Cricket Betting – A Complete Beginner’s Guide for 2025
Cricket is one of the most loved sports at the moment, and betting on it has become an integral part of entertainment for millions. Even if you’ve never bet before, understanding the mechanics is easy: you need to understand the match formats, basic bet markets, and the key factors that influence the outcome.
That’s why we have prepared this detailed guide at cricket-betting.com.in. You’ll learn what cricket formats there are, how popular betting markets work, what to look for when analyzing a match, and how to approach live betting wisely.
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Basics of Cricket Betting
Cricket is a team sport with a rich history, where the outcome depends on strategy, the skill of the players, weather conditions, and even the pitch surface. Before moving on to betting, it is important to understand the match formats and how they are structured.
Cricket Formats
Structure
Cricket Formats
There are several cricket formats, but three of them are the most popular. Take a look at their brief description to get acquainted:
Test matches – The classic cricket format, in which matches can last up to 5 days. Each team plays two innings. Due to the duration, it gives more time for bettors to analyse;
ODI (One Day International) – One match lasts about 7-8 hours, each team has 50 overs. A clear structure allows you to bet on the result, individual performance, and totals;
T20 (Twenty20) – The fastest format, with only 20 overs per team. The match lasts about 3 hours. It is suitable for those who like dynamics and high odds.
A structure of cricket matches
One team starts in attack (batting), the other in defense (bowlers and fielders). The task of batsmen is to score as many runs as possible, while the task of bowlers is to knock out opponents and not let them score points.
Popular Cricket Betting Markets
When you bet on cricket, it is important to understand what events can be predicted and how the basic sports markets work. Most of them are available both pre-match and live. Here are the key betting markets that beginners usually start with and that experienced bettors value:
Match Winner
The simplest sports market. You select the team that you think will win. In Test matches, there may be a draw. If this is the case, your bet on the winner is lost, unless the “draw no bet” sports market was selected;
Draw No Bet
A bet on one of the sides to win, but with a refund if there is a draw. The odds are usually low, but there is less risk;
Team Top Batsman
A bet on the player who will score the most runs for his team. You can catch high odds, but it is usually very difficult to guess right;
Team Top Bowling
You try to guess a cricketer who will make the most wickets. This sports market is suitable for those who know the strengths of the team well;
Total Runs / Inning total
The bookmaker offers a line, for example, 145.5. Your task is to guess whether the total points will be higher or lower than the specified value. You can try to guess the result for the entire match or individual phases;
Series Winner
You need to predict who will win the series (2-5 matches in a row);
Series Score
Guess the final series score, for example, 3:2. It is suitable for those who follow the entire tournament dynamics;
Method of dismissal
An interesting bet: predict how the next batsman will be dismissed (e.g., Bowled, Caught, LBW, or Run Out);
Most Sixes/Fours
A bet on who will score the most boundaries. You can choose a team or an individual player;
Highest Opening
Pick which of the two starting pairs will show the best result at the beginning of the match;
Man of the Match
Predicting the best player of the match. The odds are always high, as the choice is large.
Live Cricket Betting Explained
Live mode is one of the most exciting ones for cricket betting. Unlike pre-match betting, here the player can bet on what is happening right during the match, adjusting to real-time changes, player injuries, or weather conditions.
Cricket is ideal for live betting: matches are long, the phases of the match are staged, and the odds often fluctuate depending on the result of each over. Here are some other advantages of live betting on cricket that we can highlight:
Flexibility
You can change your mind and adjust your strategy depending on what is happening;
Variety of sports markets
Before the pre-match sports markets, specific ones for live bets are offered, like who will be batted next, or how many runs will be scored in the next over;
High Volatility
Due to possible sudden changes in the match (such as quick wickets or sixes), the odds may change rapidly, which gives opportunities to catch high values.
Examples of Live Betting Markets
In addition to pre-match sports markets, there are in-play ones. If you plan to bet on a match after it has started, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the main ones:
Next batsman out;
Method of dismissal;
Runs in over;
Innings result;
Live handicap betting.
Basic Tips for Beginners Before Betting on Cricket
To successfully bet on cricket, simply understanding the rules is not enough. It is important to consider many factors that may influence the outcome of a match. Below are key tips from our professional experts to help you avoid common mistakes and make more informed sports predictions.
Statistics
Condition of the pitch
Weather
Don’t confuse formats
Terms and conditions
Analyze the statistics
Cricket is a game of numbers. Almost every action on the field is reflected in statistics, be it a player’s run average, a bowler’s strike rate, or a team’s results at a particular arena. Pay your attention to:
Batting and bowling averages;
The form teams in recent matches;
Head-to-head records of teams;
Efficiency in certain formats (Test, ODI, or T20).
Consider the condition of the pitch
The pitch (playing surface) has a direct impact on the course of the match. A dry, hard pitch will usually favor the batsmen, while a wet, crumbling pitch will favour the bowlers. Consider the following facts:
Who won the toss and chose to bat or bowl first;
Pre-match analyst comments on the pitch;
How the ball’s behavior changes with each passing day (if this is a Test match).
Keep an eye on the weather
Weather conditions are critical, especially for Test and ODI formats. Heavy rain can stop or affect play, while cloudy weather often favors the bowlers. Here are some things to consider:
Precipitation and wind forecast;
The effect of sunlight on pitching;
The effect of humidity on ball movement.
In some cases, a match may be abandoned or ended early – it’s best to plan for these situations in advance.
Don’t confuse formats
Different formats require slightly different skills from cricketers. That is why teams can be strong in one format and weak in another. For example:
India can dominate T20I matches but frequently loses in the Test format;
Australia is consistently strong in ODIs but can lose form in longer series like Test matches.
Always look at the team’s stats and form in a given match format and consider all the peculiarities.
Check the bookmaker’s terms and conditions
Different bookmakers offer different rules for settling bets. For example, some refund money in the event of a draw, while others do not. Rules may also vary depending on whether the match is completed or shortened due to weather.
How to Choose a Reliable Bookmaker for Cricket Betting
Choosing the right betting site is half the battle, especially if you want to be comfortable with depositing, withdrawing winnings, and having access to live cricket betting. Below are the key criteria for bettors to look for when choosing a bookmaker:
Reliable payment methods support
The bookmaker should allow you to bet and manage your account via familiar banking tools. This will make your financial transactions safe;
License and legality
Be sure to check for an international license (for example, Curacao or MGA). This is a guarantee that you are betting on a trusted and regulated site;
Live tab and match streams
Ideally, the site should have live streams of matches or at least detailed statistics in real time. This is especially important for those who place live bets;
Access to a mobile version or application
Betting from a phone has long been the standard. It is better to choose sites that have a convenient mobile application or at least an adapted version of the site;
Transparent bonus conditions
Not all bonuses are equally beneficial. Pay attention to the wagering size and restrictions for cricket bets.
FAQ
What cricket format is best for a beginner to start with betting?
It is recommended to start with One Day International (ODI) or T20 matches. They are shorter, more dynamic, and easier to analyze than Test series.
What are the most popular sports markets for cricket?
The most common betting markets are the team to win, top batsman, top bowler, total runs, total fours, total sixes, as well as live betting markets like “next man out”.
How to understand which cricket bets are promising?
You need to study the form of the teams, consider the statistics of players, take into account the weather conditions, and the type of pitch. The more data, the more accurate the sports prediction.
Can I place cricket bets from my smartphone?
Yes, most modern bookmakers support mobile sites and applications for Android/iOS. This is convenient for real-time betting and tracking the result.
Our Beginner’s Guides
Cricket is one of the most loved sports at the moment and betting on it has become an integral part of entertainment for millions. Read our other guides and place your bets.
Asian Handicaps Explained
Asian Handicap is a popular sports market that serves as an alternative to the traditional 1×2.
Cricket is in high demand in terms of betting, and thousands of bettors place bets on matches held within the IPL, T20 World Cup, and tens of other tournaments every day.
