By Duong Huynh 
Okay so here’s how I put together my Dream11 team for the BLR vs SRH clash today. Didn’t wanna overthink it, but man, it takes time.
When I first sat down…
Turned on my laptop around lunchtime, messy hair and all. Needed coffee first, obviously. Grabbed my notebook – the beat-up one with scribbles from last week’s match – and fired up the Dream11 app. Saw it right there: Bangalore vs Hyderabad. Felt a bit lazy, almost clicked one of those “expert teams” suggestions. But nah, figured I should build my own mess.
Started simple: Who’s captaining? BLR got Faf, SRH got Cummins. Easy to remember. Wrote both names down. Then scrolled through the player list. So many names! Tried remembering who played last game, who hit big, who bowled well. Tough.
Then around tea time…
Pulled up a site just to see recent stats. Not gonna lie, it felt like homework. Saw Patel got runs last game for BLR. Klaasen always seems dangerous for SRH – that guy smashes it. Head? Yeah, he’s usually good too. Jotted them down as possible picks. Brain started buzzing.
Checked bowling. Bumrah? Always expensive in Dream11 points, but he takes wickets. Patidar? Maybe not. Wanted some all-rounders for those extra points. Ripped another page in my notebook trying to list them.
Stared at my scribbles. Needed balance – can’t just pick all batsmen or all bowlers. Dream11 makes you pick specific roles: Wicketkeeper? Batsmen? All-rounders? Bowlers? Gotta have them all.
Making the tough calls
Here’s where the head-scratching got real:
- Wicketkeeper: Almost picked Klaasen (SRH). But then saw DK (Karthik, BLR) keeps too. Went with DK in the end, gut feeling he might get runs down the order. Hope he doesn’t flop.
- Batsmen: Picked Head (SRH) – seemed reliable. Then Faf (BLR) as captain? Risky maybe, but if he fires… big points. Du Plessis, that is. Tossed up Patidar (BLR) or Tripathi (SRH). Chose Tripathi, thought he might surprise. Hope I didn’t mess up.
- All-rounders: Needed two. Green (BLR) cost a fortune credits-wise! Almost didn’t pick him. Felt like I had to though. Shahbaz Ahmed (SRH)? Yeah, why not. Cheaper and handy.
Bowlers: Bumrah (MI… wait, hang on, playing for BLR? Yeah!) – obviously. His pace! Markram (SRH)? Can bowl spin sometimes? Fingers crossed he actually bowls today. Last spot? Unadkat (SRH). Saw his name pop up as playing. Budget pick.
Finally hitting submit
Looked back at my team. Felt okay? Mostly. Klaasen wasn’t in there, that bugged me. Maybe he’ll smash it. Moved players around again, swapped Tripathi for someone else briefly… panicked a bit. Clock was ticking close to the first ball. Went back mostly to what I had. Changed the vice-captain last second from Bumrah to Head. Dunno why.
Took a screenshot for my records (and maybe bragging rights if it works). That little prompt asking “Submit Team?” Felt like a big moment. Clicked it. Whew.
So what’s my team look like?
Here’s my mess for today:
- Captain: Du Plessis (BLR) – Praying he goes big.
- Vice-Captain: Head (SRH) – Seems consistent.
- Batsmen: Head (SRH), Tripathi (SRH)
- All-rounders: Green (BLR), Shahbaz Ahmed (SRH)
- Wicketkeeper: Karthik (BLR)
- Bowlers: Bumrah (BLR), Markram (SRH), Unadkat (SRH)
Cost me all my credits. Hope it works out. Now just gotta watch the game and see if these guys actually perform, or if I wasted my lunch break!
