A Full Explanation to T20 Cricket (2024)

T20 Cricket Explained

Twenty20 (T20) cricket match is the shortest format of cricket. With only 40 total overs that are split, allowing both teams to bat and bowl for 20 overs each, a match is usually over within five hours. While this may still sound like a long time, it is far shorter than a One Day International (which sees a grand total of 100 overs and takes a day to complete) or a Test match (which sees 90 overs per day over five days, adding up to a total of 450 overs).

T20 cricket draws big crowds at both domestic and international levels, as hordes of supporters head over in droves to watch the most explosive batsmen in the sport go toe-to-toe with one-another. The T20 format seems to favour batting, as pitches are generally flatter and offer less assistance to the bowlers. This, coupled with smaller boundaries, has seen batsmen take the initiative as they try to smash the opposition bowlers to all parts of the ground.

As mentioned, T20 cricket is massive on both the international and the domestic scene, with the biggest tournament in the former being the World Cup, while the Indian Premier League, Big Bash and T20 Blast are the major events in the latter.

The popularity of T20 cricket arises from the fact that every cricketing country now has a league or competition for it, and because the game itself does not take as long as a Test match. T20 games also tend to finish in an explosive manner, with the lead-up to draws a nail-biting, tense affair. However, it is worth remembering that ‘super overs’ (where both teams pick three batsmen and a bowler to represent them as they try to score as many runs in an over as possible) often take place a way to settle T20 games these days.

On the world stage, the biggest teams to back come in the form of the usual suspects like India, England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. While these five nations have been at the top of the cricketing world for some time, any of the other sides like the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh still possess the ability to win big games.

Perks of T20 Cricket Betting

• Games are over quicker than Test matches, meaning you are not left waiting days for your bet to win or lose.
• Batsmen are looking to go big quickly, meaning that betting markets for six and four hitting are very popular.
• The fielding team looks to attack from the start, resulting in either wickets falling regularly or runs being scored quickly.
• As T20 cricket is so short, a higher number of matches take place across the world. In the IPL there will usually be two matches happening a day, introducing further opportunities on which to bet.
• There is a huge amount of pre-game and in-play markets for Twenty20 betting.
• Pitch deterioration is less of an issue, as matches do not last as long, so batting second is not a major disadvantage.

How to Bet on T20 Cricket

Twenty20 betting has become a hugely popular in recent years. With cricket enjoying massive popularity across many countries globally, Test, ODI and T20 markets are offered by some of the biggest bookies around.

Below, we have listed some of the most important factors that you should be aware of when it comes to Twenty20 betting.

Where Can I Find the Best T20 Betting markets?

Sign up or log in to your favourite bookmaker, and navigate your way to their homepage. Next, click on the image of the cricket ball or the word ‘Cricket’ on the list of sports that usually appears on the left of the page, or at the top. Once you have clicked on this tab, you will be shown all of the available cricket betting options.

The matches that appear will likely be an amalgamation of Test, ODI and T20 matches, with these split further into international and domestic cricket competitions and games. Some bookies will make it very clear which match is a Test match, an ODI or a T20 game; however, it is very important you also do your research to know for sure what the format of the game you are betting on is.

What T20 Cricket Markets Can I Bet on?

While you will likely utilise very different strategies for Test and T20 betting, the available betting markets for both the formats are not that different. Below, we've compiled a few of the most popular, and which bookie is best for each.

While not all the above will be available across all three formats of the game, if you have a firm understanding of T20 betting markets, then these are transferable across ODI and Test cricket betting.

Why Should I Bet on T20 Cricket?

Twenty20 betting will give you a number of ways to bet on the most exciting format of the game. The gung-ho style of T20 cricket results in non-stop action across 40 overs, which can make it very tempting to make quickfire bets that you perhaps have not thought through enough. Below, we have listed a number of the key factors you should take into consideration when it comes to T20 betting.

Value Bets

Unlike many other sports, cricket is a game in which any of the top sides in the world can defeat the other. At the time of writing, the likes of England, India, Australia and New Zealand are the best international sides in the world. However, any team outside of the top four has more than enough ability to beat their opponents.

While this allows for very exciting games, it also makes things very unpredictable. An inability to call a match with total confidence will see the value of certain bets increase, meaning you do not always have to place very high stakes to make a significant amount of profit. This is also true of many other T20 leagues and competitions, with great value and good odds to be found in markets like Top Batsman and Top Wicket Taker.

Cricket Dream Teams

One of the major draws of T20 cricket betting is the fact that most domestic competitions and teams are given the opportunity to strengthen their ranks with some of the best T20 players in the world. The IPL auction is the most interesting exponent of this, with their player auction attracting the best of the best.

Each team having such good players greatly ups the excitement factor. No side is left with sub-standard players, making things even more unpredictable.

Available Markets

Whether you are looking to back outright markets like Tournament Winner, Top Tournament Batsman, Top Tournament Bowler, Match Winner, To Score the Most Sixes or First Dismissal Method, there is a market for everyone who enjoys cricket betting.

Of course, getting used to these markets and how they work can be daunting to newer bettors. However, once you've got used to them and learn how to use the T20 odds on offer, it's just a question of doing your research beforehand.

Depth of Competition

T20 cricket betting covers one of the most diverse and impressive range of competitions and tournaments to bet on. From T20 Blast betting in England and the Big Bash in Australia to the massively popular IPL and everything in between, domestic T20 competitions are rife right now.

Meanwhile, T20 World Cup betting on the international scene is seen as the very pinnacle, while a country touring another side will usually have a number of T20 clashes incorporated as well. This exceptional array of leagues and competitions only adds to what is already a saturated cricket betting calendar, meaning T20 betting tips are worth keeping an eye out for all year round.

T20 Cricket Tips

Below, we have listed some of the most important factors that we feel are vital for T20 betting.

• The Pitch – In cricket, the pitch has a massive impact on how teams approach a game and what strategies batsmen and bowlers will have to implement. If the pitch is grassy and the overhead conditions are overcast, then the ball will swing. This means that a side will likely give their swing bowlers a lot of the ball, and batsmen will have to be aware that it could swing both into their pads or away from them. You can view the conditions of the track in the pitch report before the game.
• Form – The form of two sides won't not necessarily indicate which way the game will go. However, if a side comes into the match on the back of five wins in a row and their opponents have not tasted victory in 10 games, then the form book will tell you the former are the side to bet on. Take this with a pinch of salt, though, as there are certain factors that we will discuss below which suggest that backing form is not always the way to go.
• Historic Results – While the form will give you some insight into how the two sides are currently playing, the historic form will show you how the two sides have played against each other in the past. This can help you to pick out a big upset.
• The Location – Much like the pitch, the venue is very important in cricket. While different venues will have different types of pitches (some may spin, swing or provide extra bounce), the psychological advantage one side may have over their opponent can be huge if the latter has struggled on a particular ground. Certain players may also find it difficult to bat or bowl in a particular stadium, while the other team may thrive.
• Value Bets – You need to be able to find a balance between finding good odds and your bet having a good chance of winning. Shrewd bettors will pride themselves on their ability to predict and wager on major upsets, seriously increasing their winning potential in the process.

Best Markets for T20 Betting

Most Sixes

(Source: 888sport)

This market is best used in the shorter formats of the game, with T20s and ODIs often seeing a string of maximums scored. A six refers to when a batsman hits the ball over the boundary rope without it bouncing. The ‘Most Sixes’ market refers to which of the two sides will score the most maximums.

As the screenshot above shows, there is some value in backing the draw or the underdog option. T20 cricket provides very little time for the batting team to make a big score, meaning that they will look to hit boundaries far more often than they would in Test cricket. An upset here will usually come when the bowling team can get early wickets, putting the favourites under pressure. The latter will therefore have to play more cautiously, resulting in fewer boundaries.

The best teams to back in this market will be the ones with the most notorious and consistent six-hitters. For example, England’s T20 team will usually boast Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali. Be warned though, that certain conditions will play a big part in this market; if the pitch is slow and giving little to the batsmen, then sixes will be far harder to hit.

Best 20 betting site for Most Sixes: 888sport

Top Batsman

(Source: Unibet)

Betting on the Top Batsman market will see you wagering on the player you think will score the most runs. This can either be a Top Team Batsman market, which sees you betting on one player to outscore his 10 other teammates, or it can be the Top Batsman market, which requires you to wager on the player that you think will score the most runs in the match.

Best T20 betting site for Top Batsman: Unibet

Top Matches in T20 Cricket History

T20 cricket has quickly established itself as the most exciting and possibly the most accessible format of the game. Below, we have recounted some of the most memorable matches and performances from both individuals and teams.

Chris Gayle (175 not out) for Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors (IPL, 2013)

Chris Gayle’s record-breaking 175 not out was an innings of considerable power and concentration, as the veteran West Indies batsman went about destroying Pune Warriors India and their bowling attack.

The left-hander smashed 12 fours and 17 sixes in a knock that needed to be seen to be believed. Gayle’s monster score helped RCB onto an incredible 263-5 on a very good wicket before they restricted Pune Warriors India for just 133-9. While the bowlers were superb with the ball, it was Gayle that was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch, in perhaps the greatest innings in T20 history.

West Indies vs England (T20 World Cup Final, 2016)

England looked to be well on course for victory in the 2016 T20 World Cup final in India, after Joe Root (54) and Jos Buttler (36) had helped to lead England to 155-9 in tricky conditions. Their strong position was improved as they had the West Indies at 11/3 in their pursuit, with Root (5-2) impressing with the ball too.

However, Marlon Samuels led an inspired fightback with a sublime 85 not out off 66 balls. Despite top-scoring, it was actually Carlos Brathwaite who won the match for the West Indies. Needing a hefty 19 from the final over, Brathwaite went about dismantling Ben Stokes’ bowling as he smashed the al-rounder for four sixes in four balls. This the Windies lift the famous trophy and reduce England’s World Cup challenge to rubble.

It was England’s to win going into the final over, and, if not for the brilliance of Brathwaite and Samuels, Eoin Morgan’s men would have been the ones lifting the trophy.

Chennai Super Kings (205-5) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (202-6) by 5 wickets (IPL 2018)

Kolkata Knight Riders looked to be well in with a chance of beating Chennai Super Kings after posting a mammoth 202/6 in their 20 overs. However, they did not look like they would get anywhere near the 200 mark until Andre Russell came in to bat.

Batting at seven, Russell went on a blitz, smashing 11 sixes as he made 88 not out from 36 balls and ending with a strike rate of 244.44.

His efforts were ultimately for nothing, though, as Chennai Super Kings powered to a five-wicket win. However, the sight of Russell smashing the bowlers to all corners of the ground is something few fans that were in the stadium or watching on from home would ever forget. It was this sort of performance that ultimately saw Russell become one of the premier T20 players and the Most Valuable Player for 2018’s IPL.

Cricket T20 Betting FAQs

Which are the best betting sites for Twenty20 betting?

Any of the betting sites we have listed above will give you everything you need to utilise our T20 betting tips effectively. However, we recommend 888sport and Unibet as the top two best cricket betting sites mentioned here, with an array of competition betting, team- and player-based markets, and competitive odds. Alongside this, they also bring live streaming, a range of payment options, generous promotions and niche markets.

How is T20 Cricket Different to Other Cricket Formats?

T20 cricket is the shortest format of the game. Played over just 40 overs (20 overs per side), the T20 game has batsmen trying to smash the ball out of the park from the first ball and bowlers trying to send their wickets flying.

The markets for T20 cricket are similar to those available in Test and ODI betting. Having said that, more focus is placed on six and four betting, while you will usually look to back batsmen that are more explosive to top score as the game is all about scoring quickly.

The rules across the three formats of the game are almost exactly the same, making it easy to hop between Test, ODI and T20 cricket.

Can I watch and bet on T20 cricket?

Many of the best T20 betting sites will offer you the ability to watch and bet on the biggest cricketing events. To find out if your bookmaker of choice provides a live stream for cricket, you simply need to head to the best live cricket streaming sites and check if your bookie is on that list.

Then, sign in (or create an account) and head to their live streaming section to see if the match you want to watch is available. Alternatively, you can look out for the TV icon that usually appears next to match listings. Many of the top in-play betting sites offer a live-streaming function, meaning you can watch and bet on the biggest T20 events in perfect harmony.

In order to live stream, you will usually need to either have a positive balance in your account, have made a bet in the last 24 hours or have placed a bet on the game you want to watch.

Which are the best markets for T20 betting?

This depends on your own personal preferences. The most popular usually prove to be the Outright Tournament Winner market, Top Batsman, Top Wicket-Taker and Most Sixes. However, you yourself may enjoy the volatility of the Man of the Match market, for example. Regardless, there is bound to be something for everyone when it comes to T20 betting.

Which are the best teams to bet on in T20 cricket betting?

This depends on the format of the game you are betting on. If you are wagering on the IPL, then the best team will be different to the side you will back in the Big Bash. Similarly, this will change if you are wagering on international tournaments with the likes of India, England and Australia always strong favourites to perform. Ensure you research the favourites for a particular competition thoroughly before you place your bet, or you can follow some of the best cricket predictions in the world to get the best tips for both domestic and international T20 betting.

CricketBettingAdvice Final Say

All the Twenty20 betting tips described in this article have been brought to you by our team of experts and cricket fanatics. To make sure you enjoy a truly top-tier experience, we've also listed what we believe to be the absolute best bookmakers and the best cricket betting apps for this particular cricket format. Whether this is because they offer niche betting markets, competitive odds, live streaming, or any number of other exciting features, you can't go wrong with any of our recommended sites.

T20 betting provides a lot of different betting options, which have filtered down from the array of competitions in both the domestic and international versions of cricket. Betting on matches only adds to the excitement of T20 cricket and the act of watching events unfold as you wait for your wagers to come through.

Vishnu Reddy

Match previews expert

Vishnu Reddy is a seasoned sports betting writer with two years of expertise in the field. His in-depth knowledge and proficiency extend beyond the general spectrum, with a particular focus on cricket betting, a passion he has cultivated for the past five years.

Vishnu has worked as a sports content writer for two years across Cloutnews, Sportslumo, Sportz18.com, GudStory.com, Sportsgyan.in, Fantasytips.in, and Sportscafe. Also, he has co-founded two Bollywood and cricket websites: SpiceBite.in and Cricketerstales.com.