By StrikeOdds Desk, Editorial team for Indian sports betting and casino
Cricket is not just the most popular sport in India – it is the most popular sport to bet on by a wide margin. Whether you follow the IPL, international Test matches, ODIs, T20Is, or domestic competitions like the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the best Indian sportsbooks offer deep betting markets across every format and competition.
This guide covers everything an Indian cricket bettor needs to know – how cricket odds work, every major bet type explained with examples, which sportsbooks offer the best cricket coverage, and practical tips to improve your results across all formats. For our ranked list of the best cricket betting sites in India, see our dedicated page.
For guides to other popular betting sports in India, see our Football, Kabaddi, and Tennis betting guides.
Best Sportsbooks for Cricket Betting in India
Before diving into the details, here are the sportsbooks that offer the best cricket betting experience for Indian players:
10Cric is built around cricket. Up to 148 markets per IPL match, coverage of virtually every global cricket competition, daily cricket rewards and quizzes, and Harbhajan Singh as brand ambassador. If cricket is your primary betting interest, 10Cric is the obvious choice.
1xBet covers over 40 cricket competitions – more than any other sportsbook we recommend. This includes not just major tournaments but amateur and domestic leagues from around the world. Live streaming of selected cricket matches is available.
Dafabet offers two sportsbook experiences (Dafa Sports and OW Sports) with premium HD cricket streaming and a betting exchange where you can back and lay cricket outcomes. The cricket-specific cashback programme adds ongoing value.
4rabet has a dedicated cricket section in the main navigation, Hindi language support, and strong IPL coverage. The low ₹300 minimum deposit makes it accessible for casual cricket bettors.
Batery provides 5-15% weekly cashback on cricket losses, which is valuable if you bet on cricket regularly. The bet builder works well for combining multiple cricket selections from the same match.
How Cricket Betting Odds Work
Most Indian sportsbooks display cricket odds in decimal format by default. Here is how to read them:
Decimal odds show your total return per ₹1 staked. If India is listed at 1.75 to beat Australia, a ₹1,000 bet returns ₹1,750 if India wins (₹750 profit plus your ₹1,000 stake).
How odds reflect probability. Lower odds mean the outcome is more likely. India at 1.30 is a strong favourite. India at 3.50 is an underdog. Odds of 2.00 represent roughly a 50/50 chance.
Odds move based on demand and information. If the toss result favours one team, their odds will shorten. If a key player is injured during warm-ups, the odds shift. Live odds change constantly based on the match situation – a team that loses early wickets will see their odds drift (become longer).
Margin (the bookmaker’s edge). Sportsbooks build a small margin into their odds. If a match is truly 50/50, fair odds would be 2.00 for each team, but the sportsbook might offer 1.90 for each, keeping the difference as profit. Lower margins mean better value for bettors. 10Cric and MegaPari tend to offer the tightest cricket margins.
You can switch between decimal, fractional, American, and Asian odds formats in your sportsbook settings. Decimal is the most intuitive for Indian players and is what we use throughout this guide.
Cricket Bet Types Explained
Match Winner (Moneyline)
The simplest cricket bet – pick the team that wins. In Test matches, you also have the option of betting on a draw, making it a three-way market. In T20s and ODIs, draws are extremely rare (only if the match is abandoned or tied without a Super Over), so the market is typically two-way.
Top Batsman / Top Bowler
Predict the highest individual run-scorer or wicket-taker in an innings or the match. Dead heat rules apply if two players finish level – your payout is divided by the number of players who tied.
Total Runs (Over/Under)
Bet on whether the total runs in an innings or the match will be over or under a set line. In T20s, first innings lines typically sit around 155-175 depending on the venue and teams. In ODIs, expect lines of 250-300.
Session/Phase Betting
Bet on runs scored during specific phases – powerplay (overs 1-6 in T20s), middle overs (7-15), or death overs (16-20). This requires understanding how teams approach each phase. For example, a team with aggressive top-order batsmen will typically score more in the powerplay.
Fall of Next Wicket
Predict the total score when the next wicket falls. This is popular for live betting – you are essentially predicting how long the current partnership will last.
Method of Dismissal
Bet on how the next batsman will be dismissed – caught, bowled, LBW, run out, or stumped. In T20 cricket, caught dismissals account for roughly 55-60% of all wickets, making this the most common outcome.
Handicap Betting
Used to even out mismatches. In a Test match, India might be given a handicap of -1.5 innings (meaning they need to win by an innings for the bet to pay out), while the opposition receives +1.5 innings.
Series Winner / Tournament Winner (Futures)
Predict the winner of an entire series or tournament before it begins. These offer longer odds because the outcome is further away. IPL outright winner bets are particularly popular at the start of the season.
Man of the Match
Predict which player will be named Man of the Match. This typically goes to the player with the most decisive individual performance, whether batting or bowling.
Toss Winner
A 50/50 bet on which captain wins the toss. While simple, the toss can heavily influence match outcomes, especially in T20 cricket where dew and pitch deterioration play major roles.
Cricket Betting by Format
Test Match Betting
Test matches run over five days, creating unique betting opportunities. The draw is a genuine third outcome (unlike T20s), and weather can significantly affect results. Key considerations include pitch deterioration (spinners tend to dominate on days 4-5), session-by-session batting conditions, and historical venue data. Test betting rewards patience and deep cricket knowledge.
ODI Betting
One Day Internationals offer a middle ground between Test and T20 betting. Matches last around 8 hours, giving you time to assess conditions before placing live bets. Total runs lines, top batsman, and match winner are the most popular ODI markets.
T20 Betting
T20 is the most popular cricket format for betting due to its fast pace and high variance. Matches last approximately 3 hours, odds swing dramatically on every ball, and momentum shifts can create significant live betting value. The IPL is by far the biggest T20 betting event – see our IPL Betting Guide 2026 for IPL-specific strategies.
Cricket Live Betting Tips
Live betting on cricket is where experienced bettors find the most value. Here is how to approach it:
React to the toss. The toss result can shift match winner odds by 10-20%, particularly at venues where chasing or defending has a clear statistical advantage. If you believe the pre-toss odds did not account for this correctly, the immediate post-toss window is your opportunity.
Watch the powerplay. In T20s, the first 6 overs set the tone. A team that scores 55+ in the powerplay is in a strong position. A team that loses 3+ wickets in the powerplay is in trouble. Odds adjust quickly after the powerplay, so if you spot value early, act on it.
Track run rates. Compare the current run rate to the required run rate in a chase. If the required rate climbs above 12 per over in a T20, the chasing team’s odds will drift significantly, potentially creating value if you believe they can still win.
Use the stats centre. Most sportsbooks offer real-time match statistics including wagon wheels, pitch maps, partnership graphs, and ball-by-ball commentary. Use this data to inform live bets rather than betting on instinct alone.
Consider cash out. If your pre-match bet is winning but the match is getting tight, use the early cashout option to lock in profit. A guaranteed ₹800 profit now is often better than risking a ₹1,000 profit that might evaporate in the last over.
Common Cricket Betting Mistakes
Betting on every match. The IPL has 74 matches, and bilateral series can run for weeks. You do not need to bet on every match. Wait for matches where you have a genuine edge or strong opinion.
Ignoring the venue. A team’s overall record matters less than their record at a specific ground. Check venue-specific stats before placing bets, especially for total runs and top batsman markets.
Chasing losses after a bad session. If your first two bets of the day lose, do not increase your stakes on the evening match trying to recover. This is the fastest way to empty your bankroll.
Overvaluing big names. A star player’s reputation does not guarantee performance on a given day. Current form, matchup against the specific bowling attack, and venue conditions matter more than career averages.
Ignoring weather forecasts. Rain can significantly affect cricket betting, especially in ODIs and Tests. A match reduced to a shortened format changes the dynamics entirely. Check the forecast before placing pre-match bets.
FAQs
What is the best sportsbook for cricket betting in India?
10Cric is the best dedicated cricket betting platform with up to 148 markets per IPL match. 1xBet covers the most cricket competitions globally (40+). Dafabet offers HD streaming and a cricket betting exchange. See our full comparison on the Best Betting Sites in India page.
How do cricket betting odds work?
Decimal odds show your total return per ₹1 staked. Odds of 1.75 mean a ₹1,000 bet returns ₹1,750 if you win. Lower odds indicate a higher probability of the outcome occurring. Odds move based on betting demand, team news, toss results, and in-play match developments.
What is the easiest cricket bet for beginners?
Match winner is the simplest starting point. Once comfortable, try over/under total runs, which requires understanding venue scoring trends but offers good value. Avoid complex markets like method of dismissal and session betting until you have more experience.
Can I bet on cricket live during the match?
Yes. All recommended sportsbooks offer live, in-play betting on cricket. Odds update ball by ball. Some sportsbooks (1xBet, Dafabet) also offer live streaming so you can watch and bet simultaneously.
Is cricket betting legal in India?
Using licensed offshore sportsbooks to bet on cricket is not specifically prohibited under Indian law. The same legal position applies to IPL, international, and domestic cricket betting. See our Best Betting Sites in India page for recommended licensed platforms.
What formats of cricket can I bet on?
You can bet on Test matches, ODIs, T20Is, franchise T20 leagues (IPL, Big Bash, PSL, CPL, The Hundred), domestic competitions (Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali), and women’s cricket. The IPL offers the deepest betting markets of any cricket competition.
Should I bet before the match or live?
Both have advantages. Pre-match bets let you analyse conditions calmly. Live bets let you react to the toss, early wickets, and momentum shifts. Many experienced cricket bettors place a smaller pre-match bet and then add live bets as the match develops.