Pick 1 to 4 batters
Openers and top-order anchors are the most fantasy-consistent batting picks. Their strike rate is stable and their boundary bonus potential is high.
How to play
How to Play Fantasy Cricket: A Beginner's Walkthrough
New to fantasy cricket? This is where you start. We walk through the contest flow, the points system, team building and a worked fictional lineup so the theory lands as practice.
Verified methodology
18+ only
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15+Match reads each round
10Teams tracked weekly
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The contest flow
Five steps from sign-up to settled contest
The contest flow is the same across operators, with minor variations in UI. Knowing the flow before you sign up means you spend less time figuring out the app and more time on your lineup.
1
Sign up
Create an account with verified contact details. Most operators require PAN for withdrawals.
2
Verify
Complete KYC: PAN, Aadhaar or equivalent address proof, and a selfie.
3
Pick a match
Select an upcoming IPL match from the contest list. Each match has a slate of contests.
4
Build your XI
Pick eleven players within the salary cap. Choose a captain and vice-captain.
5
Lock your lineup
Confirm before the deadline (usually the toss). Once locked, swaps are limited to impact-player substitutions.
Team building
Constructing a balanced XI
A balanced XI covers the role types your contest type rewards. The composition matters more than the individual picks; a strong captain on a weak side rarely wins.
Pick 1 to 3 all-rounders
All-rounders unlock lineup shapes that single-skill players cannot. A spin all-rounder gives you batting depth and a spin option.
Pick 3 to 5 bowlers
The split between pace and spin matters at most venues. A pace-heavy lineup struggles on dry, slow surfaces; a spin-heavy lineup struggles on green tops.
Pick 1 wicket-keeper
Wicket-keeper-batters are a premium role because they earn both batting points and catches/stumpings. Budget for the dual role.
Worked example
A worked fictional lineup, end to end
The worked example below takes a fictional budget, picks eleven players within the cap, names a captain and a vice-captain, and walks through the captaincy logic. The example is fictional; the picks do not represent a recommendation.
Common errors
Five errors that quietly cost beginners the most
These are the errors that show up most often in beginner contest reviews. Most are easy to avoid once you can name them.
Locking before the toss
You will not know the batting order or the bowling plan until after the toss. Lock before the toss and you gamble.
Ignoring the salary cap
The cap forces trade-offs. A captain-heavy lineup is rarely the right answer in a balanced contest.
Picking on recent points
Recent points are noisy. Read role, not points.
Misreading the contest size
A lineup built for a small contest is rarely the right lineup for a large contest. Match the lineup to the contest.
Skipping the impact player
The impact-player rule changes lineup shape. A confirmed announcement should change your captaincy call.
FAQ
How to play questions
What is the difference between a salary-cap and a fixed-lineup contest?
A salary-cap contest gives you a budget and asks you to pick eleven players whose combined cost fits within it. A fixed-lineup contest uses the same XI for everyone. Most IPL fantasy contests are salary-cap.
How do I choose a captain?
Pick a player whose role is locked, who has high ceiling against the specific opposition and whose batting position or bowling overs are guaranteed. The captain's points are multiplied by two, so role security matters more than form.
When is the lineup lock deadline?
The lineup lock deadline is usually the toss of the match. Some operators also allow late swaps for confirmed impact-player substitutions. Check your operator's rules before each contest.
What is an impact player?
The impact player is a substitution rule introduced by the IPL. Each team names a four-player shortlist before the match; one of the four can be substituted in at any point. The substitution changes your lineup shape.
Where do I read about contest types?
Open the contest strategy guide for the math of cash contests, GPPs, head-to-heads and multiplier contests.
Next step
Your first contest starts with a balanced XI
Read the points-system table, walk through the team-building example, then enter a beginner league. The first contest is about learning the flow, not winning.
18+ only. Fantasy cricket involves financial risk. Play responsibly. Only participate where legal in your state.
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Ready when you are
Build the lineup that earns the captain slot
Start with the prediction desk and verify the scoring rules before you lock your entry. The verification walkthrough takes five minutes and protects you from phishing apps and unusual permissions.