How to Bet on Test Cricket — Key Points
- Log in → go to Cricket → select the Test match → choose a market → enter stake → confirm
- Main markets: Match Odds (win/draw/lose), Session Runs (Fancy), Top Batsman, Top Bowler
- Test matches run 5 days — multiple markets open and close each session
- IND vs AFG Test: June 6–10, 2026 · New Chandigarh · India heavily favoured
- ENG vs NZ 1st Test: June 4–8, 2026 · Lord’s Cricket Ground
- Back bet = you win if your pick wins | Lay bet = you win if your pick loses
- Start small on test cricket — 5-day format means odds shift dramatically by session
📋 Table of Contents
1. Test Matches Live Right Now (June 2026)
Two high-profile Test series are running simultaneously this week — and both carry serious betting interest for Indian cricket fans.
| Match | Venue | Dates | Series | Betting Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN India vs Afghanistan | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, New Chandigarh | June 6–10, 2026 | Only Test (AFG in India 2026) |
✅ In-play markets open |
| England vs New Zealand | Lord's Cricket Ground, London | June 4–8, 2026 | 1st of 3 Tests · Crowe-Thorpe Trophy |
✅ Day 2 in-play active |
IND vs AFG Preview: This is only the second-ever Test between these sides. Shubman Gill leads India in his first Test as captain, while Rashid Khan spearheads Afghanistan's attack. India is the heavy favourite — but session betting and top batsman markets remain very active with good odds.
ENG vs NZ Preview: England (led by Ben Stokes) host New Zealand for the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy — a 3-Test series. The 1st Test at Lord's started June 4. England needs wins badly — they are 8th in the WTC standings with only 3 wins in 10 matches.
2. What Makes Test Match Betting Different
Test cricket runs for up to 5 days and 2 innings per team. That creates more betting opportunities than any other format — but also means the game can swing completely between morning and evening of the same day.
Most new bettors start with T20 matches because they’re short and simple. But once you understand test cricket, the betting depth is far richer.
| Match | Venue | Dates | Series | Betting Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN India vs Afghanistan | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, New Chandigarh | June 6–10, 2026 | Only Test (AFG in India 2026) |
✅ In-play markets open |
| England vs New Zealand | Lord's Cricket Ground, London | June 4–8, 2026 | 1st of 3 Tests · Crowe-Thorpe Trophy |
✅ Day 2 in-play active |
In test cricket, a team that is 200/1 on Day 1 can be fighting to draw by Day 4. Those swings are exactly where smart bettors make money — if they understand how to place bet on test match correctly.
3. Step-by-Step: How to Place Bet on Test Match
Below is the exact process used on most Indian betting exchanges. The flow is similar on all major platforms including Diamond Exchange ID.
1. Log In to Your Betting Account
Open your exchange platform and log in with your credentials. If you don't have an account, get your Cricket ID from your agent or platform — usually via WhatsApp in 5–10 minutes.
2. Navigate to Cricket → Test Matches
From the home screen, click on "Cricket" in the left sidebar or top nav. Under the "In-Play" or "Today's Matches" section, you'll see ongoing test matches listed with live odds.
3. Open the Match and Select a Market
Click on the match (e.g., India vs Afghanistan). You'll see multiple tabs: Match Odds, Fancy (Sessions), Bookmaker, Top Batsman, etc. Start with Match Odds if you're new — it's the simplest market.
4. Choose Back or Lay
Back (Blue button) = You think this team/player will win. Lay (Pink button) = You think this team/player will NOT win. For beginners, always start with Back bets only.
5. Enter Your Stake and Confirm
Type your stake amount in the bet slip. The platform will show your potential profit automatically. Double-check the odds and stake, then click "Place Bet." You'll get a confirmation immediately.
6. Track Your Bet and Cash Out if Needed
Go to "My Bets" or "Open Bets" to see your active positions. Most platforms offer a Cash Out option if the market moves in your favour and you want to lock in profit early — very useful in 5-day tests.
💡 Pro Tip: In test cricket, the best time to place match odds bets is after the toss result. The team bowling first on a fresh pitch at Lord's or New Chandigarh has a significant early advantage — odds shift within minutes of toss.
4. All Test Cricket Betting Markets Explained
Test match betting goes far beyond just picking who wins the game. Here are all the major markets you’ll find when you bet on test cricket.
🏆 Match Odds
Bet on Team A Win, Team B Win, or Draw. Three-way market. Most liquid market in test betting.
📊 Session Runs (Fancy)
Bet on how many runs will be scored in a specific session (morning/afternoon/evening). Settles every session independently.
🏏 Top Batsman
Which batsman will score the most runs in an innings. One of the highest-paying markets in test cricket.
🎯 Top Bowler
Which bowler takes the most wickets in an innings. Best value when a pitch assists spin or seam heavily.
🥇 First Innings Lead
Which team will score more runs in their first innings. Often settles by Day 2–3. Strong predictor of final result.
⚡ Man of the Match
Which player will be awarded MOTM. Usually high odds. Best placed after Day 2 when a standout performer is visible.
🎲 Bookmaker (BM)
Which player will be awarded MOTM. Usually high odds. Best placed after Day 2 when a standout performer is visible.
🔢 Over/Under Runs
Fixed-odds market run by the platform. Odds are simpler. BM market on test cricket runs session-by-session with suspended periods.
| Market | When It Settles | Risk Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match Odds | After match ends (Day 5) | Medium | All bettors |
| Session Runs (Fancy) | Each session (3/day) | Low-Medium | Active punters |
| Top Batsman | End of innings | Medium-High | Cricket analysts |
| Top Bowler | End of innings | High | Pitch/conditions experts |
| First Innings Lead | After both 1st innings | Low | Conservative bettors |
| Man of the Match | After match ends | High | High-risk high-reward |
5. Session Betting (Fancy Markets) — Most Popular Among Indian Bettors
Session betting is the most popular form of betting on test cricket in India. If you’ve heard the term “fancy bet,” this is it.
Each day of a test match has 3 sessions: Morning (9:30–11:30 AM IST), Afternoon (12:10–2:10 PM IST), Evening (2:30–4:30 PM IST). Each session has its own run-rate market.
How Session Fancy Betting Works
The platform sets a line — say, “India session runs: 65.” You bet YES (Over 65) or NO (Under 65) at fixed odds. Settlement happens at the exact end of that session. It’s fast, it’s specific, and you don’t need to wait 5 days for a result.
🏏 Example: IND vs AFG, Day 1 Morning Session. Platform sets line at 55 runs. You Back "Over 55" at 1.90 odds with ₹1000 stake. India score 67 runs in the session → You win ₹900 profit. Simple as that.
Key Fancy Market Lines to Watch
The platform sets a line — say, “India session runs: 65.” You bet YES (Over 65) or NO (Under 65) at fixed odds. Settlement happens at the exact end of that session. It’s fast, it’s specific, and you don’t need to wait 5 days for a result.
| Fancy Market | What It Means | Typical Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Session Runs | Runs in Morning session | 45–70 |
| 1st Innings Runs | Total first innings score | 250–350 |
| Batsman Runs (e.g., Shubman Gill) | Individual player total runs | 35–55 |
| Wickets in Session | How many wickets fall per session | 2–4 |
| 50-run Partnership | Will a partnership of 50+ runs happen? | Yes/No |
6. How Odds Work When You Bet on Test Cricket
Test cricket uses decimal odds on most Indian exchanges. Understanding them properly is the single most important thing before you place any bet.
Decimal Odds — Quick Explanation
| Odds | Stake | Total Return | Net Profit | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20 (heavy favourite) | ₹1000 | ₹1200 | ₹200 | 83% |
| 1.80 | ₹1000 | ₹1800 | ₹800 | 56% |
| 2.50 | ₹1000 | ₹2500 | ₹1500 | 40% |
| 5.00 | ₹1000 | ₹5000 | ₹4000 | 20% |
| 10.00 (longshot) | ₹1000 | ₹10,000 | ₹9000 | 10% |
For IND vs AFG, India’s match odds will likely be around 1.05–1.15 — extremely short odds because they are a massive favourite at home. The value in this match is not in backing India to win outright, but in the session and top batsman markets where odds are more generous.
Back vs Lay — Simple Example
Back Bet on India to win vs AFG: Odds 1.10 · Stake ₹1000 → Profit ₹100 if India win, lose ₹1000 if they don’t. Low reward because outcome is almost certain.
Lay Bet on AFG to win: Odds 15.0 · Stake ₹1000 → You win ₹1000 if AFG don’t win, but lose ₹14,000 if Afghanistan win. High liability — only for experienced bettors with proper bank management.
7. Test Cricket Betting Strategies That Actually Work
After 20+ years watching test cricket markets, these are the approaches that consistently provide an edge — not guaranteed wins, but better decisions.
Strategy 01
Bet After Toss. The toss in test cricket is worth 25–35 runs on average. Odds shift immediately. Wait for toss result before placing match odds. The pitch and weather matter most in sessions 1 and 2.
Strategy 02
Focus on Day 1 Session 1. The first session of a test sets the tone. If the pitch looks green (like Lord's in June), opening bowlers dominate. If flat (like New Chandigarh), batsmen tend to score heavily.
Strategy 03
Use First Innings Lead Market. This market settles after both teams complete their first innings — no need to wait 5 days. If a side is dominant in batting, this is a lower-risk entry point vs full match odds.
Strategy 04
In-Play Session Management. Don't back a team to win on Day 1 when they're 150/5. Wait. If they collapse to 200 all out, odds on the opposition shorten fast — that's your entry window.
Strategy 05
Track Pitch Reports. For ENG vs NZ at Lord's — the pitch in June aids early swing. New Chandigarh (first-ever Test here) is expected to be flat initially, good for batsmen in the first two days.
Strategy 06
Set a Session Bankroll. Divide your total betting budget by the number of sessions (15 sessions in a 5-day test). Bet only 5–7% per session. This prevents chasing losses on a bad session.
⚠️ Common Mistake to Avoid: Many bettors place huge match odds bets on Day 1 thinking the result is obvious. Test cricket is notorious for reversals — the 2019 Headingley Ashes is one of hundreds of examples. Always bet in proportion to your bankroll and understanding.
8. Where to Bet on Test Cricket in India
After 20+ years watching test cricket markets, these are the approaches that consistently provide an edge — not guaranteed wins, but better decisions.
| Platform | Test Cricket Markets | Fancy/Session Bets | Withdrawal Speed | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Diamond Exchange ID (diamondexch99) | ✅ Full coverage | ✅ Yes, all sessions | ✅ Fast (30–60 min) | ✅ WhatsApp |
| Other Exchange A | ✅ Match odds only | ⚠ Limited | ⚠ 2–4 hrs | ⚠ Email only |
| Other Exchange B | ✅ Full | ✅ Yes | ⚠ 1–2 hrs | ⚠ Chat support |
⚠️ Legal Note for Indian Users: Online cricket betting exists in a regulatory grey zone in India. The Public Gambling Act 1867 covers land-based gambling and does not directly address online platforms. Most betting exchanges used by Indians are licensed offshore. Individual state laws vary — Goa, Sikkim, and Meghalaya have different rules. Always check applicable state regulations before placing bets. Only bet what you can afford to lose.
