Comparison

PitchRival vs Dream11

Both are fantasy cricket apps. But they solve completely different problems. Here's the honest breakdown — including exactly who each platform is built for.

Dream11

Daily fantasy. New team every match.

  • →Pick 11 players for one match
  • →Compete in public contests or private battles
  • →Cash prizes on the line
  • →No season — each game is standalone
  • →No drafts, no trades, no rosters

Best for: Fans who want fast, match-by-match competition with real money stakes and no long-term commitment.

Season-long

PitchRival

League fantasy. Draft once, compete all season.

  • ✓Draft your full squad at the start of the season
  • ✓Private league with your friends or colleagues
  • ✓Weekly head-to-head matchups
  • ✓Manage your roster with trades and waivers
  • ✓Playoffs and championship at the end

Best for: Friends, offices, or cricket groups who want a full-season competition with strategy, bragging rights, and a commissioner.

Feature comparison

FeatureDream11PitchRival
League typeDaily fantasy contestsSeason-long private leagues
Team selectionPick fresh 11 each matchDraft once, manage all season
Competition formatPublic pools / small privateH2H matchups vs same friends all season
Roster managementNone (new team each game)Trades, waivers, waiver wire
DraftNo draftSnake draft or auction draft
Commissioner toolsNoneFull commissioner controls
Captain & Vice-captainYes (per match)Yes (per gameweek, 2× / 1.5×)
PlayoffsNoSemis + championship bracket
ScoringPer-matchSeason-long, week-by-week
CostEntry fees for contestsFree

Which platform is right for you?

Choose Dream11 if…

  • ·You want to compete in public contests with cash prizes
  • ·You prefer match-by-match flexibility (pick a new team every game)
  • ·You don't want a long-term season commitment
  • ·You enjoy competing against thousands of strangers

Choose PitchRival if…

  • ✓You want to compete in a private league with friends or colleagues
  • ✓You want ESPN-style fantasy sports but for IPL cricket
  • ✓You want to draft your squad and manage it all season
  • ✓You care about trades, waivers, standings, and playoffs
  • ✓You want to be the commissioner of your own league

Common questions

Is PitchRival a Dream11 alternative?

PitchRival and Dream11 serve different purposes. Dream11 is a daily fantasy platform where you pick a fresh team for every match and compete for cash prizes. PitchRival is a season-long league platform where you draft a squad once, manage it all season through trades and waivers, and compete against a fixed group of friends — more like a private cricket fantasy league than a contest site. If you want the private-league, ESPN-style experience, PitchRival is the right choice.

Can I play Dream11-style daily contests on PitchRival?

No — PitchRival is built for season-long leagues only. There are no single-match contests or prize pools. Every team commits to the full IPL season through a draft, then competes week-to-week in head-to-head matchups.

Does PitchRival cost money to play?

PitchRival is completely free. Unlike Dream11 where entry fees are standard, PitchRival charges nothing to create a league, draft players, or play through the season.

What is season-long fantasy cricket?

Season-long fantasy cricket means you draft a squad of real IPL players at the start of the season and manage that roster for the full season. You can't swap your whole team every match — instead you make targeted moves through waivers and trades. Your squad earns points from every IPL match each week, and you face a new head-to-head opponent each gameweek. The team with the best record at the end of the regular season advances to the playoffs.

Is PitchRival like ESPN Fantasy Football but for cricket?

Yes — that's the closest comparison. PitchRival is modelled on the ESPN/Yahoo fantasy sports format: private leagues, snake or auction draft, a season-long schedule of head-to-head matchups, a waiver wire, trade offers, commissioner tools, and playoffs. The only difference is the sport is IPL cricket instead of NFL football.

Does PitchRival use real IPL stats?

Yes. PitchRival syncs live match stats from the IPL 2026 season via CricketData API. Points update in real time during matches and are finalised when the match ends.

Ready to start your league?

PitchRival is free. Set up your league, run the draft, and compete with friends all IPL season.

Create a league — freeRead the guide →