Cricket is more than a game; it’s an emotion for millions of die-hard fans who watch it worldwide!
Sadly, however, most individuals feel left out despite the craze and passion around the game. This is mainly because they want to do more than just watch the game; they want to be a part of it.
Fantasy Cricket, a growing passion
But what if we told you that you could not only watch your favorite game of cricket but also earn from it?
Yes, it’s possible! Thanks to cricket’s craze and passion for the game, today we have fantasy cricket, which allows you to participate in the game.
That, too, is the most exciting way!
Want to know how? Let’s find out as we learn more about this online game and how to play fantasy cricket in the following sections.
Introduction to Fantasy Cricket
Thanks to its popularity, fantasy cricket is among the fastest-growing online game, with over 180+ million users.
Wondering what it is about?
Fantasy cricket is an online game where players create a virtual team of cricketers to participate in a match. Users generally receive points based on their current or upcoming game performance.
Most established platforms where these games are held generally award some prizes, money, or other token of appreciation to the best scorers.
So, now that we have an idea of fantasy cricket, let’s learn more about its fundamentals in the following section.
Fundamentals of Fantasy Cricket in Action
Fantasy cricket games allow players to use their analytical skills and cricket expertise to build squads and compete in numerous events. It instills a competitive spirit among participants, motivating them to stay ahead of the competition.
While many people call it a game of luck, fantasy sports is a very skill-based game that assesses you on various aspects. When forming your team, you should conduct a thorough study and examine critical data points such as:
- Match details
- Pitch conditions
- Team Squad
- Venue analysis
- Player battles
- Team performance history.
So winning in fantasy cricket is more than simply a stroke of luck; it requires much effort.
The ultimate goal of playing a fantasy cricket competition is to outscore your opponents. What’s more? You can also play fantasy cricket games in several formats, including T20Is, Tests, and ODIs.
Note: The forms may alter in fantasy cricket, but the goal of winning and scoring points stays consistent.
Inside Fantasy Cricket: How Does it Work?
The basics of fantasy cricket can be tempting, making you want to start immediately! However, it’s easier said than done. There are multiple aspects to fantasy cricket that you must know before planning to sign up for any platform.
Therefore, we’ve listed down the basics of playing fantasy cricket in three easy steps:
Step 1: Select A Match
The first step in the game is selecting the type of match you want to participate in. Here, you can choose among the live matches and have entry provisions.
Step 2: Create Your Team
Next, it’s time to create your virtual team. To play the match, you’ll need to create a team of 22 players.
Pro Tip: Never invest in matches whose players you don’t know about or follow personally.
Step 3: Join A Suitable Contest
Finally, it’s time to join the contest that suits you. You can choose among various contests (based on the prize pool).
Breakdown of the Game
Each player on your squad receives certain points based on his on-field performance. You must pick both a vice-captain and a captain for your team. Your vice-captain receives 1.5 times as many points as the captain.
In the end, the scores of your whole team are tallied together and compared to the points of your competitors, and you are assigned a rank. If your rank matches a winner’s, you win; otherwise, you lose.
Fantasy cricket offers a wide range of tournaments for specific games. Some contests are free, but some require an entrance fee. The admission cost ranges between Rs.10 and lakhs, depending on the contest type and the number of participants. All entry fees are combined to establish a prize pool dispersed among the winners.
Competition Breakdown
- Grand League: These are significant membership leagues with populations ranging from 50 to thousands. Due to the large number of participants, these leagues are highly competitive. Participants can also form several teams and participate in the same tournament many times.
- Small League: These tournaments begin with two-member leagues that compete head-to-head and progress between the 20s and 40s. There is less rivalry here, so investing in a tiny league is safer.
Fantasy cricket aims to establish an online or virtual area where fans can gather to invest in games and compete against one another. It allows followers to earn money and win rewards for something they are enthusiastic about.
Types of Fantasy Cricket Leagues
The suggested options when participating in fantasy cricket might confuse you. Interestingly, fantasy cricket leagues have multiple formats, each designed to suit individual players and their expertise in the game.
Here are some common types of fantasy cricket leagues you should know of, namely:
#1 Head-to-Head Leagues
As the name suggests, a head-to-head (H2H) league is where you compete directly with a single opponent. Each participant chooses a team, and the team with the most points wins.
The prizes are frequently distributed among the best performers. These leagues have a balanced risk-reward structure and are popular with newcomers since the chances of winning are better than in larger competitions.
Pros:
- Easy game as you need to compete against a single player.
- Ideal for beginner fantasy players to understand and play.
Cons:
- Lower prize pool compared to larger contests.
#2 Small Leagues
Next, we have small league games. These matches generally have 3 to 10 participants in a single match. These events have moderate competition, and the prize pool is awarded to the top one or two competitors, depending on the platform’s rules.
Because you are up against so many teams, small leagues require more strategic planning than head-to-head leagues, but the difficulty is still doable. Players looking to balance risk and reward might participate in these leagues.
Pros:
- Great winning probability compared to more significant contests.
- Moderate competition, making it more intense than H2H leagues.
Cons:
- The prize pool is smaller compared to grand leagues.
#3 Grand Leagues
The grand league is another competition phase involving more players than minor or H2H leagues. It involves hundreds or millions of people. These tournaments are generally held on established fantasy cricket sites and offer enormous reward pools that might total crores.
But the chances of winning are slim, and the competition is intense. To stand out, players must form incredibly strategic and occasionally unique teams. This approach is perfect for experienced players who are willing to take risks.
Pros:
- Huge rewards for top performers.
- It is ideal for seasoned fantasy cricket players.
Cons:
- Extremely high competition and low odds of winning.
- Requires in-depth research and strategy.
#4 Daily Leagues
Finally, we have the daily leagues. These are short-term contests where participants can create teams for a single game or a whole day of play. These leagues serve people who would rather play every day than only during certain seasons. They come in several formats, such as mini, grand, and head-to-head leagues.
Pros:
- Quick turnaround; results are available within a day.
- Keeps the excitement alive with daily matches.
Cons:
- Limited time for research and adjustments.
Fantasy Cricket Basics You Should Know
- Captain – 2X points will be awarded to the player you select to captain your fantasy cricket squad. Choosing the appropriate captain makes scoring points simple.
- Vice-Captain – The player you designate as your vice-captain will get 1.5 times as many points as the chosen player. After choosing your captain well, this choice is crucial for winning large sums of money because it may earn the user the most points.
- Players receive starting points based on their presence in the playing XI. However, if a player does not start after being included, he or she will not receive points. In certain instances, the replacement will get points (including beginning points). On the other hand, sports enthusiasts are constantly informed about their teams.
- Strike rate scoring only applies to strike rates less than 70 runs per 100 balls.
- A player will not gain points for events during a Super Over.
- Credible sources provide data; no additional revisions will be made after the points are assigned and the winners are announced. Points granted live in-game are subject to alteration while the status is ‘In process’ or ‘Waiting for review.’
Strategies for Success in Fantasy Cricket
Understand Player Performance
Understanding players’ performance is critical since you must overlook their reputation in such circumstances. Piyush Mishra, for instance, may have been in excellent form in 2012 or 2013, but he is no longer a force to be reckoned with. You must do your study and select players depending on their present form and the consistency with which they perform for their respective teams.
Understanding Pitch Performance
The pitch is critical in determining the outcome of a match, so you should be familiar with it before creating your team. Of course, no one can say for certain, but some analysis can be conducted depending on the venue. You would know that Eden Gardens is a faster-paced ground than Chepauk, and you may bring in more fast bowlers than necessary.
Pro Tip: Choose teams based on the pitch.
Find out if the Players are Playing
You’ll want to know whether a specific player is playing that day! The worst-case scenario is that you select and captain someone only to discover that he is injured or cannot participate in that specific match. Choose guys who are consistent and have established themselves on the team. If you have any doubts, the best thing you can do is avoid taking them.
Calculate the Cost Well
Some players are valued more than normal yet fail to meet expectations. Watch the games; you’ll see a few young players playing well. Choose them since they may reward you handsomely while providing an excellent balance to your squad, improving your chances of winning cash prizes.
Select Top-order Batsmen More
If two teams are playing each other, attempt to include as many top-order batters as feasible. Top-order batters score better because they face more balls, which limits possibilities for middle-order batsmen. Choose players from the first four positions to improve your chances of earning more points than planned.
Bonus Points
Keep track of players excelling on the field since catches, stumpings, and run-outs may earn you extra points. A player like Jadeja may bat lower in the order, but he can make a few catches or run-outs, increasing your extra points. Gamezy is the finest fantasy cricket software you can use to increase your chances of winning big and earning the prizes you want.
How to Choose the Right Contests?
- Stay Informed About Toss and Making Last-minute Changes
You must monitor the toss outcome and make any necessary modifications based on it. When the teams declare the playing XI, you may modify as needed and delete any players you picked but do not have a spot in the playing XI.
- Always Create Multiple Teams
If you want to maximize your chances of winning, consider creating many teams. Even if you lose one of the competitions, you can win big with a different team in another.
- Latest Updates and Announcements About the Teams
Pay close attention to all of the news that the teams are releasing. Coaches or mentors are known to alter the team’s playing XI to allow every player a fair chance at the game. So be aware of these alterations.
- Choosing the Right Combination of Batsmen, Bowlers, WK, and Fielders
You must exercise caution because you only want to choose one player from each category. By the top-order batters. The ideal way is to choose all-rounders who bat in the top four. As a result, you receive the most attention due to their entire performance. Similarly, wicketkeepers are noted for their batting abilities and may provide attention to both batting and wicketkeeping.
Choose the Right Place to Play & Acquire Information
To participate in the contests that you want to win, you must first select the correct fantasy cricket app and follow an accurate analysis website to improve your winning chances.
Here are some of our top suggestions for playing fantasy games:
Dream 11
Dream11 is a well-known fantasy sports app with over 11 million users of the fantasy cricket game. The platform has celebrity brand sponsors like MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya. However, that’s not all! Dream11 offers daily rewards to its participants. If you consider yourself a cricket specialist, try playing Dream11 fantasy cricket.
MPL Fantasy
Next, we have the MPL Fantasy app, with its brand advocate, the King of Cricket, Virat Kohli himself. It is among the best fantasy cricket platforms, hosting daily matches and offering great winning opportunities to its users. Participants also have the option to play other games over the platform.
My11Circle
My11Circle is well-known among those interested in fantasy cricket. The app’s brand advocates include Shane Watson, Rashid Khan, and ex-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. In contrast to many other platforms, My11Circle has no maximum withdrawal limit, letting users withdraw all of their cash at once.
Besides, while you’re at it, try looking for applications with user-friendly layouts, a variety of contests, and safe payment choices. You may also seek websites like CrickPicks that provide professional guidance, analysis, and insights to help you make sound decisions.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Fantasy cricket is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, with millions participating across several platforms. However, like any game involving skill and stakes, it is critical to be aware of the legal and ethical implications of playing ethically.
Legal Considerations
In many countries, fantasy cricket is considered a skill-based game rather than gambling, making it legal. In India, for example, the Supreme Court has declared that fantasy sports are games of skill; hence, they are not subject to gambling rules. However, legislation differs by state; for example, Odisha, Telangana, and Assam have limitations on online fantasy gaming. To maintain compliance, players should constantly check the legality of fantasy cricket in their regions.
It’s also critical to only play on regulated platforms that adhere to tight rules for fair play, data protection, and safe payment methods. Credible regulatory agencies often license established platforms, ensuring a safer and more trustworthy experience.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical gaming is essential. Fantasy cricket may be thrilling, but it also carries the danger of addiction because of the opportunity for financial gain. Players should play with a limited budget, avoid chasing losses, and view fantasy cricket as enjoyment rather than a sure source of money.
Also, we emphasize that players try to play fairly. Misusing several accounts, following match-fixing instructions, or using bots to anticipate results harms the game’s integrity. Additionally, since fantasy platforms gather and retain personal data, ethical players and platforms must protect data privacy and prevent information abuse. Platforms with clear legalities and t&c and a solid commitment to data privacy increase user confidence and provide a fair, ethical gaming environment.
Awareness of these ethical and legal factors will allow you to enjoy fantasy cricket properly, resulting in a safe and pleasurable game for everyone.
