Rules & Scoring
Fantasy cricket rules & scoring on FreeLineup Fantasy
This page explains how teams, points and leaderboards work on FreeLineup Fantasy. We use a simple, transparent scoring system so you always know how your fantasy XI earns points from real cricket matches.
Important to know
✅ Rules focus on cricket skill & performance.
✅ All contests are free, with zero real-money risk.
✅ We may adjust rules in future; latest rules are shown here.
1. Team structure & credits (overview)
For each contest, you build a fantasy XI from the two real teams playing that match. You must follow role limits and stay within a credit cap.
Example team combination (generic):
- Total players in team: 11
- 1–3 Wicket-Keepers (WK)
- 3–6 Batters (BAT)
- 1–4 All-Rounders (AR)
- 3–6 Bowlers (BOWL)
- Total team credits must not exceed the contest credit limit (for example: 100 credits).
Exact numbers can vary by contest or format. Any special rules or different limits will be clearly mentioned on the contest or team creation screen.
Credits system
Every player is given a credit value that reflects their expected impact in the match. While building your XI, the sum of all selected players’ credits must stay within the allowed limit.
This prevents “all-star” teams and makes selection strategy important. You have to find the right balance between high-credit stars and lower-credit value picks.
Captain & Vice-Captain
After selecting your XI, you must choose:
- 1 × Captain (C)
- 1 × Vice-Captain (VC)
They get points multipliers (explained below). Choose them carefully – they can decide your final rank.
2. Batting points (all formats)
These are the standard batting points used for T20, ODI and Test contests unless a contest clearly specifies a different rule set.
| Event | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Run scored | +1 point per run | For every run scored by the batter. |
| Boundary (4) | +1 bonus | In addition to run points. |
| Six (6) | +2 bonus | In addition to run points. |
| 30+ runs bonus | +4 | Awarded once per innings if player scores 30–49. |
| 50+ runs bonus | +8 | Replaces 30+ bonus (not added on top). |
| 100+ runs bonus | +16 | Replaces 30+ / 50+ bonus (highest applicable only). |
| Dismissed for duck (0) | -4 | Applied to batters & wicket-keepers only. Not applied to pure bowlers (as defined in the contest). |
If a batter is “retired hurt” or there is an unusual situation, we follow the official scorecard from our stats provider. In rare cases, corrections may be applied if the scorecard changes.
3. Bowling points
Bowlers earn points for wickets, maiden overs and special spells. These rules generally apply across formats unless the contest states otherwise.
| Event | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wicket (excluding run-out) | +25 | Applies to bowled, LBW, caught, stumped, hit wicket, etc. |
| 3-wicket haul | +8 | Awarded once per innings when a bowler takes 3 or more wickets. |
| 4-wicket haul | +12 | Replaces 3-wicket haul bonus (highest applicable only). |
| 5-wicket haul | +16 | Replaces 3/4-wicket haul bonuses (highest applicable only). |
| Maiden over (limited overs) | +8 | Applicable in T20/ODI contests only, per maiden over. |
“Wicket” points are not given for run-outs (those are covered under fielding). If a caught wicket is later changed to run-out or vice versa on the official scorecard, we may adjust points accordingly.
4. Fielding & wicket-keeping points
Good fielding can change a match. Fielders and wicket-keepers earn points for catches, stumpings and run-outs.
| Event | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Catch | +8 | Per catch taken by a fielder or wicket-keeper. |
| Stumping (keeper) | +12 | Awarded to the wicket-keeper only. |
| Run-out (direct hit) | +12 | Awarded to the fielder credited with the direct hit. |
| Run-out (assisted) | +6 each | If multiple fielders are involved, points may be shared. |
If the official scorecard reassigns a catch/run-out to a different player after the match, we may update points to match the final scorecard.
5. Economy rate & strike rate (T20/ODI only)
We use economy rate and strike rate bonuses/penalties in limited-overs contests to reward efficient bowling and smart batting. These apply only when the player has bowled or faced a minimum number of balls.
Bowling economy rate (T20 example)
Applies only if the bowler has bowled at least 2 overs in the match.
| Economy (runs per over) | Points |
|---|---|
| ≤ 5.00 | +8 |
| 5.01 – 6.00 | +6 |
| 6.01 – 7.00 | +4 |
| 7.01 – 9.00 | 0 |
| 9.01 – 10.00 | -4 |
| > 10.00 | -8 |
Similar bands may be adjusted for ODI contests (different limits). Any format-specific rules will be mentioned on the contest or match details screen.
Batting strike rate (T20 example)
Applies only if the batter has faced at least 10 balls in the match.
| Strike rate (runs per 100 balls) | Points |
|---|---|
| ≥ 170.0 | +8 |
| 150.0 – 169.9 | +6 |
| 130.0 – 149.9 | +4 |
| 70.0 – 129.9 | 0 |
| 50.0 – 69.9 | -4 |
| < 50.0 | -8 |
For ODI contests, strike rate ranges may be updated. Any format-specific changes will be clearly communicated inside the contest details.
6. Captain & Vice-Captain multipliers
Captains and vice-captains give you higher or lower points for the same real-life performance. Multipliers apply to that player’s total fantasy points (batting + bowling + fielding + bonuses).
| Role | Multiplier | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Captain (C) | ×2 | If C scores 50 points in total, you get 100 points. |
| Vice-Captain (VC) | ×1.5 | If VC scores 40 points in total, you get 60 points. |
If a match is shortened or affected by rain, multipliers still apply to whatever valid points your C and VC earn, based on the final scorecard.
7. Special cases & clarifications
Match abandoned or no result:
If a match is abandoned without enough play for a valid fantasy outcome, the contest may be cancelled or handled as per the contest rules. In such cases, points and leaderboards may be reset.
Super over / tie-breaks:
Unless specifically mentioned, stats from Super Over or bowl-outs are usually not counted for fantasy points. We follow the guidance from the official scorecard provider.
Substitutes / impact players:
For substitutes or impact players, we follow what is recorded on the official scorecard. If a player comes in as a substitute and bat/bowls/fields, their stats may count if our stats feed includes them for that match.
Late corrections & disputes:
If the official scorecard is updated after the match (for example, wicket type changed), we may adjust fantasy points. Our decision will be guided by the final official scorecard data.
If any rule on this page conflicts with rules shown inside a specific contest, the rules displayed inside that contest at the time of team creation will normally be treated as the correct ones for that contest.
8. Leaderboard & fair play
Contest leaderboard
- Your rank is based on your total fantasy points in that contest.
- In case of tie on points, the tie-break might consider earlier team creation time or show users as tied – details may be mentioned in the contest.
- Because there are no cash prizes, leaderboards are for competitive fun and learning.
Fair play policy
- Each user should use only their own account and follow our Terms & Conditions.
- Sharing or selling accounts or teams is not allowed.
- Any attempt to manipulate contests, misuse data or exploit technical issues is not permitted.
- We may restrict or close accounts that seriously violate rules or fair play expectations.
9. Safety & legal note (India)
These rules describe how fantasy points and rankings work on FreeLineup Fantasy. They do not change our core positioning:
- FreeLineup Fantasy is a free-to-play fantasy cricket platform with no deposits, no entry fees and no cash prizes.
- All contests are games of skill based on team selection, cricket knowledge and strategy.
- Laws around online games and fantasy formats can differ by Indian state and may change.
- Users from states such as Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim and Telangana should be especially cautious and review local rules before playing.
This page is for information and clarity. It is not legal advice. For detailed legal and responsible gaming information, please see our Responsible Gaming page and Terms & Conditions.
Ready to build your next fantasy XI?
Now that you understand how points are calculated, you can focus fully on what matters: reading matches, spotting form and building clever fantasy teams – all without risking real money.