How To Play Fantasy Cricket
A comprehensive guide to mastering fantasy cricket on The Pavilion. Learn the rules, strategies, and scoring system to build winning teams.
Getting Started
Fantasy cricket is a skill-based online game where you create a virtual team of real cricket players and earn points based on their actual performance in live matches. The better your selected players perform in real matches, the more points your fantasy team scores. Success in fantasy cricket requires cricket knowledge, statistical analysis, strategic thinking, and a bit of luck.
The Pavilion Fantasy Cricket provides a completely free platform to learn and practice these skills without any financial risk. Follow this comprehensive guide to understand how to play, build winning teams, and compete on our leaderboards.
Create Your Free Account
To start playing on The Pavilion, you need to create a free account. The registration process is simple and takes less than two minutes:
- Visit the Registration Page: Click the "Register" button in the top navigation menu
- Provide Your Information: Enter your full name, email address, date of birth, and state of residence
- Create a Password: Choose a strong, secure password for your account
- Verify Eligibility: Confirm that you are 18 years or older and not a resident of a restricted state
- Accept Terms: Read and accept our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Fair Play Policy
- Complete Registration: Click "Create Account" to finalize your registration
Once registered, you can immediately start exploring matches, building teams, and participating in contests. No payment information is required at any point.
Select a Match
After logging in, navigate to the "Select Matches" page to view all upcoming cricket matches available for fantasy contests. Matches include international fixtures (Tests, ODIs, T20Is), domestic tournaments (IPL, Ranji Trophy, etc.), and major leagues (Big Bash, CPL, etc.).
Each match listing displays:
- Teams Playing: The two teams competing in the match
- Match Format: Test, ODI, T20, or other format
- Start Time: When the match begins (in your local timezone)
- Venue: The stadium and location where the match is being played
- Contest Deadline: The time by which you must submit your fantasy team (usually match start time)
Choose a match that interests you and click "Create Team" to begin building your fantasy squad.
Build Your Fantasy Team
Building your fantasy team is the most critical and strategic part of the game. You must select 11 players from the two teams playing in the match, following specific composition rules:
Team Composition Rules
- Total Players: Exactly 11 players must be selected
- Wicketkeepers: Minimum 1, Maximum 4
- Batsmen: Minimum 3, Maximum 6
- All-Rounders: Minimum 1, Maximum 4
- Bowlers: Minimum 3, Maximum 6
- Players from Each Team: Minimum 4 players from each of the two teams
Player Selection Strategy
When selecting players, consider the following factors:
- Recent Form: Players who have been performing well in recent matches are more likely to score points
- Match Conditions: Consider pitch conditions, weather, and venue history. Some players perform better on certain types of pitches
- Head-to-Head Records: Check how players have performed against the opposing team in the past
- Playing XI Confirmation: Ensure your selected players are likely to be in the starting lineup
- Role in the Team: Players with multiple roles (batting and bowling all-rounders) often score more points
Captain and Vice-Captain
After selecting your 11 players, you must designate one player as Captain and another as Vice-Captain:
- Captain: Earns 2x points (double points) for their performance
- Vice-Captain: Earns 1.5x points for their performance
Choosing the right captain is crucial to maximizing your team's score. Select a player who is likely to have a significant impact on the match through batting, bowling, or both.
Submitting Your Team
Once you have selected all 11 players and assigned your captain and vice-captain, review your team and click "Submit Team." You can edit your team until the contest deadline (usually the match start time). After the deadline, your team is locked and cannot be changed.
Understanding the Scoring System
Points are awarded to your fantasy team based on the real-life performance of your selected players during the match. The scoring system varies slightly depending on the match format (Test, ODI, T20), but the core principles remain the same.
Batting Points
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Run scored | +1 point per run |
| Boundary (4 runs) | +1 bonus point |
| Six (6 runs) | +2 bonus points |
| Half-century (50 runs) | +8 bonus points |
| Century (100 runs) | +16 bonus points |
| Duck (out for 0) | -2 points |
Bowling Points
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Wicket taken | +25 points |
| 3 wickets (bonus) | +4 bonus points |
| 4 wickets (bonus) | +8 bonus points |
| 5 wickets (bonus) | +16 bonus points |
| Maiden over | +12 points |
Fielding Points
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Catch taken | +8 points |
| Stumping | +12 points |
| Run out (direct hit) | +12 points |
| Run out (assist) | +6 points |
Captain and Vice-Captain Multipliers
Remember that your captain's points are multiplied by 2x and your vice-captain's points by 1.5x. For example, if your captain scores 80 points, their contribution to your team total is 160 points.
Track Your Performance
Once the match begins, you can track your fantasy team's performance in real-time:
- Live Scores: See your team's points update as the match progresses
- Player Performance: View detailed statistics for each of your selected players
- Leaderboard Position: Check your ranking compared to other users
- Match Updates: Follow ball-by-ball commentary and key moments
After the match concludes, your final score is calculated and your leaderboard position is finalized. You can review your team's performance, analyze what worked well, and learn from any mistakes for future contests.
Tips and Strategies for Success
Research Before Selecting
Successful fantasy cricket requires research. Before building your team, review recent player statistics, team news, pitch reports, and weather forecasts. Knowledge is your most valuable asset.
Balance Risk and Safety
While it is tempting to select only star players, consider including some underrated or emerging players who may offer high value. Balancing popular choices with differential picks can give you an edge over other users.
Monitor Team News
Stay updated on team announcements, injury reports, and playing XI confirmations. A last-minute change can significantly impact your team's performance.
Analyze Past Performance
Review your previous teams to identify patterns in your decision-making. Learn from both your successes and failures to continuously improve your strategy.
Understand Match Formats
Different match formats (Test, ODI, T20) require different strategies. In T20 matches, aggressive batsmen and wicket-taking bowlers are valuable. In Test matches, consistent performers and all-rounders often score more points.
Ready to Start Playing?
Now that you understand how fantasy cricket works, create your free account and start building winning teams. Remember, practice makes perfect—the more you play, the better you will become.
Create Free Account