Think of PickXI as a live auction for cricket talent — except you are not bidding money. You and one opponent take turns claiming players. The moment you tap a name, that cricketer is locked out of your rival’s XI. That single rule is why PickXI feels different from traditional fantasy cricket.
1. Choose your mode: Live Match or Classic Match
Live Match lets you pick an upcoming fixture from the daily list. Contests appear across T20 leagues and limited-overs internationals — IPL, BBL, PSL, CPL, SA20, ICC events, ODIs, and more. PickXI does not support Test matches. You draft before the first ball, then watch fantasy points accrue as the real match plays out. Classic Match deals you the squads, ground, and year from a real, already-finished match — never the scorecard — against an automatically matched opponent. You draft on cricket judgment alone and get the verdict the moment the draft ends, and a fixture is never repeated. Choose a game you actually follow — draft skill rises when you know the conditions, bowling matchups, and likely roles.
2. Challenge a friend or match instantly
Start a private 1v1 if you want to settle a debate with a friend. If nobody is free, instant matchmaking pairs you with another cricket fan (Classic Match pairs you automatically). Either way, it is always two unique teams, never a packed field of cloned XIs.
3. Draft your Playing XI live
You take turns selecting batters, bowlers, all-rounders, and a wicketkeeper. Because picks are exclusive, you must decide whether to grab a proven opener now or wait for a cheaper bowling option later.
4. Pick within 30 seconds
Each turn has a 30-second timer. If you do not select a player in time, that turn is forfeited and the draft continues — nobody, including your opponent, ever picks a player into your XI for you. The clock keeps the contest fair and fast: cricket knowledge matters, but so does a clear plan. Need a moment longer? Spend diamonds to buy extra seconds on your turn.
Can both of you pick the same player? No. Once a player is selected, they cannot be chosen again in that contest. There is no copying your opponent’s squad.
5. Set your Captain for double points
Once your Playing XI is complete, tap one of your own players to make them Captain. Everything that player scores counts double, so the Captain call matters as much as the draft itself.
6. Track live fantasy scores
In Live Match, points update from on-field performance as the real match happens — the live scoreboard shows your standing against your rival before the result is final. In Classic Match, the verdict arrives the moment both XIs are complete. See the published scoring rules — the in-app table for a contest is always the source of truth. Every ball (or, in Classic Match, every reveal) can swing the head-to-head because your rival has a completely different set of players.
7. The higher score wins
The Playing XI with the higher fantasy score wins the contest. Winning also moves your points balance, rank tier, and streak — but fantasy points are never cash: PickXI has no entry fee and no prizes. Simple to learn, sharp to master — especially when you have denied your opponent the one batter who went on to play a match-winning knock.
Draft tips that actually help
- Decide your must-have names before the timer starts so you do not freeze on turn one.
- Do not only chase the most famous batter. Exclusive bowling and keeping options win plenty of 1v1s.
- If you know a pitch favours spin, lock that specialist before your opponent does.
- Save your Captain pick for whoever is most likely to bat deep or bowl a full quota of overs — the 2× multiplier rewards a big game, not just a big name.
- Missed a turn? Stay calm. The next pick can still unbalance their XI.
How to play FAQs
Before the match starts. You lock a unique Playing XI in turns, then live scores follow the real game.
No. Exclusive picks are the core rule. Once a name is taken, it is locked for the rest of the contest.
That turn is forfeited and your opponent continues. Stay ready with a shortlist.
No. PickXI covers T20 leagues and limited-overs internationals only.
A draft over a real, already-finished match from cricket history. You see the squads, ground, and year — never the scorecard — and get matched with an opponent automatically. No fixture repeats.
Name one player in your XI as Captain once your draft is complete. Every fantasy point that player earns is doubled.
See why exclusive drafts beat cloned teams · PickXI vs Dream11 · PickXI vs MyPick11