Triumph and defeat become profit and loss

Fantasy leagues are turning cricket into a personal hustle. Instead of a team, we support data points in opposition

- Raja Sen

Have you made a Dream11 team?

That question surprised me, coming from one of my closest friends, one with whom I talk far more about culture and cinema, than cricket. As far as I knew, he's never been into the sport. Yet here I see him assiduously making teams, looking up pitch statistics, with daily alarms on his phone to signal announcements of lineups. I find this fascinating, and remain utterly foxed by it.

He isn't alone. When watching with friends nowadays I hear fewer full-throated roars and groans. Instead, I hear mutterings. Secretive, shifty, mutterings. "I wish Klaasen had caught that one," "Somebody should hit Bishnoi for a few," "Miller is my vice-captain, he better make a 50."