Cricket Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-06-04

Welcome back to the SportsPulse.com fantasy desk, where we dissect the numbers to give you the edge! This past week brought some intriguing results, including the high-scoring SA20 encounter where England Cricket hammered West Indies Cricket 371-121. While we're still trying to figure out the Cesson Rennes MHB vs. HBC Nantes "Indian Premier League" score, our focus remains sharply on the fantasy cricket landscape for DraftKings and FanDuel players. Let's dive into the upcoming slate with some red-hot picks and crucial warnings.

Top 3 Players to START This Week

1. Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals): Buttler is in blistering form, fresh off a 104 in his last T20 outing and an aggressive 87 against quality pace bowling. His ability to anchor an innings while maintaining a sky-high strike rate makes him a DFS goldmine, especially on pitches known for good batting surfaces. He’s a consistent fantasy point scorer across all categories. 2. Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans): The Afghan spinner is a perennial fantasy favorite for a reason. He’s coming into this week having picked up 3/27 and 2/19 in his last two games, not to mention his crucial cameos with the bat. His wicket-taking prowess and economic bowling, combined with his lower-order hitting, offer a high floor and ceiling. 3. Liam Livingstone (Punjab Kings): Livingstone is a dynamic all-rounder whose form has quietly surged. He blasted a quickfire 60 from 28 balls in the recent SA20 clash and contributed with a wicket. His dual threat of powerful hitting and handy leg-spin makes him an excellent choice, particularly in games expected to be high-scoring.

1. David Warner (Delhi Capitals): Warner, while a legend, has struggled for consistency this season. After a couple of low scores (18, 12) and facing a tricky matchup against a strong new-ball attack, his high salary is hard to justify. There are better, more in-form top-order options available this week. 2. Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders): Starc is a wicket-taker, but his recent economy has been a concern (over 10 RPO in his last two matches), leading to negative points for runs conceded. Against a batting lineup that targets pace, his fantasy output could be highly volatile, making him a risky pick for his price.

1. Ayush Badoni (Lucknow Super Giants): Badoni has been quietly impressive in the middle order, showing maturity beyond his years. He scored a valuable 45 in a pressure situation last game and is often overlooked by DFS managers. At his low salary, he offers significant upside if given the opportunity to bat, especially against spin. 2. Maheesh Theekshana (Chennai Super Kings): The Sri Lankan mystery spinner has found his rhythm, bagging 2/25 and 1/28 in his recent appearances. He's often priced lower than more established international bowlers but consistently delivers economy and crucial wickets, making him a fantastic cap-saver with a high return potential.

Shimron Hetmyer (Rajasthan Royals): Most fantasy managers will shy away from Hetmyer due to his inconsistent batting position and hit-or-miss nature. However, he's due for a big knock. In a recent high-scoring game, he showed glimpses of his destructive power with a quick 30. Facing a bowling attack that struggles against left-handers in the death overs, Hetmyer could explode for a game-winning cameo, providing massive points at very low ownership. He's a calculated risk with immense upside.

Good luck with your lineups this week, fantasy managers! May your picks be bold and your scores be high.