Cricket, with its rich history and diverse formats, offers a plethora of betting opportunities for enthusiasts. From international tournaments to domestic leagues, the sport's global appeal ensures a continuous stream of events to engage with. This guide delves into the various betting markets available, equipping you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and enhance your betting experience.
Cricket Leagues and Cup Competitions Outright Betting Markets
Outright betting involves predicting the outcome of an entire tournament or league. These bets are typically placed before the competition begins, but many bookmakers offer updated odds as the event progresses. Here are some common outright betting markets:
1. To Win Outright: Betting on the team you believe will win the entire tournament. For example, wagering on India to win the ICC Cricket World Cup.
2. To Reach the Playoff: Predicting that a team will advance to the playoff stage of a tournament. For instance, betting on Australia to make it to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup.
3. To Reach the Final: Wagering on a team to progress to the final match of the competition, regardless of whether they win or lose the final.
4. Name the Finalist: Predicting the two teams that will compete in the final match. This bet requires accuracy in selecting both finalists.
5. Top Batsman (in League or Competition): Betting on the player who will score the most runs throughout the League or the tournament. For example, selecting Babar Azam as the top run-scorer in the PSL.
6. Top Bowler (in League or Competition): Wagering on the player who will take the most wickets during the competition. For instance, backing Rashid Khan to be the leading wicket-taker in the IPL.
Test Match Series Outright
Test matches are the longest format of cricket, played over five days, and are considered the game's most traditional form.
Betting markets for Test series include:
7. Series Winner: Predicting which team will win the Test series. For example, betting on England to win the Ashes against Australia.
8. Series Correct Score: Wagering on the exact final scoreline of the series, such as 3-1 in favor of India.
9. Series Double Chance: Betting on two possible outcomes for the series, increasing the chances of a win. For instance, backing either a draw or a win for South Africa.
10. Series Draw No Bet: Placing a bet on a team to win the series, with the stake returned if the series ends in a draw.
Cricket Match Betting Markets
Match betting focuses on individual games, offering a wide array of markets to choose from. Major bookmakers provide numerous options for each match, especially in prominent leagues like the IPL.
Most Popular Markets
11. To Win Match: Betting on which team will win the match. In limited-overs formats, this is straightforward, but in Test matches, a draw is also a possible outcome.
12. Match Handicap: Applying a handicap to one team to level the playing field, often used when there's a perceived imbalance between the teams.
13. Total Match Runs Over/Under: Bet on the combined runs scored by both teams in the match. For instance, Over/Under 319.5 total runs.
14. Top Match Batter: Betting on the player who will score the most runs in the match.
15. Top Match Bowler: Wagering on the player who will take the most wickets in the match.
16. 1st Wicket Method: Predicting how the first wicket of the match will fall, such as caught, bowled, LBW, etc.
Team Performances
17. Team to Make Highest 1st 6 Overs Score: Betting on which team will score the most runs in the first six overs of their innings.
18. Each Team - Top Batter: Betting on the top run-scorer for each team in the match.
19. Each Team - Top Bowler: Wagering on the leading wicket-taker for each team in the match.
20. Most Match Sixes: Predict which team will hit the most sixes during the match. Ties may be settled as dead heat or with specific odds depending on the bookmaker.
21. Most Match Fours: Similar to the sixes market, but for fours. Bettors who follow technical batters may find value here.
22. Most Run Outs (Fielding): Bet on which team will cause more run outs in the field. This market is particularly interesting in high-pressure matches where quick singles are risky.
Player Props
23. Player of the Match: Betting on the player who will be named Man of the Match.
24. Batter Milestones: Predicting specific achievements by a batsman, such as scoring a half-century (50 runs), a century (100 runs), or hitting a certain number of fours or sixes.
25. Bowler Milestones: Wagering on a bowler to achieve milestones like taking five wickets in an innings or reaching a specific wicket count in the match.
26. Each Player Runs Over/Under: Wager on whether an individual batter will score over or under a specified number of runs. For example, “Over 34.5 runs by Virat Kohli.”
27. Highest Individual Score: Predict which player will record the highest number of runs in the match. Available as a head-to-head option or across all players.
28. Highest Individual Score - Each Team Over/Under: Bet on whether the highest individual score by a player in each team will go over or under a specified total (e.g., Over/Under 67.5 runs).
29. Player to Score Most 6s - Team: Choose which player within a team will hit the most sixes in the match. Ideal for matches with multiple power hitters.
30. Player to Score Most Match 6s: Wager on the player (from either team) who will hit the most sixes in the match. Tends to feature big-hitting names at the top of the market.
31. Player to Score Most 4s - Team: Predict the player within a team who will score the most fours. A popular market for fans of technically sound, ground-stroke players.
32. Player to Score Most Match 4s: Same as above, but across both teams. Often includes specialist openers or anchors who rack up runs with placement rather than power.
33. Bowler Total Match Wickets: Bet on how many wickets a specific bowler will take during the match. Options usually presented as Over/Under totals (e.g., Over 1.5).
34. Player Head-to-Head - Race to X Runs: Pick between two batters to see who will reach a given number of runs first (e.g., Race to 30). If neither reaches the target, the market may void.
1st Over/Innings Betting
35. 1st Over Total Runs: Bet on how many runs will be scored in the first over of the match. Often listed as Over/Under with small margins (e.g., Over 5.5).
36. 1st Over of Match - 4 Scored Team: Wager on whether a team will score a boundary four during the first over. A simple yes/no proposition with quick results.
37. 1st Over of Match - 6 Scored Team: Similar to the above, but focused on whether a six will be hit in the first over — much less common but higher in odds.
38. 1st Over of Match - Boundary Scored Team: Bet on whether a boundary (four or six) will be scored by a team in the first over. Ideal for those expecting an aggressive start.
39. Wicket in 1st Over - Team: Wager on whether a team will lose a wicket in the very first over. Often a high-odds market, it appeals to those anticipating early breakthroughs.
40. 1st Over - Total Runs Odd/Even: Predict whether the total number of runs scored in the first over will be an odd or even number. A quick-result market with balanced odds.
41. 1st Innings Score: Betting on the total number of runs a team will score in their first innings.
42. 1st Innings of Match - Bowled Out? Yes/No: Wager on whether a team will lose all 10 wickets during the first innings, regardless of how many overs are left. Works well in longer formats.
Statistics Betting
43. Match Fours Total Over/Under: Predict the total number of boundaries scored in the form of fours during the match. Popular in fast-paced formats like T20.
44. Match Sixes Total Over/Under: Bet on the total number of sixes scored in the match. This is another favorite among T20 fans, where power hitting dominates.
45. Match Boundaries Total Over/Under: A combined market for both fours and sixes hit in the match. Offers a broader perspective on aggressive batting play.
46. Runs at Fall of 1st Wicket: Predicting the number of runs a team will have scored when they lose their first wicket.
47. A Fifty to Be Scored: Predict whether any player in the match will score a half-century (50 runs or more). Can also be offered on a per-team basis.
48. A Hundred to Be Scored: Similar to the Fifty market, but for a century (100 runs or more). Typically offered in ODIs and Tests, where innings are longer.
49. Total Run Outs: Predict the total number of run outs that will occur in the entire match. Offered as an Over/Under line, often set around 1.5 or 2.5 depending on the format.
50. Most Runs in a Single Over: Predict how many runs will be scored in the highest-yielding over of the match. Often presented as Over/Under markets (e.g., Over 18.5).
51. Number of Wickets Caught in Match: Bet on the total number of wickets that will be caught (rather than bowled, LBW, etc.) during the match. Typically high in limited-overs formats.
52. Match - Runs in 1st X Overs: Bet on the number of runs scored by a team in the first set of overs (e.g., first 6, 10, or 15). Ideal for formats like T20s with aggressive starts.
53. Match - Runs Off X Delivery: Predict how many runs will be scored off a specific delivery (e.g., the 1st, 100th, or 120th ball of the match). A niche, quick-result market.
Others
54. To Win the Toss: Betting on which team will win the pre-match coin toss.
55. Toss/Bat Flip and Match Result: Combining predictions for the toss result and the match outcome. For example, betting on Team A to win the toss and the match.
56. Highest Opening Partnership: Predicting which team's opening pair will score the most runs before the first wicket falls.
57. 1st Scoring Shot of the Match: Wager on what the first scoring shot of the match will be — options usually include single, boundary (four or six), or even extras like wides.
58. First Match Ball to Be a Dot: Will the first delivery of the match result in no runs? This simple yes/no bet is fun and settles within seconds of the match starting.
59. Six Boundaries in an Over - Match: Bet on whether any over in the match will feature six boundary shots (fours or sixes). A rare but exciting outcome, especially in T20s.
60.To Go to Super Over?: Wagering on whether the match will be tied and decided by a Super Over.
Conclusion
As you can see, cricket betting offers an incredibly wide range of markets, from predicting match outcomes and individual player milestones to specific in-game moments like the method of first wicket or performance in the opening over.
Whether you’re a fan of T20s, ODIs, or Test matches, online bookmakers provide countless ways to get involved and maximize your enjoyment of the game. Understanding these betting options not only boosts your entertainment but also improves your betting strategy and decision-making.
Good luck and enjoy your cricket gambling around the betting planet!
