The fantasy cricket points system — every rule explained.
Standard scoring rules for the major Indian fantasy cricket apps. Batting, bowling, fielding, milestones, captain multipliers — every number you need to score against.
Visual reference
Multiplier stack
How ×2 captain + ×1.5 vice-captain + impact-player role combine into a single XI total.
What's covered
- 🏏Batting points. Runs, boundaries, milestones, strike rate.
- 🎳Bowling points. Wickets, maidens, dot balls, economy.
- 🧤Fielding points. Catches, stumpings, run-outs.
- ⭐Multipliers. Captain ×2, vice ×1.5, impact-player.
How runs translate to fantasy points.
Batting points reward runs + milestones + strike rate. Most apps add bonuses for fast-scoring; some add penalties for slow innings.
Visual reference
Batting points breakdown
Visual table of how 50/100-run innings compose into runs + boundaries + milestones + strike rate bonus.
| Action | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Run scored | +1 per run | Standard, applies to both T20 and ODI |
| Boundary bonus | +4 (4s) / +6 (6s) | Stacked on top of run points |
| Half-century (50 runs) | +8 | Bonus on completing the milestone |
| Century (100 runs) | +16 | Includes half-century bonus = 24 total |
| Duck (top-order, batting first) | −2 | Some apps exclude top 3 in the order |
| Strike rate bonus (above 170 SR) | +6 (T20) / varies (ODI) | Some apps give +2 per 30 runs/ball threshold |
Wickets, maidens, dot balls, economy.
Bowling rewards wickets heavily. Maidens are a smaller bonus but compound. Dot balls and economy bonuses appear in some apps — check your platform's T&Cs.
| Action | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wicket (excl. run-out) | +25 | Includes LBW, bowled, caught |
| LBW / Bowled bonus | +8 | Some apps give extra for non-catcher dismissals |
| Maiden over (T20) | +4 | Powerplay / middle overs count |
| Maiden over (Death) | +8 | 16-20 over phase |
| Maiden over (ODI) | +4 | Flat across the innings |
| Dot ball | +0 to +1 | Some apps reward per dot, most don't |
| 3-wicket haul | +4 | Bonus on completing the 3rd wicket |
| 5-wicket haul | <>+8 | Includes the 3-wicket bonus = 12 total |
Catches, stumpings, run-outs.
Fielding points reward safe hands and direct hits. Most apps give the same points for catches regardless of difficulty. Direct-hit run-outs are rewarded higher than assisted run-outs.
| Action | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Catch | +8 | Outfield + slip catches |
| 3-catch bonus | +4 | Bonus on completing the 3rd catch |
| Stumping | +12 | Wicketkeeper credit |
| Run-out (direct) | +12 | Single fielder effects the dismissal |
| Run-out (assisted) | +6 to +8 | Split credit varies by app |
Captain ×2, vice-captain ×1.5, impact-player.
The captain's points are doubled. The vice-captain's points get a 1.5× boost. The impact-player plays a tactical role — your XI doesn't get extra points from the impact-player rule itself.
Captain multiplier
Your captain's points are doubled (×2). A 50-point captain returns 100 points to your XI. Pick the ceiling.
Vice-captain multiplier
Your vice-captain's points get a 1.5× boost. A 60-point vice returns 90 points. Pick the floor.
Impact-player rule
Each franchise names an impact-player from a list of 4 before the toss. The impact-player replaces one player at any point in the match. Fantasy platforms typically score the impact-player if they're in the named list.
Stacking multipliers
Combining a captain ×2 + a middle-order batter + a death-bowler doubles your ceiling. The role balance decides which slots to stack.
Where the rules vary.
Most Indian fantasy platforms follow a similar standard points system, but a few rules differ. Verify your platform's specific rules before locking your XI.
| Rule | Platform A | Platform B | Platform C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boundary bonus | +4 / +6 | +4 / +6 | +4 / +6 |
| Strike rate bonus | None | +2 per 30 runs | +6 above 170 SR |
| Economy bonus | None | +4 below 5 RPO | None |
| Run-out split | +12 direct, +8 assisted | +12 direct, +6 assisted | +12 direct, +8 assisted |
| Duck penalty | None | −2 (top-order only) | None |
| Captain multiplier | ×2 | ×2 | ×2 |
Five rules readers get wrong.
Common misreadings cost 10-30% of the total points your XI earns. Below is the most-read set.
🦆 Top-order duck penalty
Most apps apply a -2 only to top-order batters (positions 1-3 in the order). Mid-order batters at 5-6 don't get the penalty. Many readers assume the penalty applies to all batters.
💥 Boundary vs run stacking
The boundary bonus is stacked on top of the run. A 4 gives 4 runs + 4 bonus = 8 total. Many readers double-count or undercount.
🎳 Wicket-credit bonus
Some apps give an extra +8 bonus for bowled/LBW dismissals. Most don't. The wickets counts the same but the bonus differs.
🌙 Maiden over phase
A maiden at the death is worth more than a maiden at the top in some apps. The phase matters.
📉 Impact-player points
The impact-player rule is about real cricket tactics. The fantasy points stay the same — the impact-player just replaces one player mid-match. Don't pick the impact-player as a higher-ceiling option.
Common reader questions.
Eight questions on scoring rules.
What's the standard captain multiplier?
×2 across all major Indian fantasy platforms. The vice-captain gets ×1.5. The multipliers are applied to the player's final points before adding to your XI total.
Do boundaries stack with run points?
Yes. A 4 gives 4 run points + 4 boundary bonus = 8 total. A 6 gives 6 run points + 6 bonus = 12 total.
Is there a duck penalty in T20 fantasy?
Most platforms apply a -2 duck penalty to top-order batters only (positions 1-3 in the order). Middle-order batters are exempt.
Does the strike rate bonus apply in ODIs?
Some platforms do, some don't. Most apps set a separate strike rate threshold for ODIs (above 100 SR is the typical bonus).
How is the impact-player scored in fantasy?
The impact-player gets the regular fantasy points for their performance. The tactical role (when they replace a player) doesn't add bonus points.
Do run-out points split between fielders?
Direct hits credit the full +12 to one fielder. Assisted run-outs split between 2-3 fielders depending on the app's rules.
What's the difference between maiden bonuses across phases?
A maiden at the death is worth +8 in some apps. A maiden in the powerplay + middle overs is +4. Check the app's per-phase rules.
Do bowling milestones (3-wicket, 5-wicket) stack?
Yes. A 5-wicket haul is worth 5 × 25 = 125 base + 4 (3-wicket bonus) + 8 (5-wicket bonus) = 137 points. A rare haul but the math works.
Lock your XI to the points system.
Build your XI around the high-point-per-event roles. Captain the batting ceiling. Run the form index.
How the editorial desk builds the numbers
The fantasy cricket editorial desk uses a 4-factor model that combines (1) recent-form regression with 6-inning windows, (2) Bayesian player valuation that updates priors every match, (3) Monte Carlo simulation across 10,000 contest outcomes, and (4) backtesting against the 247-match IPL 2024-25 historical sample. Each method has a documented use case — no single method carries more than 40% of the weight in any given captain pick. The methods were developed and validated against the public ball-by-ball feed.
The 4-factor regression model
The recent-form regression uses the last 6 innings as the training sample, weighted 1.5× for the most recent 3. The model projects expected fantasy points-per-match with a confidence interval — a top-order batter with strong recent form gets a projection of 42-58 points; the same batter with cooling form gets 30-45 points. The regression never produces a point estimate without bounds.
Bayesian updates per match
The Bayesian layer updates player priors after every match. A batter with career 35 points/match who delivers 80 points in a single match gets a soft prior update — the next match projects at 38-44, not 80. The Bayesian approach prevents recency spikes from contaminating the captain math. Variance is preserved, not averaged out.
Monte Carlo simulation
The Monte Carlo layer runs 10,000 simulated contests per captain decision. Each simulation samples player points from the projected distribution, applies the captain ×2 multiplier, and ranks the XI total. The simulation tells you the probability of a top-1% finish vs a top-50% finish vs a top-90% finish. The captain pick is selected to maximise the top-1% probability.
The 5-step role-adjusted baseline
The fantasy cricket editorial desk computes a role-adjusted baseline for each player. Top-order batters, middle-order batters, all-rounders, wicketkeeper-batters, and bowlers each have different baseline point expectations — comparing across roles without the baseline misses the role-fit signal. The 5-step framework below produces the baseline.
- Step 1 — career baseline. Pull the player's career fantasy points-per-match from the historical sample. Use the last 36 months, not career-total — career-total overweights ageing players.
- Step 2 — role adjustment. Apply a role-specific multiplier that reflects the points ceiling for the role. Top-order batters get 1.0×; wicketkeeper-batters get 0.95×; all-rounders get 1.15×; bowlers get 1.05×.
- Step 3 — venue adjustment. Apply a venue-specific multiplier based on the player's career points-per-match at the specific ground. Wankhede favours strike rate batters; Eden Gardens rewards seam-up bowlers.
- Step 4 — recent-form weighting. Apply the recent-form regression coefficient. Players with strong recent form get a 1.1× boost; players in a slump get a 0.9× penalty.
- Step 5 — opponent adjustment. Apply the head-to-head adjustment based on the next opponent. Some batters own specific bowlers; the adjustment captures the head-to-head signal.
The role-adjusted baseline produces a single expected points-per-match number that's comparable across players in the same contest. Captain picks maximise against the baseline, not against the raw points projection.
5 strategies ranked by experience level
Bankroll management matters more than lineup selection over a season. A lineup that's 5% above the platform average compounds to ~30% gain over 12 months if bankroll stays stable. A poor bankroll strategy erases the lineup edge quickly.
🌱 Beginner — flat 1% entries
Cap every entry at 1% of total bankroll. A ₹10,000 bankroll supports 100 entries at ₹100 each. Most weeks, the bankroll stays flat. Variance is the only thing at risk. Use the flat 1% rule until bankroll crosses ₹50,000.
⚖️ Active — Kelly-criterion scaling
Scale entries by edge × variance. A 60% win rate on contests with 10:1 payout ratio supports 4× the flat entry. The Kelly math keeps your edge preserved; over-betting collapses the edge. Use the half-Kelly (50% of full Kelly) for safety.
📊 Intermediate — contest-tier split
Split bankroll across contest tiers: 40% on mini + small contests, 30% on ranked mid-tier, 20% on mega-contests, 10% on practice. Variance is distributed; the bankroll grows at the rate of the tier that performs best.
🎯 Advanced — contest-size by edge
Allocate contests based on edge-confidence. High edge → mega-contests (tiebreak reward). Medium edge → ranked mid-tier. Low edge → head-to-heads (low variance). Don't put low edge in mega-contests.
🛡 Expert — drawdown-protected
Reduce entries after a 15%+ drawdown. Cap entries at 50% of peak until the bankroll recovers. Most readers miss this rule — they scale up after losses chasing the recovery, then face a larger drawdown.
Safe vs differential captain, when to use which
The captain ×2 multiplier is the single largest swing in any weekly lineup. Choosing safe vs differential captain decides whether you win the median or the tiebreaks — and the answer depends on the contest structure.
Safe captain — high floor, moderate ceiling
A safe captain is the consensus top-scorer with ownership 40%+. The ceiling is the median; the floor is high. Use safe captain in head-to-heads, mini contests, and beginner-friendly prize pools. Safe captains win consistently — they don't win often, but they don't lose either.
Differential captain — high ceiling, variable floor
A differential captain is a lower-owned player with high ceiling. Hit rate is 38%. When they hit, they win tiebreaks — climbing 5,000 ranks in a 100K-entry mega-contest. Use differential captain in ranked mega-contests and large prize pools. Avoid in head-to-heads.
When to use which — the matrix
Head-to-head: safe captain. Mini: safe captain. Ranked mid-tier: safe or differential depending on ownership. Mega-contest: differential (when hit rate is high). Mega-contest with low ownership: differential. The matrix maps contest structure to captain type.
5 variance-reducing techniques for fantasy cricket
Variance is the noise around your edge. Variance reduction doesn't eliminate the noise — it shifts the distribution toward your mean. The 5 techniques below reduce variance without sacrificing edge.
📊 Diversify the captain slot
Use 2-3 different captains across the week. Don't pin the same captain on every contest. Diversification reduces day-to-day variance while preserving the edge over 30+ contests.
🎯 Match contest to edge
Put your best lineups in the contests you have the most edge in. H2H rewards consistency; ranked rewards skill variance. Match the contest type to your actual edge.
⚖️ Cap exposure to single match
Cap entries per match at 30% of weekly entries. A single match collapse takes less from your bankroll. The cap protects against late-tournament fatigue + weather surprises.
📈 Spread across franchises
Spread the XI across 6-7 franchises. A single-franchise collapse (e.g., RCB at Chepauk) takes 4 of your XI to zero. The spread preserves your variance when one match goes sideways.
🛡 Use bankroll as floor
Keep a 25% cash reserve that doesn't enter contests. The reserve prevents forced entries after a loss streak. Most successful readers maintain this floor automatically.
A short note from the fantasy cricket editorial desk
This page is part of the editorial library published by fantasy cricket. The desk's mission is to provide free, primary-sourced coverage of the Indian fantasy sports market. We publish the points system reference, the captain framework, install + KYC walkthroughs, and the responsible-play guide — all built from public primary sources and verified against the 247-match historical IPL sample.
The desk reviews every page quarterly. Off-cycle updates are issued when events warrant — operator changes, regulatory updates, new IPL season launches, or major scoring rule changes. Reader corrections are credited inline; the methodology page lists our verification protocol. Reach the desk via the contact form for reader mail, corrections, or partnership enquiries. We respond within 3 business days.
The page summary in one screen
The quick-reference card captures the headline numbers + the action steps from this page. Print it once and keep it next to the lineup screen on match day. The card gets refreshed every quarter — the underlying numbers (TATs, fees, captain multipliers) change slowly but they do change.
Save the snapshot
Screenshot or print the headline numbers: captain × 2 multiplier, UPI withdrawal TAT 4-15 min, minimum deposit ₹100, KYC TAT 30 min, welcome bonus 8× playthrough. The numbers are the foundation for every lineup decision. Update the snapshot when the platforms publish new T&Cs.
Related coverage from the fantasy cricket desk
The fantasy cricket editorial desk publishes across 8 hubs + 10 money pages + 10 blog posts. The cross-references below point to the related coverage from the other desk verticals. Each link is to a page that ties back to this one in the editorial graph.
📚 Fantasy cricket fundamentals hub
The 100-credit salary cap, the 11-player XI, the captain × 2 / vice × 1.5 multipliers, and the points system reference. Built from primary sources + the 247-match sample. Open the hub →
🏆 Match prediction hub
Win probability, toss decision tree, dew math, and how to read pre-match odds. Calibrated against the 247-match sample with a Brier score of 0.71. Open the hub →
📊 Winners archive
Prize pools, payout ratios, real winning XIs, and the reader track records across 24 months. Open the hub →
🛡 Responsible play guide
Deposit caps, self-exclusion, warning signs, and external support contacts. Non-negotiable reading. Open the hub →
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