Cricket Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-06-07

Welcome back to your weekly DFS Cricket deep dive, SportsPulse Nation! With the T20 leagues heating up globally, every decision counts on DraftKings and FanDuel. Forget the noise, let's cut straight to the picks that will put you in the green this week.

Top 3 Players to START This Week

1. Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders): Russell is simply irresistible right now. He's been averaging over 60 fantasy points in his last three outings, showcasing his explosive power with the bat and crucial wicket-taking ability in the death overs. His recent 45 runs off 19 balls and 2 key wickets against Chennai underscore his all-round dominance. Against a struggling bowling line-up this week, expect him to deliver a monster score. 2. Devon Conway (Chennai Super Kings): Conway is in sublime form at the top of the order for CSK. He's posted scores of 77, 56, and 83 in his last three matches, providing a high floor with his consistent run-scoring and a high ceiling with his ability to anchor an innings. Facing a team that struggles against left-handed openers, Conway is primed for another big haul. 3. Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans): The spin wizard remains a DFS cheat code. Rashid has taken 7 wickets in his last two matches, including a match-winning 4-wicket haul against Delhi, while maintaining an incredible economy rate. His ability to pick up wickets in clusters and contribute with the bat in the lower order makes him a must-start, especially on pitches expected to offer some turn.

1. Liam Livingstone (Punjab Kings): While Livingstone has immense potential, his form has been erratic. He's struggled to convert starts into significant scores recently, with scores of 15, 22, and 8 in his last three games. Facing a strong bowling attack featuring quality spinners and pacers, the risk of an early dismissal is high, making his high salary tough to justify this week. 2. Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad): Cummins is a fantastic bowler, but his fantasy output has been inconsistent. He’s been expensive in recent matches, conceding over 40 runs without a wicket in two of his last four outings. On a flat pitch this week that traditionally favors batsmen, his wicket-taking opportunities might be limited, and his high salary can be better allocated elsewhere.

Value/Bargain Plays Under Salary Cap

1. Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians): Varma has been a consistent performer for MI in the middle order, often providing stability and quick runs. He's available at a surprisingly low salary for his scoring potential, having notched up scores of 38 and 46 in his last two games. He offers a solid floor with upside if he gets enough balls. 2. Maheesh Theekshana (Chennai Super Kings): The Sri Lankan mystery spinner is a great value pick. He's been quietly effective, picking up crucial wickets in the powerplay and middle overs. He secured 2 wickets in his last match and is expected to play a key role against a batting line-up that struggles against spin, all at a very budget-friendly price.

Shardul Thakur (Delhi Capitals): "Lord Shardul" is a forgotten gem this week. Often overlooked due to inconsistent opportunities, Thakur has a knack for picking up wickets in crucial moments and can smash quick runs down the order. He took 2 wickets and scored 18 runs in his last full game, reminding us of his potential. Against a team prone to collapses, Thakur could bag a couple of wickets and contribute with the bat, providing huge leverage at extremely low ownership. Don't be surprised if he swings contests for the boldest players.

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