Cricket is the second most popular sport today, with nearly 2.5 billion fans worldwide, and we have excellent news for each one of them. Thanks to technology, fans no longer need to wait for the next match to have fun. Enter SRL (Simulated Reality League) cricket. SRL cricket combines next-generation computing sciences with vast amounts of statistical data of real-life events to create ultra-realistic simulated matches.
Here’s how SRL is transforming the cricket world.
Off the Bat
The connection between cricket and computing technologies isn’t new. Hawkeye technology was introduced in a game between England and the Pakistan cricket team in 2001. Hawkeye is a highly accurate ball-tracking system that can predict a ball’s trajectory with a precision of 5 millimeters.
It’s used to aid referees in their decisions and for live broadcasts, bringing information such as bowlers’ speeds, length, swing, and spin. SRL matches factor in all this information, using algorithms to create entirely virtual outcomes. Typically, these simulations count on a database of the past 200 matches of each side, mixing individual and collective statistics.
Parallel Worlds
Simulations are based on the Twenty20 format, with 20 overs and six balls per over for each side. Unsurprisingly, betting on the Simulated Reality League’s next match is becoming a trend among cricket fans. It’s also a highly effective way to reach younger audiences more interested in digital entertainment than real-life sports.
Indeed, the rise of virtual sports is in stark contrast to the decrease in viewership of physical sports, like soccer or basketball. Similarly, SRL matches can attract younger fans who may be less interested in the sport. Additionally, the new way of consuming sports creates new opportunities for sponsorships for the teams involved, fuelling the sports betting market.
The latest market forecasts for virtual sports point to a bright future. This segment is expected to reach a global market size of more than USD 72 billion by 2033, with an annual growth of 16.48% until then. Here are some of the most popular cricket SRLs today.
The Indian Premier League
The IPL is easily the most prestigious international Twenty20 competition today. Indeed, the country boasts some of the finest athletes in the sport, and the IPL also brings international stars into the mix. The organization’s commercial approach to the IPL has turned it into internationally acclaimed entertainment, resulting in massive popularity for its SRL version.
The Big Bash League
The Australian Big Bash League is one of the most-watched cricket tournaments, sponsored by the international restaurant chain KFC. Likewise, the SRL Big Bash is also one of the most successful. The BBL has eight teams fighting for the title. The Perth Scorchers deserve special attention since they’re the most successful team in this competition, boasting five championships to date.
The Pakistan Super League
The PSL is among the top 5 most popular cricket competitions in the sport. Naturally, the SRL PSL enjoys part of this popularity and attracts many fans to its simulated matches. The competition has risen in the past few years thanks to the increasing quality of its athletes. According to the Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, part of the PSL’s success comes from the friendly environment created to foster young talents in the country. For example, nearly 70 Pakistani players have been drafted to the BBL last year.
The Last Bash
Virtual sports offer fans a new way to engage with their favorite leagues and create a new market for the sports betting industry. However, it’s vital to remember that SRL results often differ from real-life results. This shouldn’t be surprising, as we rarely see repeated results in two matches in real life. In fact, this difference makes it even more exciting since there’s always suspense regarding the final results.