Year-Round Fantasy Cricket: What to Play After the IPL
The IPL is the highlight of the fantasy cricket calendar — but cricket doesn’t stop when the final’s over. There’s high-quality cricket to play fantasy on almost all year round, which means you can keep your skills sharp and keep enjoying contests between seasons. This guide explains what to play after the IPL and how to stay match-fit as a fantasy player. For IPL-specific strategy, see our IPL fantasy cricket guide.
Cricket runs all year
After the IPL, the international calendar keeps going with bilateral series across formats, alongside franchise T20 leagues in different countries and domestic competitions. Between them there’s almost always a match to follow — which is great news for fantasy players who want to keep playing and improving rather than waiting a full year for the next IPL.
What you can play after the IPL
International series
T20Is, ODIs and Tests between nations — different formats, different strategy.
Franchise T20 leagues
T20 leagues run in various countries through the year — familiar, fast fantasy.
Domestic cricket
National domestic tournaments offer plenty of contests and rising talent to spot.
Global events
In some years, ICC tournaments bring the biggest fantasy stages of all.
Adjust your strategy by format
The biggest shift between IPL and the rest of the year is format. After a season of T20s, an ODI or Test series rewards different players — top-order accumulators, frontline bowlers and patient all-rounders. Our T20 vs ODI vs Test strategy guide covers exactly how to adapt, so you don’t take a T20 mindset into a Test.
Use the off-peak to improve
Quieter periods are perfect for sharpening the skills that win in any season:
- Review what worked during the IPL and where your captain calls went wrong.
- Practise reading pitch reports for unfamiliar grounds.
- Get comfortable valuing all-rounders across formats.
- Play free practice contests on series you’d normally skip — new conditions teach new lessons.
Follow lesser-known cricket for an edge
One underrated advantage of year-round play: in smaller series and leagues, fewer players do deep research, so diligent preparation goes further. Studying form and conditions for a less-hyped fixture can give you a bigger edge than another crowded IPL contest.
Keep playing all year
Create your free Lotus365 ID and find a contest in any season.
Keep learning
Master format strategy, our 12 tips, captain picks and the points system, or revisit the IPL fantasy guide and playoffs strategy. Prefer football? Try fantasy football. Create your Lotus365 ID to begin.
FAQs
What can I play fantasy cricket on after the IPL?
International series across formats, franchise T20 leagues in various countries, domestic competitions, and ICC events in some years.
Does fantasy strategy change outside the IPL?
Yes — mainly by format. ODIs and Tests reward top-order accumulators, frontline bowlers and patient all-rounders more than T20 hitters.
How do I improve between seasons?
Review your IPL results, practise reading pitch reports, value all-rounders across formats, and play free contests on series you’d normally skip.
Is there an advantage to smaller tournaments?
Yes — fewer players research them deeply, so diligent preparation can give you a bigger edge.
Can I play fantasy cricket all year on Lotus365?
There’s high-quality cricket almost year-round, so you can keep entering fantasy contests between IPL seasons.
Is year-round fantasy fantasy cricket?
No. It’s building virtual teams and scoring on real performances — a game of skill, with no wagering.
