Agnideb Bandyopadhyay
Freelance cricket writer

Image source, Getty Images

Fantasy team apps have allowed a considerable cross-section of people to find a sense of regularity, the opportunity to strategise and the prospect of a return - and bragging rights over friends, family and colleagues of course.

The IPL is no different in that regard with the app particularly effective in reaching lower-middle and lower income communities.

On the opening day of the 2024 tournament Dream 11 reported, external 1.1m new s and 15.01m concurrent s.

Brands that are associated with the fantasy apps have also invested significantly in securing primary sponsorship deals with most franchises, making them synonymous with the IPL months.

These legalised platforms have managed to attract people across age groups with major stars endorsing the apps, and the promise of prizes as high as $350,000 (approx £260,000) on every match against affordable and nominal entry fees.

Recently, India ODI captain Rohit Sharma, who represents Mumbai Indians in the IPL, gifted his own luxury car to a winner of a contest organised by one of the major fantasy team apps in India.

That allows fans like Nasir Sheikh to get closer to the game and the stars, and be part of something where every success story feels personal.

It is an annual festival, an accessible dream, with Nasir's work barely paying enough to put food on the table but nothing will get in the way of him following his beloved IPL.

He checks score updates on free wifi or sneaks a peek at a fellow engers screen to catch some of the action.

Failing that, he signs up for five-minute free trials for the platforms streaming to watch snippets of the matches.

Image source, BCCI/IPL

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a top-two finish at the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they chased 228 to beat Lucknow Super Giants in an enthralling final match of the group stage.

Virat Kohli's eighth half-century of the tournament helped set RCB's platform and build a recovery from losing two wickets in two balls to New Zealand seamer Will O'Rourke, including England's Liam Livingstone for a golden duck.

Kohli fell for 54, but a sensational stand of 107 from just 45 balls between stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal sealed a six-wicket win with eight balls remaining.

In an eventful 17th over bowled by spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi, Jitesh survived being dismissed from a no-ball and then the bowler tried to run him out in his follow-through at the non-striker's end - often known as a Mankad.

Jitesh was out of his crease, but LSG captain Rishabh Pant withdrew the appeal and left RCB needing 28 from the last three overs.

Jitesh made the most of his lifeline, striking two fours and three sixes - including one for the winning runs - from his next eight balls, and finished unbeaten on 85 from 33.

O'Rourke's two wickets counted for very little in the end, as he finished with figures of 2-74.

LSG were already eliminated before the match, but Pant's stunning 118 not out from 61 balls was in vain as they were unable to finish their campaign on a high.

Pant hit 11 fours and eight sixes, and added 152 for the second wicket with Australia's Mitchell Marsh, who made a blistering 67 from 37 balls in their imposing 227-3.

RCB have never won the tournament but the win gives them two chances to reach the IPL final. The winner of the first qualifier between RCB and Punjab Kings, who finished top, will proceed to the final on 3 June but the loser will get another opportunity by facing the winner of the Eliminator.

Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, who finished third and fourth respectively, play in the Eliminator on 30 May.

IPL play-off schedule

29 May: Qualifier 1 - Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bengaluru

30 May: Eliminator - Gujarat Titans v Mumbai Indians

1 June: Qualifier 2 - loser of Qualifier 1 v winner of Eliminator

3 June: Final - winner of Qualifier 1 v winner of Qualifier 2