Cricket betting

Cricket Betting

Cricket betting is one of the biggest sports wagering markets in the world, with odds available on Test matches, One Day Internationals, T20 internationals, domestic competitions, franchise leagues and major ICC tournaments. From the Indian Premier League and Big Bash League to The Ashes and the Cricket World Cup, punters can find cricket markets across the year.

The sport is popular with bettors because it offers so many different ways to wager. You can bet on match winners, innings runs, top batters, top bowlers, total sixes, player performance, series results, tournament futures and live betting markets that shift ball by ball.

This BettingPlanet cricket betting guide explains how to compare bookmakers, which bet types are most common, how different formats affect the market, and what to check before placing your next cricket wager.


Top cricket betting sites online 2026

Recommended Bookmakers for Cricket

The best cricket betting sites should offer markets across Test cricket, ODIs, T20 internationals, domestic leagues, franchise tournaments and major ICC events. A strong cricket bookmaker should also provide live betting, player props, innings markets, futures, mobile betting and competitive odds on both major and smaller fixtures.

When comparing cricket bookmakers, look for market depth rather than only the headline match-winner price. Good cricket betting sites usually cover top run scorer, top wicket taker, total runs, total wickets, sixes, fours, player performance, partnership markets, innings runs, method of next dismissal and match specials.

Cricket is also a strong sport for promotions. Bookmakers may offer free bets, odds boosts, bonus-back specials, parlay offers and tournament promotions around major events such as The Ashes, the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League, the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Most leading betting sites now support mobile cricket betting, which is useful for live wagering during long Test sessions, fast-moving T20 matches and major tournament games. For payment options, visit our guide to online betting site deposits.


Cricket bet types explained

Cricket offers more betting variety than many sports because every match contains team markets, innings markets, player markets and live in-play options. The available markets will depend on the format, the teams involved and the importance of the match.

  • Match winner is the simplest cricket betting market. You pick which team will win the game.

    In limited-overs cricket, this is usually a two-way market unless a tie or no-result market is listed separately. In Test cricket, the draw is usually a major part of the market.

  • Cricket futures are long-term markets on series and tournaments. Popular futures include tournament winner, series winner, top run scorer, top wicket taker and player of the tournament.

    Major futures markets are common for The Ashes, ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Indian Premier League and Big Bash League.

  • Draw no bet is most relevant to Test matches and first-class cricket. You pick a team to win, but your stake is returned if the match is drawn.

    This market is useful when you like one team but want protection against rain, flat pitches, bad light or slow scoring rates.

  • Double chance betting lets you cover two of the three possible Test match outcomes. For example, you may be able to back Team A or draw, Team B or draw, or either team to win.

    This can be useful in Test cricket where a draw is a realistic result.

  • Top batter and top bowler markets ask which player will score the most runs or take the most wickets for a team, innings, match, series or tournament.

    These markets require research into batting order, bowling role, pitch conditions, player form and match format.

  • Total runs and wickets markets focus on team or innings numbers. You might bet over or under a team’s first-innings runs, total match runs, wickets lost after a set number of overs or runs in a powerplay.

    These markets are heavily influenced by pitch, weather, ground size, batting depth and bowling quality.

  • Sixes and boundaries markets are popular in T20 cricket and one-day matches. Bettors can wager on total sixes, team sixes, player sixes, total fours or whether a player will hit a six.

    Smaller grounds, short boundaries, power hitters and flat pitches can all affect these markets.

  • Player performance markets combine multiple statistical categories into one score. A batter may earn points for runs, catches and other contributions, while all-rounders can score through batting, bowling and fielding.

    These markets are useful when a player can influence the match in more than one way.

Some bookmakers also offer exotic cricket markets such as highest opening partnership, first over runs, team to win the toss, method of first dismissal, first wicket fall, innings lead, player to hit a six, man of the match and runs after a set number of overs.


Cricket formats and how they affect betting

Cricket betting changes heavily depending on the format. A strong T20 betting angle may not work in Test cricket, while ODI markets sit somewhere between the two. Before betting, always check the format, venue, playing conditions and team balance.

FormatBetting notes
Test cricketPlayed over up to five days. Draws, weather, pitch wear, team balance, spin bowling and batting depth are major factors.
One Day InternationalsLimited to 50 overs per side. Toss, pitch, batting order, death bowling and middle-over control are important.
Twenty20 cricketFast, high-variance format. Powerplay runs, sixes, wickets, death overs and all-rounders can shape betting markets.
Domestic first-class cricketSimilar to Test cricket, but team rotation and player availability can matter more.
Franchise T20 leaguesMarkets often focus on power hitters, overseas stars, all-rounders, bowling matchups and venue trends.

In Test cricket, the draw is often a serious betting result. In T20 cricket, individual overs and player roles become more important because the match can swing quickly. ODI betting usually rewards bettors who understand both long innings construction and late-over hitting.


Best competitions for cricket betting

There is almost always cricket to bet on somewhere in the world. International series, ICC tournaments, domestic first-class competitions and franchise T20 leagues create a year-round betting calendar for cricket punters.

Competition typePopular examples
International cricketICC World Test Championship, ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, The Ashes, bilateral Test and white-ball series.
Franchise T20 leaguesIndian Premier League, Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, SA20, The Hundred, Bangladesh Premier League, Major League Cricket, International League T20.
Domestic first-class cricketCounty Championship, Sheffield Shield, Plunket Shield, Ranji Trophy and other red-ball competitions.
Domestic one-day cricketMetro Bank One Day Cup, Australia’s One-Day Cup, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ford Trophy and regional 50-over tournaments.
Women’s cricketWomen’s Cricket World Cup, Women’s T20 World Cup, Women’s Premier League, Women’s Big Bash League and international series.

The Indian Premier League is one of the biggest cricket betting competitions in the world, while Australia’s Big Bash League is a major summer betting product. International cricket remains popular through events such as the Cricket World Cup and The Ashes.


Live cricket betting

Live cricket betting is popular because odds change after almost every ball. Wickets, boundaries, dot balls, bowling changes, rain delays, pitch behaviour and required run rates can all move the market instantly.

In T20 cricket, live betting can focus on powerplay runs, innings totals, wickets, sixes, next over runs and match winner. In Test cricket, live betting often revolves around draw odds, session runs, innings totals, wickets and how the pitch is changing over time.

Live cricket betting requires discipline. A team can look in control before losing two quick wickets, while a batting side chasing a big total can shorten rapidly after one strong over. Only bet live when you are watching closely and understand the match situation.

  • Live match winner
  • Next wicket
  • Runs in the next over
  • Innings runs over/under
  • Player runs
  • Total sixes
  • Wickets after a set number of overs
  • Session runs in Test cricket
  • Draw odds in Test cricket

Cricket betting strategy

Cricket betting strategy starts with understanding conditions. The same teams can produce very different results depending on pitch type, weather, ground size, toss result, team balance and match format.

  • Check the pitch: A flat batting wicket, green seamer or turning surface can completely change match odds and totals.
  • Watch the weather: Rain, humidity and cloud cover can affect swing bowling, draw chances and reduced-overs matches.
  • Understand the toss: Some venues heavily favour batting first or chasing, especially in day-night cricket or T20 matches.
  • Know the format: Test, ODI and T20 cricket require different betting approaches.
  • Follow team news: Rested bowlers, missing all-rounders and batting-order changes can move markets quickly.
  • Study venue history: Average scores, chasing records, boundary size and spin or pace trends all matter.
  • Use player roles: Openers, death bowlers, all-rounders and powerplay specialists can be valuable in player markets.
  • Compare odds: Cricket markets can vary between bookmakers, especially for props and futures.
  • Manage your bankroll: Cricket has long matches and volatile swings, so avoid chasing after wickets or late boundaries.

For wider betting fundamentals, read our guides to bankroll management, finding value in sports betting and common sports betting mistakes.


Cricket betting guides


Cricket betting FAQ

  • The easiest cricket bet for beginners is the match winner market, where you pick which team will win. In Test cricket, remember that the draw can also be part of the result.

  • Cricket futures are long-term bets on outcomes such as tournament winner, series winner, top run scorer, top wicket taker or player of the tournament.

  • Draw no bet lets you back a team to win while having your stake returned if the match is drawn. It is most common in Test cricket and first-class cricket.

  • Yes. Many bookmakers offer live cricket betting, including live match winner, innings runs, next wicket, player runs, total sixes and over-by-over markets.

  • Popular cricket competitions for betting include the Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, The Hundred, Caribbean Premier League, SA20, ICC events and major Test series such as The Ashes.

  • Check pitch conditions, weather, toss result, team news, batting order, bowling roles, venue history, recent form and the match format before placing a cricket bet.

  • Yes. T20 betting is faster and often focuses on runs, sixes, wickets and player roles. Test cricket betting puts more weight on draw odds, weather, pitch wear, sessions and long-form batting or bowling depth.

  • Cricket betting promotions are often available around major events such as The Ashes, IPL, Big Bash League and ICC tournaments. You can compare offers through BettingPlanet’s bookmaker tables and free bets guide.

Recommended Bookmakers for Cricket

17 Replies to “Cricket betting”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *