Best T20 Cricket Betting Strategies for Indian Bettors

The cricket calendar is packed with international, domestic and T20 fixtures happening throughout the year, offering numerous betting opportunities for the average cricket betting enthusiast.

There is a wide range of betting opportunities thanks to many bookmakers in India offering a variety of markets with attractive odds. But how do you select the right market?

How do you identify the potential in a market? How do you avoid choosing markets that are unlikely to be successful?

We’re here to assist you. In this article, we'll explore a bunch of betting markets you can include in your T20 betting strategy.

But first, let’s take a step back and set the context.

Over the last decade or so, T20 cricket has evolved into a completely lopsided game, becoming more batsmen-friendly than ever before.

The shift is mainly driven by the introduction of the Impact Player rule, the use of modern bats, and flat pitches that have made run-making a lot easier.

This trend has seen top-quality bowlers record some of their worst figures in the top leagues, with Jofra Archer’s 0/76 earlier this year becoming the most expensive spell in IPL history.

Given this situation, where the game is clearly skewed towards the batsmen, here are some T20 cricket betting markets to help you increase your chances of making a successful bet.

Opening Partnership

Focus on this market for matches where the pitch assists quick run-scoring. This is also a good option for matches involving aggressive opening pairs with a reputation for scoring a bulk of their runs quickly in the powerplay. Tomesh Kulkarni from mybettingsitesindia, a site that ranks and reviews the best betting sites in India, notes that bettors generally pick this market in fixtures involving the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Orange Army, featuring Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order, are known to come out all guns blazing regardless of the conditions or the opposition’s bowling attack.

Total – Over

The total market is a solid choice, too, especially for matches played on flat, placid wickets with a blazing fast outfield, and at venues where high scores are common. Additionally, an impact player could contribute valuable runs, so for matches with high scoring potential, consider betting on the ‘Over’ for total runs.

First Innings – Over

In a high-scoring match, the first innings often sets the tone for the whole game. If you’re going to be backing teams with aggressive batsmen to come good on flat pitches, the first innings ‘over’ is an attractive bet option.

Player Props – Over

If a player has a strong record on a particular ground or is in good form, consider placing bets on the ‘Over’ for individual runs. Also, consider whether the player has a favourable matchup against the opposition's bowlers. For example, Liam Livingstone, despite being a right-hander, has a good matchup against veteran leg-spinner Rashid Khan. Livingstone has scored 196 runs off 98 balls with a strike rate of 200 and has been dismissed just four times. Look for similar statistics to pick a batsman who is likely to score “Over” given their current form, matchups, and the conditions.

Most Fours/Sixes

The number of boundaries scored during the power play and middle overs has increased significantly in the IPL ever since the impact player rule was introduced. The BBL, which includes an X-factor player, has also seen a sharp rise in the number of boundaries. Therefore, most boundaries scored—as either fours or sixes—might be a valuable option to consider if two aggressive teams face off on a fresh, flat wicket that’s conducive to batting or at a venue where boundary dimensions clearly favour the batsmen.

Match Winner – Chasing

Although it’s not an easy prediction, betting on the team that is chasing can be a good choice if you’re confident that the Impact Player and pitch conditions will favour them. The comfort of having the extra batter in the ranks allows teams batting second to bat freely and pace their innings, making chasing a much more effective strategy.

Toss

Toss predictions can be tricky. However, most teams generally prefer to win the toss and field first, especially when there’s an element of dew involved or cloud cover or if the pitch is expected to stay consistent during both innings. With the extra batter provided by the Impact Player, chasing teams can now break down the target into smaller, achievable targets and approach the chase with greater confidence.

In a game that often seems to favour the batsmen, choosing the right strategy, doing your research, and picking the right markets makes all the difference. When you understand these, you’ll find it easier to make smart bets and improve your chances of winning.