Guides/How to Play
How to Play Dream11
Learn how to play Dream11 from scratch: creating an account, building your first XI, choosing a captain, joining contests, and withdrawing winnings. No prior experience needed.
What is Dream11?
Dream11 is a fantasy cricket platform where you build a virtual XI from real players in an upcoming match, score points based on their real-world performance, and win cash prizes if your roster outranks others. It is a game of skill — your cricket knowledge is the primary input.
Step 1: Create your free account
Download the Dream11 app (available on Android and iOS) or open dream11.com in your browser. Tap Sign Up, enter your mobile number, and verify with an OTP. You do not need to add money to browse the platform or read contest details.
Step 2: Pick an upcoming match
Every match on Dream11 opens a lobby 2–5 days before the first ball. Browse the available contests — from ₹1 Practice rooms to ₹500+ Mega rooms. You can enter a Practice contest to feel the format before paying anything.
Step 3: Build your XI
Select 11 players from both teams within the role constraints: 1 wicketkeeper, 3–6 batsmen, 1–4 all-rounders, 3–6 bowlers. Each contest shows a credit budget — you cannot spend more than what's available. Stay within the budget while maximising your XI's expected output.
Step 4: Choose a captain and vice-captain
Your captain scores 2× points, your vice-captain scores 1.5×. This single decision has more impact on your final score than any other. Read the pitch report, check recent form, and pick someone who will bat high in the order. Differentiated captaincy — a less-commonly picked player — wins small leagues. Consensus captaincy wins mega leagues.
Step 5: Join a contest room
Dream11 rooms are named by type: Mega League (big prize pool, 100 players), Small League (3–10 players, captain edge is loudest), Head-to-Head (1v1), Winner-Takes-All (only rank 1 pays), and Double Prize Pool (top 30% get paid, lower variance). Pick a room that matches your confidence level and budget.
Step 6: Know when your room locks
Toss-locked rooms close the moment the coin is tossed — no changes after that. Live rooms let you edit your XI until the first ball is bowled. If you are unsure about a playing XI, join a toss-locked room to protect yourself from last-minute changes.
Step 7: Track your score live
Once the match starts, your points accumulate in real time. The captain multiplier applies automatically. Most players only open the live score screen at innings break — that is a mistake. The first-innings score tells you exactly what your captain needs in the second innings to win.
Step 8: Withdraw your winnings
After a match concludes, results are updated within 30–60 minutes. Winnings are credited to your Dream11 wallet. You can withdraw to your bank account (minimum ₹200) or use the balance to join more contests. KYC verification is required before your first withdrawal.
Playing from restricted states
As of June 2026, Dream11 is not available for download in Telangana, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam. Players in these states cannot create new accounts or join contests. Tamil Nadu allows Dream11 — the 2021 ban was lifted in 2023. Karnataka allows Dream11; there is no active ban. Government employees should check their service rules before participating, as some departments restrict fantasy sports participation.
Read the other guides on the Guides hub, or take what you've learned straight to the decision matrix.
Build Your Dream11 Team