Understanding Point Systems: Why Not All Runs and Wickets Are Created Equal

In fantasy cricket, it's easy to think a run is just a run, and a wicket is a wicket. You might see a batter hit 50 or a bowler grab three wickets and assume they did great. But in fantasy cricket, it's not always that simple. The thing is, not all runs or wickets are worth the same.

If you want to win consistently, you have to understand how your fantasy site scores points. It's what separates a player who just picks their faves from a manager who builds a team to score the most points.

Let's look at why some runs and wickets are worth way more than others, and how knowing this can give you an advantage.

The Deceptive Nature of Runs

On the surface, every run scored adds to your fantasy total. However, the context of how those runs are scored drastically changes their value.

1. Strike Rate is King (Especially in T20S):

In shorter formats like T20, a batsman scoring 30 runs off 20 balls (strike rate of 150) is immensely more valuable than a batsman scoring 40 runs off 45 balls (strike rate of 88.8). Most fantasy platforms heavily penalize low strike rates and reward high ones.

• Scenario A: Batsman X scores 40 off 45 balls. They get points for runs, but might face a negative points adjustment for a poor strike rate.
• Scenario B: Batsman Y scores 30 off 18 balls. They get points for runs, plus a significant bonus for a high strike rate.

In this case, Batsman Y, despite scoring fewer runs, could easily outscore Batsman X in fantasy points. Ignoring strike rate is a rookie mistake.

2. The Power of Boundaries:

Most point systems offer bonus points for every four or six hits. A batsman who scores 50 runs primarily through singles and doubles will earn significantly fewer points than a batsman who reaches the same score with a flurry of boundaries.

• Example: A 50 scored with one four and zero sixes is worth far less than a 50 that includes six fours and three sixes. The latter player receives a massive injection of bonus points, making their innings far more valuable in fantasy terms.

3. Milestone Bonuses:

Reaching specific milestones like a half-century (50 runs) or a century (100 runs) triggers substantial bonus points. A player getting out for 49 is a fantasy tragedy, as they miss out on a chunk of points that a player scoring just one more run would receive. This makes players who consistently convert starts into 50s and 100s incredibly valuable.

The Nuances of Wickets

Just as with runs, not all wickets carry the same fantasy weight. The type of wicket and the context in which it is taken matter immensely.

1. The Method of Dismissal:

A wicket is a wicket, right? Wrong. Most fantasy platforms award bonus points for certain types of dismissals.

• Bowled and LBW: These dismissals often carry bonus points because they are seen as the bowler directly beating the batsman without relying on a fielder.
• Caught and Stumped: These get standard wicket points for the bowler, but also award points to the fielder or wicketkeeper involved.
• Run Out: A run out awards points to the fielders involved, not the bowler.

A bowler who takes three wickets, all of them bowled or LBW, will score significantly more than a bowler who takes three wickets that were all catches in the deep.

2. Economy Rate Matters:

Just as strike rate is crucial for batsmen, economy rate is vital for bowlers, particularly in T20 cricket. A bowler who takes two wickets for 20 runs in their four overs is far more valuable than a bowler who takes three wickets for 55 runs in their four overs.

Most systems offer bonus points for excellent economy rates and impose penalties for expensive spells. A wicket-taker who is also economical is gold dust in fantasy cricket.

3. The Death Over Specialists:

Wickets taken in the death overs (the final few overs of an innings) are often harder to come by and can have a bigger impact on the game's outcome. While few platforms explicitly offer "death over bonuses," these bowlers naturally tend to take more wickets as batsmen take huge risks. They also benefit from the fact that batsmen are trying to hit every ball, increasing the chances of catches, bowled, and LBW dismissals.

The Multiplier Effect: Captain and Vice-Captain

All these nuances are magnified when it comes to choosing your Captain (2x points) and Vice-Captain (1.5x points).

Picking a player who scores a slow 40 as your Captain is a wasted opportunity. Picking a player who scores a quick-fire 60 with multiple sixes and takes two wickets (one bowled, one LBW) as your Captain can single-handedly win you a contest.

When selecting your multipliers, prioritise players who have multiple avenues for scoring points – all-rounders who bat aggressively and bowl in key phases, or wicket-keeper batsmen who score quickly and get points for catches and stumpings.

Conclusion: Read the Rules!

The most crucial takeaway is this: read the scoring rules of the specific platform you are playing on. They are not all the same. Some prioritise strike rate more heavily; others offer bigger bonuses for boundaries. Some penalise poor economy rates more harshly than others.

Don't just pick the players you think will score the most runs or take the most wickets. Pick the players whose style of play is perfectly aligned with the specific point system you are playing under. By understanding that not all runs and wickets are created equal, you can transform from a fantasy enthusiast into a fantasy expert.