How to Play Fantasy Cricket
Master the game with our comprehensive guide to rules, strategies, and expert tips
Getting Started
Creating your account and joining your first contest
Download and Register
Download the Lotus365 app from your device's app store or visit our website. Create an account by providing basic details like your name, email, and phone number. Verify your account through the confirmation link sent to your email.
Browse Upcoming Matches
Once registered, you'll see a list of upcoming cricket matches across various tournaments. Select a match that interests you. Each match will display the teams playing, match timing, and available contest types.
Create Your Team
Tap on a match to start building your team. You'll need to select 11 players from both teams within a 100 credit budget. Your team must include batsmen, bowlers, all-rounders, and a wicketkeeper according to the team composition rules.
Join Contests
After creating your team, browse through available contests. Lotus365 offers various contest formats with different entry requirements. Select a contest that matches your preference and confirm your participation.
Team Selection Rules
Your fantasy cricket team must follow specific composition rules that ensure balanced team creation. Understanding these requirements is essential for successful team building.
Team Size: 11 Players
Your team must consist of exactly 11 players selected from the two teams participating in the match.
Credit Limit: 100 Credits
You have a budget of 100 credits to spend on your 11 players. Each player is assigned a credit value based on their real-world performance and expected contribution.
Player Roles
Your team must include 1-4 Wicketkeepers, 3-6 Batsmen, 1-4 All-rounders, and 3-6 Bowlers. This ensures a balanced team composition that reflects real cricket team structures.
Team Distribution
You can select a maximum of 7 players from any one team. This ensures your fantasy team includes players from both teams participating in the match.
Captain and Vice-Captain
You must designate one player as Captain and another as Vice-Captain. Your Captain earns 2x points for all actions, while your Vice-Captain earns 1.5x points.
Scoring System
How players earn points for your fantasy team
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Run scored | +1 |
| Boundary bonus (4 runs) | +1 |
| Six bonus | +2 |
| 30 run milestone bonus | +4 |
| Half-century bonus (50 runs) | +8 |
| Century bonus (100 runs) | +16 |
| Duck (0 runs, except bowlers) | -2 |
Strike Rate Bonus/Penalty (T20 matches)
- Strike Rate 60-70: -2 points (min. 10 balls faced)
- Strike Rate below 60: -4 points (min. 10 balls faced)
- Strike Rate 130-150: +2 points (min. 10 balls faced)
- Strike Rate above 150: +4 points (min. 10 balls faced)
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Wicket (excluding run-out) | +25 |
| LBW/Bowled bonus | +8 |
| Maiden over | +12 |
| 3 wicket haul bonus | +4 |
| 4 wicket haul bonus | +8 |
| 5 wicket haul bonus | +16 |
| Wicket of a batsman who scored 25+ runs | +4 |
Economy Rate Bonus/Penalty (T20 matches)
- Economy Rate below 5: +6 points (min. 2 overs bowled)
- Economy Rate 5-6: +4 points (min. 2 overs bowled)
- Economy Rate 6-7: +2 points (min. 2 overs bowled)
- Economy Rate 10-11: -2 points (min. 2 overs bowled)
- Economy Rate 11-12: -4 points (min. 2 overs bowled)
- Economy Rate above 12: -6 points (min. 2 overs bowled)
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Catch | +8 |
| 3 catches bonus | +4 |
| Stumping | +12 |
| Run out (direct hit) | +12 |
| Run out (thrower or catcher) | +6 |
| Catch of a batsman who scored 25+ runs | +4 |
Fielding Notes
- For run-outs involving multiple fielders, points are divided among the players involved.
- Catches taken by substitute fielders earn points for the player they're substituting.
- Wicketkeepers earn the same points as other fielders for catches and run-outs.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Man of the Match | +12 |
| Player in winning team | +4 |
| 50+ partnership (each batsman) | +2 |
| 100+ partnership (each batsman) | +4 |
| Scoring a century in a lost match | +8 |
| Taking 5 wickets in a lost match | +8 |
| 30+ runs in a single over (bowler) | -6 |
Captain and Vice-Captain
Remember that your Captain earns 2x points for all actions, while your Vice-Captain earns 1.5x points. This makes your Captain and Vice-Captain selections crucial to your team's success.
Contest Types
Explore different contest formats on Lotus365
Practice Contests
Perfect for beginners, practice contests allow you to test your fantasy cricket skills without any entry requirements. These contests are ideal for understanding the platform and refining your team selection strategy.
Practice contests give you a risk-free environment to learn how player performances translate into fantasy points and experience the excitement of fantasy cricket.
Head-to-Head Contests
Challenge a single opponent directly in these one-on-one contests. You'll create your team and compete against one other participant, with the higher-scoring team claiming victory.
These contests are perfect for testing your skills against friends or specific opponents. They provide a direct competitive experience where your strategic decisions are measured against a single competitor's choices.
Leagues
Compete against multiple participants in league contests. These contests accommodate varying numbers of players, from small groups to thousands of participants, and can feature different ranking structures.
Leagues offer a broader competitive experience where your team is ranked against multiple teams. They test your ability to create a team that outperforms a wider field of competitors, often requiring unique team compositions to stand out.
Private Contests
Create custom contests and invite friends, family, or colleagues to compete. You can set specific criteria for these contests and share a unique code with those you wish to invite.
Private contests enhance the social aspect of fantasy cricket, allowing you to compete within your personal circle. They're perfect for office competitions, friend groups, or family leagues where you want a more personalized experience.
Winning Strategy Tips
Success in fantasy cricket requires more than luck—it demands strategic thinking, cricket knowledge, and careful analysis. Here are proven tips to help you build competitive teams.
Research Before Team Selection
Always research thoroughly before selecting your team. Check player form, recent performances, pitch conditions, weather forecast, and team news. Players who perform well in specific conditions or against particular opponents are valuable picks.
Pay attention to the toss result and team selections before finalizing your team, as these factors can significantly influence player performance.
Prioritize Player Roles
Select players based on their roles in their respective teams. Top-order batsmen typically have more opportunities to score runs, while bowlers who bowl in the death overs or powerplay have more wicket-taking opportunities.
For T20 matches, prioritize batsmen who bat in positions 1-4 and bowlers who bowl at crucial stages. In Test matches, openers and strike bowlers often accumulate more points.
Smart Captain Selection
Your captain selection can make or break your fantasy performance. Choose players with high scoring potential and consistent performance records. Consider all-rounders who can contribute in multiple categories, maximizing point opportunities.
For T20 matches, opening batsmen or all-rounders make excellent captain choices. In Test matches, consider strike bowlers or top-order batsmen with strong records in similar conditions.
Monitor Pitch and Weather
Pitch conditions significantly impact player performance. On batting-friendly pitches, prioritize batsmen and attacking bowlers. On bowling-friendly tracks, invest more in quality bowlers.
Weather conditions also matter—overcast conditions typically favor fast bowlers, while dry pitches often assist spinners, especially as the match progresses. Adjust your team composition based on these factors.
Balance Credit Allocation
Don't spend too many credits on a few star players at the expense of overall team balance. Distribute your credits strategically across all positions to create a balanced team.
Look for undervalued players who might outperform their credit value. These "differential picks" can give you an edge over competitors who opt for more obvious choices.
Consider Match Context
The match context matters when selecting players. In must-win games, experienced players often step up. In dead rubbers or less consequential matches, teams might experiment with lineups, giving opportunities to newer players.
For tournament matches, be aware of team standings and motivations. Teams fighting for qualification often field their strongest lineups and players tend to perform with greater determination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lotus365 fantasy cricket gameplay
Can I change my team after the contest begins?
No, once a cricket match begins, you cannot make changes to your team for that particular contest. All team selections must be finalized before the scheduled match start time. This is why proper research and preparation before the deadline are crucial to fantasy cricket success.
What happens if a match is abandoned or postponed?
If a match is abandoned without any play (due to rain or other circumstances) or officially postponed, all related contests are typically voided. If the match is shortened (like in a rain-affected game) but an official result is declared, the fantasy contest proceeds with points calculated based on the actual play that occurred.
How do points work for substitute players?
Substitute players (who weren't in the original playing XI but come in as concussion or injury substitutes) do not earn fantasy points. Only the performances of the official starting players count toward your team's points. This includes super-sub players in certain tournament formats. However, if a substitute fielder takes a catch, the points are awarded to the player they're substituting.
Can I create multiple teams for the same match?
Yes, on Lotus365 you can create multiple teams for the same match. This allows you to try different strategies or player combinations. However, each team must be entered separately into contests, and you can use a maximum of one team per contest unless otherwise specified in the contest rules.
How are tied scores handled in head-to-head contests?
In case of a tie in head-to-head contests (when both teams score exactly the same points), the result is determined by a tiebreaker system. The tiebreaker evaluates team composition based on specific criteria, including the number of all-rounders, bowlers, wicketkeepers, and batsmen in that order. If teams remain tied across all categories, the contest may be declared a draw.
When are points updated during a match?
Points are updated live during the match on Lotus365. As players score runs, take wickets, or complete other point-scoring actions, your team's score is updated in real-time. This allows you to track your team's performance as the match progresses. Final point verification and adjustments may occur after the match concludes to ensure accuracy.
Cricket Strategy On The Go
Download the Lotus365 app today and transform your cricket watching experience. Our intuitive mobile platform lets you build strategic teams, analyze player performance, and compete based on your cricket knowledge.
- Customizable player stats dashboard
- Head-to-head player comparison tools
- Pitch and weather condition analysis
- Available for both Android and iOS devices
Connect With Our Team
Our dedicated support specialists are cricket enthusiasts just like you. We understand the game and our platform inside out, making us perfectly equipped to solve any issues or answer questions you might have.
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