The week 12 update on the all-rounder trend in fantasy cricket: role scarcity and credit density are pushing all-rounder picks ahead of pure anchors. The numbers support the trend.
The numbers
Across the first 12 weeks of the 2026 season, all-rounders with confirmed 4-over bowling quotas have averaged 52 fantasy points per match. Top-order anchors have averaged 48. The crossover happened around week 6.
The credit cost has not changed. All-rounders still cost 8.5-10 credits; top-order anchors 9-11 credits. The points-per-credit ratio for all-rounders is now 5.2-6.1, vs 4.4-5.3 for anchors.
How to adjust
Shift 1-2 credits from top-order anchors to all-rounders. The typical 11-player squad had 4 top-order anchors and 1 all-rounder in 2025. In 2026, the optimal split is 3 anchors and 2 all-rounders.
Captain an all-rounder in head-to-heads where the four inputs are positive. The all-rounder captain scores 60-80 points at 2x — 120-160 effective points — which is consistently higher than the anchor captain’s 100-140.
One caution
Not every all-rounder is the right pick. Verify the 4-over bowling quota on the official squad announcement. A batter who bowls 1-2 overs is not an all-rounder in fantasy terms.
Closing thought
The all-rounder trend is real. Adjust your squad to 3 anchors + 2 all-rounders. Captain an all-rounder in head-to-heads. Verify the 4-over quota on every pick.
