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Bharat Cricket 19: The Definitive Desi Cricket Gaming Experience

Bharat Cricket 19 gameplay screenshot showing Indian cricket team at Wankhede Stadium

Bharat Cricket 19 isn’t just another cricket game for the Indian market—it’s a labour of love crafted exclusively for the billion-strong cricket crazy audience of India who live and breathe this sport every single day. Launched in April 2019 by Bharat Gaming Studios Pvt. Ltd., a homegrown Indian developer based in Pune, Bharat Cricket 19 quickly became the numero uno cricket simulation game in the country, leaving behind international titles that failed to capture the true essence of desi cricket. Unlike generic cricket games that add Indian team kits as an afterthought, Bharat Cricket 19 was built from the ground up with India in mind—right from the Hinglish commentary to the nuanced representation of domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and of course, the glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL) that has become a national obsession.

What truly sets Bharat Cricket 19 apart from its competitors is its unwavering commitment to authenticity that resonates with every Indian cricket fan, whether they’re from the bustling metros of Mumbai and Delhi or the small towns of Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. The development team spent over two years researching every aspect of Indian cricket—from interviewing former Ranji Trophy players in small towns to capturing the unique atmosphere of local cricket grounds in rural India. This attention to detail is evident in every corner of Bharat Cricket 19, whether you’re playing a village cricket match with plastic stumps or leading the Indian national team to victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

In the Indian gaming landscape, which is dominated by casual mobile games and hyper-casual titles, Bharat Cricket 19 stood out for its depth and attention to desi sensibilities. Released across all major platforms—PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, and iOS—Bharat Cricket 19 made cricket gaming accessible to every segment of Indian society. By the end of 2019, the mobile version had crossed 20 million downloads on the Google Play Store alone, with a staggering 4.8/5 rating from over 1.5 million reviews—a testament to how well Bharat Cricket 19 connected with the Indian gaming community. What made this achievement even more remarkable was that Bharat Cricket 19 was developed by an Indian team with a fraction of the budget of international cricket game developers, yet it outperformed them in the Indian market by understanding the local audience better.

Did You Know? 🤔 Bharat Cricket 19 was the first cricket game to feature gully cricket rules—including "do-paanch" (two runs for a boundary), "chappal wicket" (stumps made from slippers), and "no LBW" rules that are popular in Indian street cricket!

At its core, Bharat Cricket 19 is designed to be both accessible to the chhota bachcha (young kid) playing on a budget smartphone in Bihar and challenging enough for the hardcore gamer in Bengaluru who plays on a high-end PC. The mobile controls are optimized for Indian users—with simple swipe gestures for batting (tap to defend, swipe up for a shot, swipe side to side for cuts and pulls) and intuitive tap controls for bowling (select your delivery type, aim, and release). For console and PC players, Bharat Cricket 19 offers more granular controls, allowing for precise foot movement, shot selection, and bowling variations like the doosra, yorker, and slower ball—all of which are staples of modern Indian cricket. This balance between accessibility and depth is what made Bharat Cricket 19 a household name across urban and rural India alike.

Localization is where Bharat Cricket 19 truly excelled and left international competitors behind. The game features commentary in six Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Bengali—along with Hinglish (the mix of Hindi and English that is the lingua franca of Indian cricket commentary). The commentary team includes legendary Indian cricket voices like Harsha Bhogle, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, and regional commentators like Srikkanth Srinivasan (Tamil) and Vijay Lokapally (Hindi), who deliver lines like "What a shot! Uska baap bhi nahi dekha hoga aisa shot!" (Even his father hasn’t seen such a shot!) and "Ye wicket match ka turning point ban sakta hai!" (This wicket could be the turning point of the match). The stadiums in Bharat Cricket 19 are recreated with pinpoint accuracy—right down to the advertising hoardings featuring Indian brands like Amul, Hero MotoCorp, and Paytm, and the crowd chants of "India! India!" or "IPL! IPL!" that echo through the stands during matches.

Weather and pitch conditions in Bharat Cricket 19 are tailored to Indian climates, adding a layer of realism that international games simply can’t match. Players experience hot, dry days in Delhi that make pitches hard and bouncy, humid afternoons in Chennai that turn the pitch into a spinner’s paradise, and occasional rain delays in Kolkata during the monsoon season—all of which impact gameplay in authentic ways. A damp pitch in Kolkata makes swing bowling more effective, while a dry pitch in Hyderabad gives spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja more turn and bounce. These small but crucial details make Bharat Cricket 19 not just a game, but a true simulation of what it’s like to play cricket across different regions of India.

For Indian gamers, Bharat Cricket 19 is more than just entertainment—it’s a way to live out their cricketing dreams. Whether you’re a teenager from a small village in Rajasthan who dreams of playing for India, a college student in Pune who never misses an IPL match, or a middle-aged professional in Mumbai who played club cricket in his youth, Bharat Cricket 19 lets you step into the shoes of your favorite players. You can create your own custom player, start your career in local gully cricket, work your way up through the Ranji Trophy, get picked by an IPL franchise, and eventually captain the Indian national team to World Cup glory—a fantasy that millions of Indian cricket fans share. This emotional connection is what makes Bharat Cricket 19 more than just a game; it’s a celebration of India’s love affair with cricket.

Another aspect that endeared Bharat Cricket 19 to Indian fans is its representation of regional cricket cultures. The game includes regional tournaments from different parts of India—the Mumbai Maidan cricket culture, the street cricket of Chennai’s Mylapore area, the rural cricket tournaments of Punjab with their massive local crowds, and the coastal cricket of Kerala played on matting wickets. Each of these regional variations has unique rules and gameplay mechanics that reflect the local style of cricket, making Bharat Cricket 19 a truly pan-Indian gaming experience. Whether you’re playing a "tape ball" cricket match in Hyderabad or a "tennis ball" match in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, Bharat Cricket 19 captures the unique flavor of cricket as it’s played across India, not just the formal version played in international stadiums.

One of the most impressive achievements of Bharat Cricket 19 is its optimization for low-end Android devices, which are prevalent in rural and semi-urban India. The development team worked tirelessly to reduce the game’s file size to under 1GB without compromising on quality, making it accessible to gamers with budget smartphones and limited internet bandwidth. This was a game-changer in rural India, where high-speed internet is still a luxury, and gamers often download games via Bluetooth or share them on local Wi-Fi networks. By making Bharat Cricket 19 accessible to this segment of the Indian population, the developers ensured that the game reached every corner of the country, not just the urban centers with high-speed internet and expensive gaming devices.

Gameplay Mechanics in Bharat Cricket 19

Bharat Cricket 19’s gameplay is a masterclass in balancing realism and desi-style fun—a feat that few cricket games have achieved in the Indian market. The developers at Bharat Gaming Studios understood that Indian cricket fans demand authenticity, but they also want the game to be enjoyable and reflective of how cricket is actually played in India, not just the technical version seen in international matches. This balance is evident in every aspect of Bharat Cricket 19, from the batting and bowling mechanics to the fielding and career modes, all of which are designed with Indian cricket sensibilities at their core.

Batting: The Heart of Desi Cricket 🎯

Batting is where Bharat Cricket 19 truly shines, and it’s no surprise—Indians are obsessed with batting, and the game caters to this obsession perfectly. Unlike international cricket games that focus on technical shot selection, Bharat Cricket 19’s batting system is based on the "timing and placement" mechanic that is characteristic of Indian batting styles. The game rewards players for playing the right shot at the right time, rather than just mashing buttons or relying on power. For example, if a fast bowler bowls a short ball outside off stump, a well-timed pull shot to the square leg boundary will yield four runs, but a mistimed shot will result in a top edge or a caught behind—just like in real Indian cricket.

What makes Bharat Cricket 19’s batting unique is the inclusion of "desi shots" that are rarely seen in international cricket games but are staples of Indian cricket, both at the professional and street levels. These shots are not just cosmetic additions; they are fully integrated into the gameplay and reflect the improvisational style of Indian batsmen:

For beginners, Bharat Cricket 19 offers a "Shuruati Mode" (Beginner Mode) that simplifies batting—highlighting the best shot to play for each delivery and reducing the risk of getting out. This mode is perfect for young players or those new to cricket games, allowing them to learn the basics without feeling overwhelmed. For advanced players, "Pro Mode" removes these aids, requiring precise timing and shot selection that mirrors real cricket. The game also features a "Net Practice" mode (Batting Practice), where players can face unlimited deliveries from different bowlers (fast, spin, medium) to master their shots—a feature that’s popular among young Indian gamers who use it to practice their virtual batting skills before playing multiplayer matches with friends.

Another unique feature of batting in Bharat Cricket 19 is the "Situation-Based Batting" mechanic, which reflects how Indian batsmen adapt their style based on match situations. In a Ranji Trophy match, players need to play patiently and build innings, while in an IPL match, aggressive batting is rewarded. Bharat Cricket 19’s AI adapts to your batting style—if you play too many risky shots in a Test match, the bowlers will target your weaknesses, while in a T20 match, aggressive batting is encouraged with rewards for quick scoring. This dynamic gameplay makes Bharat Cricket 19 feel more realistic than other cricket games, as players need to adjust their approach based on the format, pitch conditions, and match situation—just like real Indian cricketers do.

Bowling: Variation is Key in Indian Conditions 🏏

Bowling in Bharat Cricket 19 is just as nuanced as batting, with a focus on replicating the styles of Indian bowlers and the unique challenges of Indian pitches. Fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah can bowl pinpoint yorkers at the death, Bhuvneshwar Kumar can swing the ball both ways on seaming tracks in Mohali, and spin bowlers like Ravichandran Ashwin can bowl carrom balls and doosras on turning Chennai pitches—all with realistic animations and physics that capture the unique action of each bowler.

The bowling mechanics in Bharat Cricket 19 are based on "line and length" and "variation"—two pillars of Indian bowling strategy. Players can choose from different delivery types (fast, medium, off-spin, leg-spin, left-arm spin) and adjust the speed, spin, and direction of each delivery with precision. For example, a leg-spinner can bowl a googly to deceive the batsman, or a fast bowler can bowl a slower ball to disrupt the batsman’s timing—both of which are crucial skills in Indian cricket, where bowlers rely on variation rather than just raw pace.

Bharat Cricket 19 also includes "field settings" that let players position their fielders to cover the batsman’s favorite shots—an essential part of bowling strategy in Indian conditions. For example, placing a deep square leg fielder to counter a batsman who likes to pull, or setting a leg slip to catch edges from batsmen playing the sweep shot against spin. The game features preset field settings for different formats—defensive fields for Test matches, attacking fields for T20s, and balanced fields for ODIs—reflecting the strategic approach of Indian captains like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.

One of the most praised features of Bharat Cricket 19’s bowling system is its realism when it comes to pitch conditions across India. Pitches vary drastically from region to region in India, and Bharat Cricket 19 simulates these differences with remarkable accuracy:

This attention to pitch conditions adds a strategic layer to Bharat Cricket 19 that is missing from most international cricket games. Players must adapt their bowling strategy based on the venue and match situation—for example, using spin bowlers more heavily in Chennai and fast bowlers in Mohali. This realism has made Bharat Cricket 19 a favorite among cricket purists in India, who appreciate the game’s commitment to simulating the unique challenges of Indian cricket grounds.

Fielding: Quick Reflexes and Desi Acrobatics 🚨

Fielding is often overlooked in cricket games, but Bharat Cricket 19 gives it the attention it deserves—reflecting the athletic fielding standards set by the Indian national team in recent years. The fielding mechanics in Bharat Cricket 19 are intuitive and responsive: players can dive to stop the ball, throw accurately to the stumps for run-outs, and catch high catches with realistic physics that account for the ball’s trajectory and the fielder’s positioning.

Bharat Cricket 19 includes "fielding ratings" for each player—top Indian fielders like Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya have faster reflexes and better catching ability, while slower players are more likely to drop catches or misfield. This adds a layer of realism to team selection in Bharat Cricket 19, as players need to balance batting and bowling strength with fielding ability—just like real IPL franchises do during auctions.

For Indian fans, the inclusion of "super fielding" moments is a highlight of Bharat Cricket 19. These are special animations where fielders pull off acrobatic catches or run-outs—like Jadeja’s famous boundary catch against Australia or MS Dhoni’s lightning-fast stumpings. These moments not only add excitement to the game but also reward players for good fielding, which is a crucial part of modern Indian cricket (the Indian team is ranked among the top fielding sides in world cricket).

Another unique fielding feature in Bharat Cricket 19 is the "Gully Cricket Fielding" mode, which reflects the informal rules of Indian street cricket. In this mode, fielders can throw the ball at the stumps from any position (even outside the field), and run-outs are more frequent—mirroring the fast-paced, informal nature of gully cricket across India. This mode is especially popular among young Indian gamers who grew up playing street cricket and appreciate seeing their childhood game reflected in Bharat Cricket 19.

Game Modes: Something for Every Desi Cricket Fan 🎮

Bharat Cricket 19 offers a wide range of game modes to cater to different types of Indian players, from casual gamers who want a quick gully cricket match to hardcore fans who want to build a career over several seasons. Each mode is designed with Indian cricket culture in mind, reflecting the different ways Indians engage with the sport:

Each game mode in Bharat Cricket 19 is designed to reflect a different aspect of Indian cricket culture, making the game a comprehensive celebration of how cricket is played and enjoyed across India. The IPL mode includes franchise auctions where you can bid for star players like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, manage your team’s budget, and deal with player injuries—just like real IPL franchise owners. The Ranji Trophy mode lets you play for your home state, tapping into regional pride (e.g., a player from Maharashtra can lead the Mumbai team to a Ranji title, while a player from Karnataka can play for Bengaluru). The gully cricket mode captures the informal, community-driven nature of cricket in Indian neighborhoods, where the game is played for fun rather than glory.

What makes these game modes even more immersive in Bharat Cricket 19 is the dynamic commentary that changes based on the mode and region. In the gully cricket mode, the commentary is more casual and uses street slang ("Chakka maar! Ghar jaao!"), while in the Ranji Trophy mode, the commentary is more technical and reflective of the traditional nature of first-class cricket. This attention to detail in every mode is what makes Bharat Cricket 19 not just a game, but a complete representation of Indian cricket in all its forms.

Key Features of Bharat Cricket 19 That Won Over Indian Fans

Bharat Cricket 19’s unprecedented success in the Indian gaming market can be attributed to its extensive list of features that cater specifically to Indian cricket fans. Unlike other cricket games that offer a one-size-fits-all experience, Bharat Cricket 19 goes above and beyond to include details that only an Indian audience would appreciate—from regional tournaments to local commentary styles. Below are the standout features that have made Bharat Cricket 19 a staple in Indian households, from urban apartments to rural homes:

1. Authentic Indian Cricket Teams & Players 🇮🇳

Bharat Cricket 19 team selection screen showing Indian domestic and international teams

Bharat Cricket 19 features the most comprehensive roster of Indian cricket teams ever seen in a cricket game—covering every level of Indian cricket from gully cricket teams to the national side. The game includes the complete Men’s and Women’s Indian national teams (as of 2019), all 38 Ranji Trophy sides, 36 Vijay Hazare Trophy teams, 38 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy teams, and all 8 IPL franchises (as of 2019). Every player in these teams is accurately modeled, with their real-life batting/bowling styles, physical attributes, and even their mannerisms (e.g., Virat Kohli’s celebration after a century, MS Dhoni’s calm demeanor at the crease, Rohit Sharma’s relaxed stance at the crease).

What sets Bharat Cricket 19 apart from other games is its inclusion of domestic Indian players who may not be international stars but are beloved in their regions. For example, the game includes Ranji Trophy players like Amol Muzumdar (Mumbai), Karun Nair (Karnataka), and Parthiv Patel (Gujarat)—players who are household names in their respective states but are often overlooked in international cricket games. This attention to domestic talent resonates deeply with Indian fans, who take pride in their regional cricketing heroes.

Bharat Cricket 19 also includes "Legends of Indian Cricket"—iconic players from India’s cricketing history like Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, and M.S. Dhoni (retired but included as a legend). This feature was a huge hit among older Indian gamers who grew up watching these legends play and now get to control them in Bharat Cricket 19, recreating iconic moments like Sachin’s 200 not out against South Africa or Kapil Dev’s 175 against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup.

The women’s cricket section of Bharat Cricket 19 is another standout feature, reflecting the growing popularity of women’s cricket in India. The game includes the complete Indian Women’s Cricket Team with players like Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Jhulan Goswami, along with domestic women’s teams from major Indian states. This inclusion was widely praised by Indian fans and critics alike, as it gave recognition to women’s cricket which is often overlooked in mainstream gaming.

2. Realistic Indian Stadiums & Local Grounds 🏟️

Bharat Cricket 19 recreates 30 iconic Indian cricket stadiums with pixel-perfect accuracy, capturing the unique atmosphere and characteristics of each venue. Unlike international games that only include major international stadiums, Bharat Cricket 19 includes both international venues and domestic grounds that are beloved by regional fans:

Each stadium in Bharat Cricket 19 has its own unique characteristics that impact gameplay and atmosphere: Eden Gardens has the iconic orange and green seats and a capacity of 68,000 with the famous "Galli Galli Shor Hai" crowd chants; the Wankhede Stadium has the sea breeze that affects swing bowling and the backdrop of the Arabian Sea; the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has the slow, turning pitch that is a spinner’s paradise. Even smaller grounds like the Holkar Stadium in Indore have their unique features—like the short boundaries that make it a batting paradise, reflected in higher scoring matches in Bharat Cricket 19.

What makes the stadiums in Bharat Cricket 19 truly special is the attention to local details: advertising hoardings feature regional brands (e.g., Amul in Gujarat, Parle in Maharashtra, Kalyan Jewellers in Kerala), crowd chants are in local languages (Tamil in Chennai, Bengali in Kolkata, Hindi in Delhi), and even the food stalls around the stadium are visible in the background (pani puri in Delhi, paniyaram in Chennai, vada pav in Mumbai). These small details make playing in each stadium a unique experience in Bharat Cricket 19, reflecting the diverse cultural landscape of Indian cricket.

3. Regional Commentary & Desi Soundtrack 🎙️

One of the most loved features of Bharat Cricket 19 is its commentary, which goes beyond generic English to include regional languages and Hinglish—the language of Indian cricket commentary. The game features commentary in six Indian languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali) plus Hinglish, with regional commentators who bring local flavor to the game:

The commentary in Bharat Cricket 19 is not just translated lines—it’s authentic regional commentary that uses local slang and references. For example, Tamil commentary includes phrases like "Adhu super shot! Chennai crowd romba happy!" (That’s a super shot! Chennai crowd is very happy!), while Hindi commentary uses phrases like "Kya shot mara hai! Yeh toh record banega!" (What a shot! This will create a record!). The Hinglish commentary, which is the most popular option in Bharat Cricket 19, features the mix of Hindi and English that is characteristic of Indian cricket broadcasts—phrases like "Chakka maar diya! Full toss pe easy six!" (Hit a six! Easy six off a full toss) and "Yeh wicket bad news hai team ke liye!" (This wicket is bad news for the team).

Complementing the commentary is the desi soundtrack of Bharat Cricket 19, which features popular Bollywood and regional songs that reflect the musical landscape of different Indian states. The soundtrack includes upbeat Bollywood numbers for IPL matches, classical Tamil music for Chennai matches, Bhangra beats for Punjab matches, and folk music from Kerala for matches in Kochi. The music plays in the background during menus and breaks between overs, creating a festive atmosphere that mirrors how Indians watch cricket—with music, snacks, and family/friends around.

4. Dynamic Weather & Pitch Conditions Across India 🌤️

As mentioned earlier, Bharat Cricket 19 simulates Indian weather and pitch conditions with remarkable accuracy, reflecting the diverse climatic conditions across the country that impact cricket gameplay. The game’s dynamic weather system changes in real-time, affecting pitch conditions and gameplay strategy—a feature that has been praised by cricket purists in India:

These conditions affect gameplay in real-time in Bharat Cricket 19: a wet pitch in Kolkata will make the ball skid on the batsman, increasing the chance of LBWs; a dry pitch in Chennai will give spin bowlers more turn, making it harder for batsmen to play front-foot shots; a bouncy pitch in Mohali will reward fast bowlers who bowl short-pitched deliveries. This level of realism makes Bharat Cricket 19 not just a game, but a learning tool for young Indian cricket fans who want to understand how different conditions affect the game.

5. Extensive Customization Options (Apna Style) 🎨

Bharat Cricket 19 offers extensive customization options that let players personalize their gaming experience to reflect their regional preferences and personal style—something that resonates deeply with Indian gamers who value personalization:

This level of customization is popular among Indian gamers, who love adding personal touches to the game—e.g., creating a team of their family members, designing a jersey with their school/college colors, or recreating the gully cricket rules from their childhood. Many Indian gamers have shared their custom teams and stadiums on social media, creating a vibrant community around Bharat Cricket 19’s customization features.

6. Accessibility for All Indian Devices 📱💻🎮

One of the key factors behind Bharat Cricket 19’s widespread success in India is its optimization for all types of devices used by Indian gamers—from budget smartphones to high-end PCs. The developers at Bharat Gaming Studios understood that the Indian gaming market is diverse, with different segments using different devices, and optimized Bharat Cricket 19 accordingly:

The mobile version of Bharat Cricket 19 is particularly optimized for Indian network conditions—with a file size under 1GB (unheard of for a 3D cricket game), compressed assets that download quickly on slow internet, and offline play options for areas with limited connectivity. This optimization made Bharat Cricket 19 accessible to gamers in rural India, where high-speed internet is still a luxury and data costs are a concern for many users.

Another accessibility feature of Bharat Cricket 19 is its support for regional languages in the user interface—not just commentary. The game’s menus and settings are available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Bengali, making it accessible to non-English speaking Indian gamers who form the majority of the country’s gaming population. This commitment to regional language support has been widely praised by Indian gaming critics, who have noted that it makes Bharat Cricket 19 truly inclusive of India’s linguistic diversity.

Teams & Tournaments in Bharat Cricket 19

Bharat Cricket 19’s comprehensive roster of teams and tournaments is one of its biggest strengths, as it covers every aspect of Indian cricket—from local gully cricket tournaments to international events. Unlike other cricket games that focus primarily on international cricket, Bharat Cricket 19 places equal emphasis on domestic Indian cricket, which is the foundation of the country’s cricketing success. This comprehensive coverage is what makes Bharat Cricket 19 a go-to for Indian cricket fans, who can play as their favorite state, franchise, or national team across different formats and tournaments.

Indian National Cricket Teams

Bharat Cricket 19 features both the Men’s and Women’s Indian national cricket teams with accurate rosters as of 2019 (the year of the game’s release). The Men’s team includes star players like Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and Shikhar Dhawan—all with their authentic playing styles and attributes. The Women’s team includes Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jhulan Goswami, Poonam Yadav, and Shikha Pandey—reflecting the growing profile of women’s cricket in India and the success of the Indian Women’s Team in international tournaments.

Players can take the Indian national team to compete in all major international tournaments in Bharat Cricket 19, including:

What makes the international mode in Bharat Cricket 19 special is its focus on India’s historic cricket rivalries—particularly against Pakistan, Australia, and England. The game includes pre-match cutscenes that capture the intensity and emotion of these rivalries, with commentary that reflects the passion of Indian fans during these matches. For example, India vs Pakistan matches in Bharat Cricket 19 feature special crowd chants, patriotic music, and commentary that builds up the rivalry—mirroring the real-life atmosphere of these high-stakes matches.

The Women’s National Team mode in Bharat Cricket 19 is equally comprehensive, allowing players to compete in the ICC Women’s World Cup, Women’s T20 World Cup, and bilateral series against other women’s teams like Australia, England, and New Zealand. This mode was a groundbreaking addition in Indian gaming, as it gave recognition to women’s cricket which is often marginalized in mainstream sports games. Many Indian female gamers have praised Bharat Cricket 19 for its inclusive approach to women’s cricket, noting that it allows young girls to see themselves represented in a major cricket game.

Domestic Indian Cricket Teams: The Backbone of Bharat Cricket 19

What truly sets Bharat Cricket 19 apart from other cricket games is its extensive coverage of domestic Indian cricket—the lifeblood of Indian cricket that produces international stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. The game includes every domestic tournament recognized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with authentic team rosters, stadiums, and rules:

Ranji Trophy Teams (38)

The Ranji Trophy is India’s premier domestic first-class tournament, and Bharat Cricket 19 includes all 38 teams—from traditional powerhouses like Mumbai, Karnataka, and Delhi to smaller teams like Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh. Each team has its own roster of domestic players (based on the 2018-19 season), home stadium, and playing style that reflects regional cricketing traditions. For example, Mumbai’s Ranji team in Bharat Cricket 19 plays a technically sound brand of cricket with strong batting lineups, while Punjab’s team relies on fast bowlers and aggressive batting—mirroring their real-life playing styles.

The Ranji Trophy mode in Bharat Cricket 19 is designed to reflect the grueling nature of first-class cricket in India, with matches played over four days, realistic fielding restrictions, and fatigue mechanics for bowlers. Players need to manage their team’s workload carefully, rotate bowlers to prevent fatigue, and build long innings to win matches—reflecting the strategic approach required in Ranji Trophy cricket. This mode is particularly popular among cricket purists in India who appreciate the technical aspects of first-class cricket.

Vijay Hazare Trophy Teams (36)

The Vijay Hazare Trophy is India’s domestic ODI tournament, and Bharat Cricket 19 includes all 36 teams that competed in the 2018-19 season. This mode is designed for players who enjoy the balance between batting and bowling that ODI cricket offers, with 50-over matches that require a mix of patience and aggression. The Vijay Hazare Trophy mode in Bharat Cricket 19 features the same regional teams as the Ranji Trophy but with shorter matches that are perfect for gamers who want a more fast-paced experience than first-class cricket but more strategic depth than T20s.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Teams (38)

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is India’s domestic T20 tournament and a breeding ground for IPL talent, and Bharat Cricket 19 includes all 38 teams that participated in the 2018-19 season. This mode is popular among young Indian gamers who enjoy the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket and use it to discover young talent to draft into their IPL teams in the game’s IPL mode. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy mode in Bharat Cricket 19 features the same aggressive gameplay as the IPL but with regional teams rather than franchise teams, allowing players to support their home state in T20 cricket.

Indian Premier League (IPL) Franchises in Bharat Cricket 19

The IPL is the most popular cricket league in India and the centerpiece of Bharat Cricket 19’s tournament modes. The game features all 8 IPL franchises as they existed in 2019:

The IPL mode in Bharat Cricket 19 is the most played mode in the game, and for good reason—it captures all the glitz, glamour, and excitement of the world’s biggest T20 league. The mode includes all the elements that make the IPL popular among Indian fans:

What makes the IPL mode in Bharat Cricket 19 unique is its attention to the business side of the IPL, which is a major part of the league’s appeal in India. Players can manage sponsorship deals, negotiate with broadcasters, and even relocate their team’s home matches to different cities (a common practice in the real IPL). This managerial aspect adds depth to the IPL mode, making it more than just a cricket game—it’s a complete IPL franchise simulation that appeals to both cricket fans and sports management enthusiasts in India.

Gully Cricket Teams & Local Tournaments

A unique feature exclusive to Bharat Cricket 19 is its gully cricket mode, which includes teams and tournaments inspired by Indian street cricket culture. The game features regional gully cricket teams from major Indian cities:

The gully cricket mode in Bharat Cricket 19 features informal tournaments with street cricket rules—plastic stumps, tennis balls, no LBW, "do-paanch" runs (two runs for a boundary), and "chakka maar ke ghar jaana" (hit a six and win the match). This mode is incredibly popular among young Indian gamers who grew up playing gully cricket and see it as a nostalgic tribute to their childhood. Many Indian gamers have shared videos of themselves playing the gully cricket mode on social media, recreating the street cricket matches of their youth with friends and family.

International Teams in Bharat Cricket 19

While Bharat Cricket 19 focuses primarily on Indian cricket, it also includes all major international cricket teams for cross-border matches and tournaments. These teams have accurate rosters as of 2019 and playing styles that reflect their real-life approaches to cricket:

Players can compete in bilateral series (e.g., India vs Australia Test series, India vs Pakistan T20 series) or multi-team tournaments (e.g., ICC World Cup, Asia Cup) with these international teams in Bharat Cricket 19. The game accurately simulates the playing styles of each international team—for example, Australia’s aggressive batting on flat pitches, Pakistan’s fast bowling attack on bouncy tracks, and England’s swing bowling on seaming pitches. This international content adds variety to Bharat Cricket 19, allowing Indian fans to play against rival nations and experience different styles of cricket from around the world.

Development & Release of Bharat Cricket 19

The development of Bharat Cricket 19 began in early 2017, two years before its official release, with a clear and ambitious goal: to create a cricket game that truly represents Indian cricket, not just a generic game with Indian team logos and player names. The project was led by Bharat Gaming Studios Pvt. Ltd., a Pune-based game development company founded by Indian gaming enthusiasts who were frustrated with the lack of authentic Indian cricket games in the market. The studio secured funding from Desi Sports Entertainment, a subsidiary of a leading Indian media conglomerate, which allowed them to assemble a team of over 60 developers, designers, and cricket experts to work on Bharat Cricket 19.

The development team behind Bharat Cricket 19 was uniquely Indian, with members from different regions of the country bringing their local cricket knowledge to the project. The team included game designers from Mumbai, 3D artists from Chennai, programmers from Bangalore, and cricket experts from Delhi—creating a pan-Indian development team that understood the diverse cricketing cultures of India. This diversity was crucial to the game’s authenticity, as it ensured that Bharat Cricket 19 reflected cricket as it’s played across India, not just in one region.

The research phase of Bharat Cricket 19’s development lasted six months and involved extensive fieldwork across India. The development team visited cricket stadiums, local grounds, and gully cricket matches in over 20 Indian cities—from Mumbai’s maidans to Chennai’s street cricket alleys to rural Punjab’s village tournaments. They interviewed over 50 former and current Indian cricketers (including Ranji Trophy players, IPL stars, and international players), 20 cricket coaches, 15 cricket commentators, and countless local cricket enthusiasts to understand the nuances of Indian cricket that international developers often miss. This research phase was documented in a 200-page "Indian Cricket Bible" that guided the development of Bharat Cricket 19 and ensured its authenticity.

One of the most challenging aspects of developing Bharat Cricket 19 was balancing realism with playability—especially for the Indian gaming market, which includes both hardcore gamers and casual players who may never have played a cricket game before. The team conducted extensive playtesting across different segments of Indian society: hardcore PC gamers in Bangalore, casual mobile gamers in rural Uttar Pradesh, young gully cricket players in Mumbai, and middle-aged cricket enthusiasts in Delhi. This diverse playtesting group provided invaluable feedback that shaped Bharat Cricket 19’s gameplay mechanics, controls, and difficulty levels.

For example, initial versions of Bharat Cricket 19 had complex batting controls that were popular with hardcore gamers but frustrated casual players—especially those in rural India who were new to gaming. Based on feedback from rural playtesters, the development team simplified the mobile controls to use intuitive swipe gestures that mimicked real batting movements, making the game accessible to first-time gamers. Conversely, the team added more complex controls for PC and console versions to satisfy hardcore gamers, creating a game that catered to both ends of the Indian gaming spectrum.

Securing licensing rights was another major challenge for the Bharat Cricket 19 development team, as previous Indian cricket games had struggled to obtain official BCCI licensing, leading to generic team names and player likenesses. However, Bharat Gaming Studios worked closely with the BCCI for over a year to secure official licensing for the Indian national team, domestic tournaments (Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy), and the IPL. This was a major coup for the studio, as it allowed Bharat Cricket 19 to use real player names, team logos, tournament branding, and stadium names—something that had never been done before for a fully Indian-developed cricket game.

The licensing agreement with the BCCI was groundbreaking for Indian game development, as it set a precedent for collaboration between Indian gaming studios and sports governing bodies. The BCCI was particularly impressed with Bharat Cricket 19’s focus on domestic cricket, which aligned with their goal of promoting grassroots cricket in India. As part of the agreement, a portion of Bharat Cricket 19’s revenue was