Cricket Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-05-24

Welcome back to the SportsPulse.com DFS Cricket Power Play! The recent high-scoring affair between England and West Indies in SA20, with England posting a massive 371, reminds us that T20 cricket offers immense fantasy potential for those who pick wisely. This week, we're diving deep into the data to unearth those crucial picks for DraftKings and FanDuel.

Top 3 Players to START This Week:

1. Faf du Plessis (Joburg Super Kings): Faf is in sublime form. He's been the anchor and the aggressor for JSK, with scores of 82, 55, and 71 in his last three outings. His ability to build an innings and then explode makes him a must-have at the top of the order. Expect another big score against a bowling attack that has struggled for consistency. 2. Marco Jansen (Sunrisers Eastern Cape): The towering all-rounder is a DFS goldmine. Jansen consistently contributes with both bat and ball. In his last two games, he's bagged 2 wickets and scored 47 runs, then followed up with 3 wickets and 32 runs. He offers a high floor and an even higher ceiling, making him essential for any competitive lineup. 3. Rashid Khan (MI Cape Town): While his batting can be a bonus, Rashid's primary value comes from his wicket-taking prowess. He's picked up 2 or more wickets in four of his last five matches, often stifling opposition run rates and breaking key partnerships. Against teams prone to collapse under pressure, Rashid is primed for another multi-wicket haul.

1. Quinton de Kock (Durban's Super Giants): De Kock is a superstar, but his recent form is concerning. He’s managed scores of just 12, 8, and 23 in his last three innings. At his premium price point, you need consistent big returns, and he's not delivering. Bench him until he shows signs of reclaiming his explosive form. 2. Lungi Ngidi (Paarl Royals): Ngidi is a fearsome fast bowler on his day, but he's been expensive and wicketless in recent encounters. He’s only picked up 1 wicket in his last two games while going for over 9 runs an over. Facing a strong batting lineup this week, his fantasy output looks limited for his high salary.

Two Value/Bargain Plays Under Salary Cap:

1. Donovan Ferreira (Joburg Super Kings): Ferreira has been a revelation in the middle order, offering explosive hitting and crucial late-innings runs. He’s delivered quickfire scores of 42 and 38 in recent matches. At a budget-friendly price, he provides excellent cap relief with high-impact potential. 2. Lizaad Williams (Pretoria Capitals): Williams is an underrated new-ball bowler who has shown flashes of brilliance. He recently picked up 2 crucial wickets against a top-order heavy team. He’s cheap, often gets to bowl in the powerplay and at the death, giving him multiple wicket-taking opportunities.

David Miller (Paarl Royals): "Killer Miller" has been inconsistent lately, leading to low ownership, but he's due for a vintage performance. He's a proven match-winner who thrives under pressure, and he has a favorable matchup against a team whose middle-overs bowling can be leaky. If he gets going, his explosive hitting can single-handedly win you a slate. Don't be surprised if he smashes a quick 60-70 runs this week.

Good luck with your lineups, and may your fantasy points be plentiful!