Betting on Cricket from India: the 2026 guide

Why cricket is the number one betting market for Indian players

No other sport comes close to cricket for Indian audiences. The Indian Premier League draws global attention every spring, the national team plays across all three formats throughout the year, and international series against Australia, England and Pakistan dominate conversation. That volume of matches means there is almost always something to bet on, whether it is a marquee IPL clash or a quiet bilateral ODI.

For bettors, this familiarity is a real edge. You already understand form, pitch conditions, team combinations and the rhythm of a chase. Cricket rewards that kind of reading far more than sports you only watch occasionally. It is also why cricket markets are the deepest and most competitive on the books we rank.

• Year-round schedule: IPL, internationals, domestic T20 leagues and ICC tournaments overlap through the calendar.
• Deep markets: pre-match, live and long-term bets on almost every fixture.
• Local knowledge counts: Indian bettors often know conditions and players better than global bookmakers assume.
• UPI and Paytm rails: deposits and withdrawals are built for Indian users on the sites we rank.

Which ranked sites cover cricket best

Across the sites we track for Indian players, cricket coverage varies widely. Some books treat it as a niche add-on. Others build their entire offering around it. The three below stand out for market depth, live coverage and payment convenience.

1xBet — the widest cricket book

1xBet is licensed in Curacao, and its cricket coverage is the broadest we review. You will find markets on the IPL, India national team fixtures and international series across formats, plus player-level and innings-level bets that other books often skip. The welcome bonus applies on the first deposit, and registration through a partner link attaches the offer automatically — there is no promo code to type in manually. Before withdrawing, identity verification (KYC) is required, so keep your documents ready early. The Android APK is installed from the official site, and there is an iOS app for iPhone users.

Melbet — solid cricket depth with fast UPI payouts

Melbet is a strong second choice for Indian cricket fans. Coverage of the IPL and international fixtures is reliable, live betting is smooth, and payouts via UPI and Paytm typically land quickly. It is a good fit if you want a clean interface and quick withdrawals without much fuss.

22Bet — broad sportsbook and cricket-friendly bonuses

22Bet rounds out the top three. Its cricket markets cover the major competitions well, and the sportsbook is broad enough that you can mix cricket with football or tennis if you want variety. Withdrawals via UPI or NetBanking are straightforward, and the welcome offer is a reasonable starting point for new players.

Main cricket bet types explained simply

Cricket betting can look complicated because there are so many markets. In practice, most bets fall into a handful of categories. Understanding these five will cover the vast majority of what you will see on a cricket page.

Match winner (moneyline)

The simplest bet: pick which team wins the match. In limited-overs cricket, a tie or no-result is usually a separate outcome, so read the market carefully. This is where most beginners start.

Top batter and top bowler

You pick the player who will score the most runs or take the most wickets in the match. These markets reward knowledge of form and conditions. An opener on a flat pitch in Mumbai is a very different proposition from a spinner in Delhi on a turning surface.

Total runs (over/under)

The bookmaker sets a projected total for the innings or match, and you bet on whether the actual score goes over or under that line. Pitch, weather and team selection all matter here.

Handicap and innings markets

Handicap bets give one team a virtual head start or deficit, which can produce better odds when one side is a heavy favourite. Innings-specific markets let you bet on just the first six overs, the powerplay, or a single team's total.

Live (in-play) betting

Live betting lets you place wagers while the match is running, with odds shifting ball by ball. It is the most exciting format and also the fastest way to lose control if you are not disciplined. We cover it in detail further down.

How to place your first cricket bet: step by step

1. Choose a ranked site such as 1xBet, Melbet or 22Bet and complete registration through the partner link so any welcome offer attaches automatically.
2. Deposit using UPI, Paytm, PhonePe or NetBanking — UPI is the fastest and most common option for Indian players.
3. Complete identity verification (KYC) early, especially on 1xBet, because it is required before withdrawal.
4. Open the cricket section, select the match, and choose a market such as match winner or top batter.
5. Enter your stake in Indian rupees, confirm the bet slip, and track the match live.

Practical tips for cricket betting beginners

Cricket rewards patience more than impulse. The bettors who do well over a season tend to be the ones who pick their spots, understand conditions, and treat betting as entertainment with a budget rather than a way to make a living.

• Start with match-winner and total-runs markets before moving to player props.
• Follow team news: late replacements and toss decisions can change the entire picture.
• Respect pitch and weather reports — a rain-affected match behaves very differently from a dry, flat deck.
• Track your bets in a simple notebook or spreadsheet so you know your real results.
• Avoid chasing losses by doubling stakes after a bad day. It rarely ends well.

Live betting on cricket: how to approach it

Live cricket betting is where the game feels most alive. Odds move with every ball, and a wicket or a couple of big overs can swing prices sharply. That volatility is the appeal — and the risk. On 1xBet and Melbet in particular, live cricket markets are deep, with options on the next over, next wicket and current partnership.

The key discipline in live betting is to have a plan before the match starts. Decide which situations you will bet on — for example, a wicket in the powerplay or a team chasing under a certain run rate — and stick to it. Reacting emotionally to a boundary or a dropped catch is how most live-betting bankrolls disappear.

Payments, currency and practical India notes

All the sites we rank accept Indian rupees and support the payment methods Indian players actually use. UPI, Paytm and PhonePe are the default deposit rails, with NetBanking as a reliable backup. Cards and crypto exist on some platforms but are secondary for most users. Withdrawals typically land within 15 minutes to 24 hours depending on the method and whether your KYC is already complete.

Legality, tax and staying on the right side of the rules

Online betting sits in a grey area in India. Rules differ by state, and many Indian players use internationally licensed sites that operate outside Indian jurisdiction. This guide does not claim betting is fully legal or illegal — the position depends on where you are and how you bet. What is clear is that winnings from online betting are taxable in India, and TDS may apply depending on your situation. Check the current rules with a qualified professional before assuming anything.

You must be 18 or older to bet. Betting carries real financial risk, and no strategy removes that risk entirely.

Responsible bankroll management for cricket bettors

Cricket has a long season, which is both an opportunity and a trap. A disciplined bankroll approach keeps you in the game without turning a hobby into a problem.

• Set a monthly betting budget that you can afford to lose entirely, and never top it up mid-month.
• Use a flat stake, such as a small percentage of your bankroll, rather than varying wildly per bet.
• Keep betting money separate from household and savings accounts.
• Take breaks, especially during long tournaments where it is easy to bet every day.
• If betting stops being fun, stop entirely and seek support.

Which site should Indian cricket fans choose?

If cricket is your main sport and you want the widest choice of markets — IPL, India internationals, player props and deep live betting — 1xBet is the clear first pick. It combines the broadest cricket coverage we review with a Curacao licence, an Android APK and an iOS app, and a welcome bonus on the first deposit. Just remember that KYC is required before withdrawal, so verify your account early.

Melbet is the strongest alternative for players who prioritise fast UPI payouts and a clean interface, while 22Bet suits anyone who wants a broad multi-sport book with cricket at its core. Any of the three will serve an Indian cricket bettor well.