Pick an XI within a budget, choose your captain, and score points on real performances. The sharper your research, the better you do — this is skill, not betting.
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- T20 • ODI • Test
- Captain 2× points
- 100-credit budget
- Free practice contests
- 18+
Fantasy cricket lets you put your cricket knowledge to the test. You select a virtual team of real players within a fixed credit budget, and you score points based on how those players actually perform in a live match. Because the outcome depends on research and judgement rather than luck, fantasy cricket is recognised as a game of skill in India. This guide covers exactly how it works on Lotus365, the points system by format, how to build and captain a balanced XI, how to read conditions, and the mistakes that cost beginners contests. Following the IPL season? Our IPL fantasy cricket guide applies all of this to T20s.
How fantasy cricket works on Lotus365
- 1
Choose a match
Pick any upcoming fixture from international, league, or domestic cricket.
- 2
Build your team
Select 11 players from both sides within a 100-credit budget, respecting role limits.
- 3
Pick C & VC
Your captain scores 2× and vice-captain 1.5× — usually the decisive picks.
- 4
Join & track
Enter a free or skill contest and watch your team climb the live leaderboard.
You can pick a maximum of seven players from any one team, which forces you to spread risk across both sides. New to the format? Start with a free practice contest to learn the scoring before joining a paid skill contest.
Fantasy cricket points system (typical)
Scoring rewards every contribution — runs, wickets, catches, and economy. Weightings differ by format, so always confirm the exact scoring inside the app before locking your team. Our fantasy cricket points system explainer breaks down every category in full.
| Action | T20 | ODI | Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run scored | +1 | +1 | +1 |
| Boundary (four) bonus | +1 | +1 | +1 |
| Six bonus | +2 | +2 | +2 |
| Half-century bonus | +8 | +4 | +4 |
| Wicket (excl. run-out) | +25 | +25 | +16 |
| Maiden over | +12 | +4 | — |
| Catch | +8 | +8 | +8 |
Building a balanced XI
A winning team blends safe, consistent picks with one or two differentials that the crowd has overlooked. Use your credits wisely across the four roles:
| Role | Suggested count | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Batters | 3–5 | Top-order players who face the most balls |
| Bowlers | 3–5 | Wicket-takers and death-overs specialists |
| All-rounders | 1–3 | Dual scoring with bat and ball — maximum value |
| Wicket-keeper | 1–2 | Keepers who also bat in the top order |
All-rounders are the engine of most winning teams because they can score with both bat and ball — read more on why in our captaincy strategy guide.
Captaincy: where contests are won
Your captain earns double points and your vice-captain 1.5×, so these two choices often matter more than the other nine combined. Favour a player with a high, consistent floor — a reliable opener or a strike bowler who bowls in the powerplay and at the death — over a glamorous but inconsistent name. In T20s, top-order batters and wicket-taking bowlers make the safest captains; in Tests, all-rounders and frontline bowlers accumulate points across multiple sessions.
Reading conditions like a pro
Pitch
Green seamers favour pacers; dry, dusty tracks reward spinners and patient batters.
Toss
On deteriorating pitches, batting first is an edge — adjust your batters and bowlers.
Weather
Overcast skies aid swing; dew in night games can blunt spinners and help chasers.
Venue history
Some grounds are high-scoring; others favour bowlers. Check past results.
Advanced strategy: differentials, ownership and contest type
Once you understand the basics, two ideas separate good players from great ones. First, ownership: in large public contests, picking the same popular players as everyone else means you can only win by out-captaining the field. A well-judged differential — a lower-owned player you have a strong reason to back — can vault you up the leaderboard if it pays off. Second, contest selection: head-to-head and small-league contests reward steady, safe teams, while large multi-entry contests reward bold, high-ceiling line-ups. Match your team’s risk to the contest you enter, and never enter more than you can comfortably afford.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Picking on reputation, not form. A player in red-hot touch usually out-scores a bigger name who is struggling.
- Ignoring the lower order. Cheap finishers and keeper-batters often deliver value.
- Stacking one team. Spread risk across both sides unless conditions strongly favour one.
- Forgetting the deadline. Late team news — a rested star or an injury — can change everything.
- Emotional picks. Let data, not loyalty, drive your selections.
Fantasy cricket vs. betting — an important difference
Fantasy cricket is not betting. You are not wagering on a match result; you are assembling and managing a team, and points reward the depth of your cricket analysis. This skill element is exactly why fantasy sports are treated differently under Indian law — see is Lotus365 legal and safe. Lotus365 does not offer match betting, odds, or wagering of any kind.
Quick glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Credits | The virtual budget (usually 100) you spend to pick players |
| Differential | A low-ownership pick that can give you an edge |
| Floor / Ceiling | A player’s likely minimum / maximum points |
| Lineup lock | The deadline after which you cannot edit your team |
Put your cricket knowledge to work
Create your Lotus365 ID and join a free practice contest to learn the scoring first.
Keep learning
New to it? Start with fantasy cricket for beginners. Apply our 12 fantasy cricket tips, master scoring with the points system guide and captaincy with best captain picks, and learn to read a pitch report. Switch sports with the fantasy football guide, or sharpen your card skills at rummy and poker. Need an account? Create your Lotus365 ID and download the app. Back to the home page.
Fantasy cricket FAQs
Is fantasy cricket legal in India?
Fantasy sports are recognised as games of skill by Indian courts and are permitted for adults in most states. A few states restrict real-money formats — always check your local rules.
How many players can I pick from one team?
Up to seven of your eleven players may come from a single team, so you always have picks from both sides.
What is the budget for a fantasy cricket team?
You typically have 100 credits to spend across your XI, which forces trade-offs between premium and value picks.
Do I need to watch the whole match?
No, but tracking the game helps you learn. Points are calculated automatically from official match data.
Can beginners win?
Yes — start with free practice contests, learn the scoring, and improve your selections over time.
How important is the captain pick?
Very. The captain scores 2× and the vice-captain 1.5×, so these picks frequently decide who tops the leaderboard.
Is fantasy cricket free to play?
You can play free practice contests at no cost. Paid skill contests are optional and require completed KYC.
Is fantasy cricket the same as betting?
No. You build and manage a team and score on real performances — there is no wagering on a match result.