Last Updated on 9 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: How many people play fantasy cricket in India? | A look at the growth of fantasy cricket in India

By the end of 2022, India will be home to approximately 150 million fantasy sports players. According to a survey by Indiacasinoinfo.com in 2020, 71% of fantasy players participate in cricket, which is easily the most popular. Football is next with 54%.

A look at the growth of fantasy cricket in India in the digital age

Cricket’s foray into fantasy sport can be traced back to 2001. ESPN launched its Super Selector platform, which had approximately 500,000 users during the 2003 Cricket World Cup, won by Australia in South Africa.

Nearly 20 years later, Dream11, India’s leading fantasy platform, became the title sponsor of IPL 2020, beating some of India’s leading technology companies to the post. The rise of smartphones and COVID-induced lockdowns saw a significant shift towards gaming, with growth of 40% in 2020.

In fact, fantasy cricket was gaining significant traction even prior to the pandemic. A report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) revealed that fantasy sports grew by more than 100% in 2019, representing remarkable growth as fans have taken to the added dimension fantasy sports gives to the viewing experience.

How does fantasy cricket work?

If you have never played fantasy cricket before, it is quite a simple concept. For each match, you pick a team of 11 players whom you think will perform well. Points are awarded for a player’s performance (i.e. runs, wickets, catches), and the better a player performs, the more points you can earn.

Typically, you need to pick a minimum of one wicket-keeper, three batters, one all-rounder and three bowlers.

What are the risks associated with fantasy cricket?

Because players invest money in the fantasy app with the aim of winning more prize money, there is a financial risk involved. If done responsibly, fantasy cricket can a fun and rewarding experience. However, if not enough care is taken on the part of the player, it can be quite stressful.

To minimise the risk of significant financial and mental harm, it is important all players follow these tips:

• Don’t simply choose all matches in the hope of winning. Pick the matches you are most confident in.
• Don’t place all your money in one contest. Spread your funds around in a strategic manner to give yourself a better chance of success.
• Set a spending limit and stick to it.
• Research. Take the time to become familiar with head-to-head stats, player matchups, pitch conditions and more. CricBlog’s comprehensive fantasy cricket previews can help you make some informed decisions.

The rise of fantasy cricket has certainly changed the viewing experience for fans. With the appropriate research and understanding of the game, fantasy cricket provides an opportunity for fans to gain even more knowledge on cricket. And it will only continue.