IPL 2025 Fantasy Strategy: Do Teams Chasing Win More Points?

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As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, fantasy players across the country are refining their tactics on every platform for cricket online. One of the most common debates in the fantasy community is whether teams chasing, rather than setting a target, tend to generate more fantasy points.

It’s a fair question. With pitch conditions, dew factors, and pressure situations influencing how matches play out, understanding the dynamics of chasing can give you a strategic advantage in IPL cricket fantasy contests.

Let’s break down what the numbers say, what recent IPL trends reveal, and how you can adjust your fantasy strategy accordingly.

The Chasing Advantage: What the Stats Suggest

Over the past few IPL seasons, teams batting second have enjoyed a slight edge in match outcomes, especially at venues where dew affects bowlers in the second innings. This often leads to higher scores while chasing and more efficient run chases.

For fantasy players, this matters. Batters chasing a total typically know the required run rate and can plan their innings with more clarity. This often results in:

Higher strike rates

More boundary-scoring possibilities

Increased possibilities of “not out” finishes, which offer bonus points

For example, in IPL 2024, Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill scored several match-winning fifties while chasing, earning full batting and bonus points. Keeping an eye on similar situations in IPL cricket 2025 can help you pick batters who are more likely to deliver when chasing totals.

Bowlers in the Second Innings: A Double-Edged Sword

When a team bowls second, their bowlers often face a different kind of challenge, especially with dew making the ball harder to grip. However, second-inning bowlers can also benefit from batters taking more risks during a chase.

This means:

Higher possibilities of wickets through aggressive shots

More variations (e.g., slower balls and yorkers) used by death bowlers, leading to dot balls and fantasy points

Think of bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah or Trent Boult, who regularly bowl in the 18th to 20th over — those overs offer a big moment for points, especially in close run chases. If you’re building a fantasy team on a cricket online platform, look for bowlers who are regularly used at the death.

Toss Matters — But So Does Player Role

In fantasy contests, team selection often closes after the toss, allowing you to make adjustments. If your platform allows late swaps, consider modifying your team based on who bats second, especially when the pitch is expected to improve under lights.

However, don’t rely solely on the toss. Role clarity is just as important. A player like Hardik Pandya, who bowls and bats regardless of innings order, remains valuable. Similarly, middle-order batters who finish matches, such as Rinku Singh or Nicholas Pooran, thrive in chases and can earn big points even if they don’t bat for long.

This blend of match situation and player role is where IPL cricket fantasy strategy truly comes into play.

Venue-Specific Considerations

Not all grounds favor chasing. For example:

Chennai (MA Chidambaram Stadium) often slows down in the second innings, making chasing tougher.

Wankhede (Mumbai) and Eden Gardens (Kolkata) generally favor chasers due to flatter pitches and shorter boundaries.

Understanding venue trends can help you make better pre-match decisions on your cricket online fantasy platform. Keep a venue-wise log of matches and performance trends to spot early-season patterns.

Team Dynamics and Match Scenarios Matter Too

While the innings order can influence fantasy outcomes, team composition and match dynamics also play a major role. A side like CHE, for instance, often relies on experience and depth, meaning their middle-order might not need to accelerate as aggressively, even while chasing. On the other hand, teams like PBKS or SRH are known for explosive top orders, which can dramatically impact scoring within the first 10 overs, especially during a chase.

Another factor to consider is the match situation itself. A close contest where the chase goes into the final over often means more scoring possibilities for both batters and death bowlers. On cricket online fantasy platforms, these high-pressure endings can result in a surge of late points through boundaries, wickets, or dot balls.

As a fantasy manager, evaluating not just whether a team is chasing, but how they typically chase can give you an added edge. Look at recent match patterns, winning formulas, and current form when choosing players. These subtleties often separate the average fantasy lineup from the high-performing ones in your IPL cricket contests.

Strategy Recap for Fantasy IPL Players

Here’s how you can turn this insight into actionable strategy for IPL 2025:

Prioritize aggressive top-order batters from chasing teams when possible.

Pick death-over specialists who bowl in pressure situations.

Use the toss to make final lineup tweaks if allowed.

Combine venue research with role-based player selection.

Avoid over-weighting one match phase — balance is key.

Conclusion

While chasing teams in IPL cricket often enjoy certain match advantages, what matters most in fantasy contests is how players perform within their roles. By combining toss updates, venue knowledge, and smart role analysis, you can gain a consistent edge in your cricket online fantasy strategy.

As IPL 2025 progresses, stay observant. Fantasy success isn’t just about big names; it’s about smart timing, match awareness, and strategic flexibility. Understanding when and how chasing influences fantasy points might just be your next big advantage.