ICC Dream 11 Classic Mode: Picking and dropping players for Round 2 - Tips and suggestions

If you haven't, don't fret just yet because you have an option to revamp your side entirely ahead of the next round.

The rules are made such that fantasy players are given a second chance to redeem themselves after getting a first glimpse of the players in the World Cup. Round 2 also has unlimited trades allowing you to shed the players you don't really need in the side and to pack up your team with the in-form players.

A few things to keep in mind while revamping your team for Round 2 are:

• Keep tabs on who is playing more or likely to have an easier opposition in round 2. This allows you to bulk up with these players while probably letting slide a few uncertain picks.
• Bear in mind that after this round, you have only 5 trades for every round till end of league phase. This means that six of these players are virtual constants in your team. You could of course let go of one of them if he doesn't have a good day, but then will still need to have a set of six players in the side for next round. So choose the cream of the lot for these six players. Assume they are your constants till end of the league phase.
• Weigh the kind of opposition each team plays. For instance, England and Pakistan face off in round 2 for what could be a one-sided game given England's recent success against them. So you might want an extra England player who you can trade out after the round.

Based on above analysis, and after trading a few players, this is our suggested team for round 2.

Wicket-keeper

Jos Buttler makes up the wicket-keeping slot. It is a tight call between him and Quinton de Kock but the South African has a tougher opposition in India for Round 2. This sways the balance slightly in favour of the England keeper.

Batsmen

David Warner had a good start to the tournament and face off a quality West Indies pace attack next. However, he loves bounce on the ball and is a decent pick for this match. Martin Guptill, who plays Bangladesh and is in form after his half-century against Sri Lanka, is another fine choice. Virat Kohli loves playing South Africa and has a fantastic record against their bowlers making him a must pick and the ideal captaincy choice for this round. Dimuth Karunaratne has returned to ODIs with aplomb amidst Lankan woes. He has shown enough patience and composure for you to trust him further.

All-rounders

Andre Russell was a revelation in the match against Pakistan with his pace and bounce. Expect him to ruffle a few more feathers against Australia in their round 2 game. The teams faced each other in an unscheduled warm-up game ahead of the World Cup and Russell smashed Khawaja on the helmet. Expect him to have a good go at the Aussie bowlers too. He is a fine pick and a definite option for vice-captaincy.

Moeen Ali is the other all-rounder who can chip in with bat and ball. A handy option to have in your side, Ali will complement Buttler as England take on Pakistan in the first game of round 2.

Bowlers

Despite the high-scoring World Cup that was predicted, the first few matches have been relatively balanced with the bowlers calling the shots. The pitches are also expected to go slower. So backing four good bowlers in our team for this round is ideal. We have Mohammad Shami, Matt Henry, Rashid Khan and Jofra Archer for this round. A good blend of wicket-takers and x-factor bowlers give you a decent differential over the regular picks who are valued higher. Shami over Bumrah is a good choice given his wicket-taking abilities despite not faring well in terms of economy.