IPL Guides

Editorial lane · 02

The eight-minute routine

You do not need more data. You need a shorter path through the data you already have. The eight-minute routine is what we run on every IPL match morning, in this order: pitch report, weather, confirmed XI, toss call, captaincy note.

Pitch reports, translated

"Dry, will assist spinners" usually means the square boundaries are short and the rough is already showing by the time the first innings ends. Pace-on with short square boundaries means 200-plus is on the cards and the powerplay is worth overpaying for. We translate pitch notes into a one-line role call: "buy a powerplay batter and a death bowler".

Probable XI reading

A probable XI is a contract, not a list. Look for the player who replaces a role rather than the player who replaces a name. If the franchise has swapped an out-of-form top-order batter for a top-order batter who is in form, the role is unchanged and the fantasy call is unchanged. If they have swapped a top-order batter for a middle-order anchor, the role has shifted and your XI should too.

Toss, then trim

The toss is the moment to drop one name. If the team batting first reads well but the chase is hard, cut the death-over specialist and lock the anchor. If the chase looks comfortable, cut the anchor and lock the chase bowler. One cut, one line of reasoning, no second-guessing before lock.

Venue notes

What we will not do

We will not promise a "guaranteed captain pick". We will not screenshot payout slips. We will not sell teams to your phone number. The IPL desk is an editorial lane, not a tipping service.

Frequently asked