What Makes a Sportsbook ‘Cricket Friendly’?

Cricket is more than just a sport in India; it’s a way of life. From street corners to massive stadiums, the love for cricket is undeniable. It’s no surprise that the online betting market in India has exploded with a focus on cricket. But not all sportsbooks are created equal. What makes a sportsbook ‘cricket friendly’ in India? Is it the variety of cricket markets available? Or perhaps the payment options? In this article, we’ll break down the key aspects that determine whether a sportsbook is truly cricket-friendly for Indian bettors.

Understanding the Indian Cricket Landscape

Before we get into what makes a sportsbook truly cricket-friendly, it’s essential to grasp how deeply rooted cricket is in the Indian sporting culture. Cricket isn’t just a pastime in India; it’s woven into the social fabric of the country. From kids playing in alleyways with makeshift wickets to families gathering around TVs during major tournaments, cricket is everywhere. The sport is not only followed passionately but is also an emotional rollercoaster for millions. Because of this massive appeal, the demand for cricket-related content and betting opportunities is sky-high throughout the year.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the biggest driving forces behind cricket’s popularity in the country. It combines top-tier talent, high-stakes matches, celebrity team owners, and non-stop entertainment, making it an ideal event for both fans and bettors. Beyond the IPL, Indians avidly follow international tournaments like the ICC Cricket World Cup, T20 World Cup, and bilateral series between major cricketing nations. Every match is a spectacle, and bettors are always on the lookout for odds, live updates, and markets to engage with. For many, betting on cricket has become as routine as watching it.

What’s interesting is that Indian bettors don’t just limit themselves to the biggest matches. There’s a growing appetite for niche and emerging cricket formats. Domestic T20 leagues in other countries, ODIs, Test matches, and even club-level competitions in India have started attracting attention from seasoned bettors. This shift reflects how well-versed and analytical Indian bettors have become, often diving deep into statistics, player form, and pitch reports to make informed betting decisions. Sportsbooks need to align with these trends to appeal to this evolving audience.

In addition to the range of events, cultural and technological factors shape how Indians engage with cricket betting. The rise of smartphones, widespread internet access, and localized betting platforms have made it easier than ever to bet on cricket from virtually anywhere. With these tools at their fingertips, Indian bettors expect sportsbooks to offer an experience that feels custom-built for their needs—fast, intuitive, and focused on the cricket matches they care about most. For any sportsbook aiming to tap into this massive market, understanding this unique landscape is the first crucial step.

Key Features of a Cricket-Friendly Sportsbook

A Wide Range of Cricket Markets

One of the biggest indicators of a cricket-friendly sportsbook is the breadth and depth of its cricket betting markets. Indian bettors aren’t just looking to bet on who wins or loses—they want variety, strategy, and the ability to make informed decisions across multiple types of matches and formats. The more markets a sportsbook offers, the more engaging the experience becomes. Let’s break down exactly what that looks like in a fully fleshed-out list:

• Indian Premier League (IPL) Betting
  The IPL is the crown jewel of cricket betting in India. A sportsbook that doesn’t offer comprehensive IPL coverage simply can’t be called cricket-friendly. Bettors expect a wide variety of options like match winner, top batsman, top bowler, man of the match, highest opening partnership, total sixes, team with most boundaries, and even ball-by-ball predictions.
• ICC World Cup & Global Tournaments
  The ICC events such as the Cricket World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy draw massive betting activity. Here, sportsbooks should include markets like team to win the tournament, top run-scorer of the series, most wickets taken, total team runs, highest opening stand, and toss winner. These events offer long-term futures betting as well as match-by-match options.
• Bilateral and Tri-Series International Matches
  India’s bilateral series with top cricketing nations like Australia, England, Pakistan, and South Africa are huge betting opportunities. Good sportsbooks provide markets for each match as well as the overall series. Bettors should be able to wager on match winners, innings runs, method of dismissal, player head-to-head stats, and series outcomes.
• Domestic Indian Cricket Leagues
  Aside from the IPL, India has several domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Ranji Trophy. A top-notch sportsbook will cover these, offering familiar betting markets such as overs, wickets, batsman runs, and match results. These matches cater to more informed or serious bettors who follow local talent closely.
• Foreign T20 Leagues (BBL, CPL, PSL, The Hundred, etc.)
  Indian bettors don’t just bet on Indian tournaments—they love global cricket too. That means sportsbooks must include T20 leagues from around the world like Australia’s Big Bash League, the Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and England’s The Hundred. Markets can include most runs, wickets, total score ranges, and number of sixes.
• Test Match Cricket
  Yes, Test matches still hold value in the betting community, especially when India is playing. Markets here include draw no bet, session runs, highest individual score, first innings lead, total wickets on day one, and player performance over five days. These require more patience but attract strategic bettors.
• One Day Internationals (ODIs)
  ODIs strike the perfect balance between T20 excitement and Test match depth. Bettors enjoy markets like 50+ runs in an innings, total boundaries, over/under team scores, century scored, and partnerships. These matches are popular when India tours or hosts strong opponents.

Competitive Odds and Payouts

Let’s be real—odds are the heart of any betting experience. In cricket-obsessed India, where millions of fans actively follow and bet on the game, odds can make or break a sportsbook’s appeal. For Indian bettors, it’s not just about placing a bet—it’s about getting the best possible return for their insight, instinct, and strategy. Sportsbooks that want to be seen as cricket-friendly must consistently offer competitive odds that are enticing enough to make bettors choose them over others.

One thing seasoned punters often do is compare odds across multiple platforms before placing a bet. If one sportsbook offers odds of 2.00 for an India win and another offers 2.20 for the same outcome, that slight difference can mean a noticeable boost in winnings over time. So when a sportsbook underperforms in odds—especially during high-stakes tournaments like the IPL or ICC events—it’s a deal-breaker. This is why the best cricket-friendly sportsbooks focus on keeping their odds on par or even better than the global average.

You’ll also notice that these platforms often provide better odds for cricket than they do for sports like football or tennis. Why? Because they know where their user base is. If cricket is the sport that drives traffic and engagement, then it makes perfect sense to use competitive odds as an incentive. This approach also helps attract serious bettors who stake larger amounts and look for value in every bet. These high-stakes users are not swayed by flashy design—they’re there for the math.

What’s equally important is the payout speed. Bettors in India value fast, hassle-free withdrawals just as much as high odds. No one wants to wait days or jump through hoops to get their winnings. So, a sportsbook that combines great odds with a strong reputation for fast payouts builds trust—and once trust is established, users are far more likely to stick around. This synergy between competitive odds and smooth payouts is what truly sets a cricket-friendly sportsbook apart from the rest.

Live Betting Options

Seamless Mobile Experience

In today’s India, mobile is king. Whether you’re riding the metro, waiting in line at a chai stall, or chilling at home, your smartphone is your constant companion—and that includes when you’re betting on cricket. A sportsbook that truly wants to be “cricket-friendly” must nail the mobile experience. Bettors shouldn’t have to struggle with laggy interfaces, hard-to-navigate menus, or limited features when they’re on the go. It has to feel just as smooth—if not smoother—than desktop.

• Fully Responsive Mobile Website: The mobile version of the sportsbook site should automatically adjust to different screen sizes and devices, providing a hassle-free experience without pinching or zooming.
• Dedicated Mobile App: Top-tier sportsbooks offer Android and iOS apps that are lightweight, fast, and optimized for cricket betting. These apps often send real-time notifications on odds changes, match updates, and betting results—something web platforms can’t do as effectively.
• Quick Load Times: Nobody wants to miss placing a live bet because the app or site took forever to load. Instant loading is a must, especially during high-pressure IPL matches or World Cup games.
• Cricket-Centric Interface: A cricket-friendly sportsbook doesn’t bury its cricket offerings behind multiple menus. From the home screen, users should have direct access to ongoing matches, upcoming fixtures, and key betting markets related to cricket.
• Live Betting on Mobile: The live betting interface should be just as engaging and functional on mobile. Users should be able to view live scores, access updated odds, and place in-play bets seamlessly—without the need to refresh the page manually.
• Simple Navigation: The app or site should let users toggle between matches, leagues, and bet types with ease. Good UX/UI design is crucial here. Dropdowns, quick filters, and search bars all add to the ease of use.
• Lightweight Design: In a country where many users still rely on mid-range smartphones and slower mobile internet connections, a sportsbook needs to be optimized for performance without draining battery or consuming massive data.
• One-Tap Deposits and Withdrawals: The mobile version should support instant banking options with intuitive workflows. Bettors want to fund their account and cash out without unnecessary steps.
• Security on the Go: A solid mobile experience also means airtight security. Features like biometric logins (fingerprint or face recognition) add convenience while keeping user accounts safe.
• Offline Access and Push Notifications: Some advanced apps even allow offline features, like checking bet history or results, and send alerts to keep users updated about their favorite teams or bet slips.