, he is a must have, especially for the game against Pakistan, which is at Eden Gardens, a ground his stats are ridiculous on.
Virat Kohli (120k) needs no introduction, with his ridiculous consistency and a T20 average of above 50 (matched by no one) is also a must have, coming in at 3. Although arguably not as explosive as Sharma, he is as consistent and safe as they get. Shikhar Dhawan (90k) and Suresh Raina (100k) are rather inconsistent, so I would personally avoid them, like MS Dhoni (100k), who comes way too far down the order and has a knack of wasting balls.
From the bowling department, Ravichandran Ashwin (110k) is the prime pick, with Ravindra Jadeja (90k) not being too far off, coming in cheaper. Of course, with Sharma and Kohli coming in at 120k each, you need some bargains and India has no dearth of those either. Jasprit Bumrah (70k) comes in in excellent form and with an ability to bowl yorkers at will, is a dangerous customer in T20s. Hardik Pandya (70k) is also another good bargain option, in excellent form and having four overs in his bag as well as heavy hitting abilities, he is slated to come in at seven but may come in earlier depending upon the situation.
Ashish Nehra (80k) is also a wicket taking bowler, but probably not worth the extra 10k over Bumrah. With Pakistani batting in dire straits, it might be worth doubling up on Indian bowlers for that game.
New Zealand
New Zealand remain exciting as ever, with a host of big hitting options in their ranks. They play their games in their phase rather quickly, however, their fixtures are arguably the hardest, with India (match 13) and Australia (match 17) their games. That shouldn’t yet act as deterrents to their Fantasy options, as fixtures don’t make a huge difference in T20s.
Skipper Kane Williamson (110k) is one of the finest batsmen of this era, and is a top option, as he opens the batting now, coming off a breezy 63 against England in the warmups. Fellow opener Martin Guptill (100k) is probably more explosive, however less consistent, but he can be matchwinning on his own on his day. Middle order throws two more great Fantasy options, with Corey Anderson (90k) and bargain buy Colin Munro (70k) coming off explosive 60s against Sri Lanka in the warmups, and may bowl a few overs too. Trent Boult (100k) is the top bowling pick, however, he did struggle to make an impact on Indian pitches in the last IPL.
Pakistan
Pakistan look in rather shaky form, however, they are one side that can never be counted out. They play the winner of Bangladesh/Oman (match 14) and India (match 19) in this phase. Their batting does not have many attractive options though, with wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed (90k) coming too far down the order, perhaps Mohammad Hafeez (90k) one to consider, however no bowling may diminish his appeal.
Umar Akmal (90k) may also be worth considering for their first game, but he is rather inconsistent. Shoaib Malik (100k) is in decent form and may bowl a few overs too. Their main options are the bowlers though, with Mohammad Amir (90k) blowing away batting orders in his comeback from a spot fixing ban in the Asia Cup, being a prime captaincy option in his first game.
Wahab Riaz (100k) and the very explosive on his day Shahid Afridi (120k) are also ones to watch out for, and perhaps worth considering a bowling double up in the first game.
South Africa
South Africa come into yet another tournament wanting to shake off their chokers tag, and will hoping to give their oodles of talent justice. They play England (match 18) and Afghanistan (match 20), although in quick succession, both in latter half of the phase, so probably unwise to stock up from the start.
AB de Villiers (120k) is to cricket what Sergio Aguero is to Fantasy Premier League, just more essential, more explosive and more consistent. He is an absolute must have and must captain in both their games, with his recent 71(29) against the opponents in their first game, England being a timely reminder of what he can do. Considering he now opens as well, his EO will most likely be closer to 200% than 100%.
Fellow opener Hashim Amla (100k) is also a should have, having scored a pacey 69 against England and 97 against Australia in the last couple of weeks. Faf du Plessis (100k) is also an option, coming in in good form and with experience on these pitches. I would advise owning all three, especially against Afghanistan, where a score of over 200 looks likely.
Kagiso Rabada (80k) and Imran Tahir (90k) are the prime bowling options to consider, with Rabada in good form and Tahir having done well in India in the past. Dale Steyn (100k) is probably worth leaving aside, with his not very good T20 history and not having done well in the recent IPLs.
Sri Lanka
Champions Sri Lanka, like Pakistan, are another out of sorts side, and it wouldn’t surprise me even if they finished last in their group and were beaten by Afghanistan. Their current side is drastically changed since the last T20 WC and is one that does not do the champions tag justice.
They do have two relatively good fixtures in the phase against Afghanistan (match 16) and West Indies (match 21) as well as a few decent Fantasy options including captain Angelo Mathews (110k) having the burden of both bowling and batting. Lasith Malinga (100k) remains a class act and one worth having against two shaky batting lienups. Dasun Shanaka (50k) looks like one of the cheapest players in the game, bowls four overs and can land a few big hits. Although he was hit for four sixes in an over in the warmup game against New Zealand, he did run through the Indian batting order in Pune last month. Tillakaratne Dilshan (120k) may be getting older, but he may still play a couple of classy knocks. Experienced bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara (80k) and Rangana Herath (90k) are also ones to watch out for and consider for their first two games.
West Indies
2012 champions West Indies possess a host of explosive, albeit extremely inconsistent options, they are the one side that can score 250 if they click or bundle out for 50 if they don’t. They play England (match 15) and West Indies (match 21) in this phase.
Opener Chris Gayle (120k) may be on the wane, but he may still come out with a 100+ knock any time, with his loads of experience in India through IPL. A Gayle storm, as it is popularly called, may land any time, so get a big sofa if you leave him out, especially against a weak Sri Lanka at the Chinnaswamy, his home for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, where he has scored multiple 100s including a 175.
Andre Russell (100k) and Carlos Brathwaite (70k) are exciting allround talents, with big hitting abilities, with Russell having done exceedingly well in the last IPL and Brathwaite coming in at a bargain price. Dwayne Bravo (110k) is also a good option, with his supreme death bowling skills having brought him success on Indian pitches and his batting being very good as well. Samuel Badree (100k) is one of the top T20 bowlers and is an essential on turning tracks.
Notes: The FFS League has crept into the top 10 leagues, and with prizes on offer for the admin. as well as the Top 5 of the top league, let’s take it to the top!
