Best Betting Types for Short-Format Cricket

Short-format cricket, particularly T20 matches and the growing popularity of The Hundred, has revolutionized the sport. The high-paced, thrilling nature of these formats offers a range of exciting betting opportunities for cricket enthusiasts. Whether you’re following the IPL, T20 World Cup, or domestic leagues, understanding the best betting types for short-format cricket can significantly enhance your experience. With platforms like 12Bet and Apbook offering a wide variety of betting markets, it’s essential to know which bets provide the best value and excitement.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top betting types for short-format cricket and how you can use them to make smarter bets and potentially maximize your returns.

1. Match Winner

One of the most straightforward and popular bets in short-format cricket is betting on the match winner. T20 matches, in particular, are often unpredictable, with momentum shifts happening frequently over the course of a single game. Despite the fast-paced nature of these formats, betting on the match winner remains one of the go-to betting options.

Platforms like 12Bet and Apbook offer competitive odds on match-winner markets. While the favorites often have lower odds, short-format cricket is known for its surprises, so betting on the underdog can sometimes yield significant returns, especially if a team has players known for performing well under pressure.

2. Top Batsman

Given the shorter game time, batsmen in T20 cricket tend to go for big shots early in their innings, making the top batsman market an exciting option. In this market, you bet on which player will score the most runs for their team or in the match overall. With power hitters like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Andre Russell often dominating short formats, this bet can offer significant rewards.

On platforms like Apbook, you’ll find a variety of options for top batsman bets. To make informed decisions, analyze players’ recent performances, strike rates, and how they fare against the opposing bowling attack. 12Bet also provides up-to-date player statistics and insights, allowing you to make well-informed choices when betting on the top batsman.

3. Top Bowler

In the fast-paced world of short-format cricket, bowlers can often be the difference between winning and losing. Betting on the top bowler involves predicting which bowler will take the most wickets in a match or for their team. This market is particularly interesting because, in formats like T20, bowlers are often tasked with restricting runs and taking wickets in the final overs.

Both 12Bet and Apbook offer markets on top bowlers, and successful betting in this area requires an understanding of how specific bowlers perform under pressure. For example, spinners often play a crucial role on slower pitches, while fast bowlers can dominate on bouncier tracks. Analyzing factors like pitch conditions and team strategies can help you make smarter bets in this category.

4. Over/Under Total Runs

One of the best betting types for short-format cricket is the over/under total runs market. In this market, you’re betting on whether the total number of runs scored by a team (or both teams combined) will be over or under a certain number set by the bookmaker.

For example, if the total runs line is set at 150.5, you can bet on whether the match will have more or fewer runs than this number. Given the explosive nature of T20 cricket, matches can swing from high-scoring affairs to low-scoring contests based on pitch conditions and team strategies.

Apbook and 12Bet both offer competitive odds on total runs markets, with real-time updates available as the game progresses. To succeed in this market, consider the teams’ batting line-ups, recent form, and whether the match is being played on a high-scoring ground.

5. Total Sixes

Short-format cricket, especially T20 matches, is known for its big hitting and frequent sixes. Betting on the total number of sixes in a match or series is a popular choice among punters. This market allows you to bet on whether the total number of sixes hit in a game will be over or under a certain number.

Platforms like 12Bet provide various markets for betting on sixes, including individual team totals or combined totals. Similarly, Apbook offers odds on specific players to hit the most sixes, which can be particularly profitable if you know a player like Kieron Pollard or Glenn Maxwell is in good form. Analyzing the ground size, pitch conditions, and power hitters in both line-ups can give you an edge in this market.

6. First Wicket Fall

In the first wicket fall market, you bet on how many runs will be scored before the first wicket falls in the match. This market is particularly intriguing in short-format cricket, where teams often go for quick runs from the start, which can either lead to an early wicket or a strong opening partnership.

Both 12Bet and Apbook offer this market, and successful betting in this category requires analyzing the form of opening batsmen and the opposing team’s bowling attack. If you know that a team has a weak opening pair or that the opposition has a particularly strong new-ball bowler, you might bet on the first wicket to fall early.

7. Method of Dismissal

For a more exotic betting option, consider the method of dismissal market. In this market, you’re betting on how a particular player will be dismissed—whether they will be caught, bowled, run out, or dismissed in some other way. This adds an extra layer of excitement to short-format cricket, where dismissals can happen in quick succession.

Platforms like Apbook offer odds on the method of dismissal, and this bet requires a deep understanding of the bowler’s strengths and the batsman’s weaknesses. For example, if a particular bowler is known for getting batsmen out bowled or LBW, betting on that method of dismissal could be a smart choice. 12Bet also provides live odds for this market, making it even more thrilling during high-pressure matches.

8. In-Play Betting

In-play betting, also known as live betting, is one of the most exciting ways to bet on short-format cricket. The fast-paced nature of T20 games means that odds can change rapidly, and being able to place bets as the action unfolds gives you the chance to react to real-time developments.

Both 12Bet and Apbook offer a range of live betting options, from betting on the next wicket to predicting the number of runs scored in an over. In-play betting is perfect for short-format cricket because it allows you to adjust your bets based on how the game is progressing. For example, if a team gets off to a slow start, the odds on them winning might increase, offering a valuable opportunity if you believe they can stage a comeback.

Conclusion

Short-format cricket, with its fast-paced action and high-stakes moments, provides an array of exciting betting opportunities. From traditional markets like match winner and top batsman to more exotic options like total sixes and method of dismissal, platforms like 12Bet and Apbook offer a wide range of betting types to explore.