Cricket
11 Aug, 2025
The Hundred 2025 has already started, but still confused about how this format actually works? Today we will break it down for you. This format is often called the fourth type of cricket.
We will explain how it is different from traditional formats, what the 2025 season looks like, and how you can watch it in India with both free and paid options.
The Hundred is both a new cricket format and a tournament. It was started in 2021 by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
This league created a unique 100-ball format. Each match has two innings with only 100 balls each.
India does not have this format yet. You can think of The Hundred as a simpler and faster version of T20 cricket. By making rules easier and speeding up the game, it helps people who are not familiar with cricket enjoy and join in.
Both The Hundred and IPL are fast-paced, commercial cricket leagues. But their formats and rules have some key differences.
In The Hundred, each bowler can bowl a maximum of 20 balls, either 5 or 10 balls in a row. In IPL, a bowler bowls 6-ball overs and can bowl up to 24 balls in total.
The Hundred changes ends every 10 balls, so it happens more often. IPL changes ends every over, which is 6 balls.
The Hundred allows only one bowling timeout per team lasting 90 seconds, and not before ball 25. IPL lets each team have two timeouts, each 2.5 minutes long, with more flexible timing.
Both have powerplay periods. The Hundred’s powerplay is shorter — first 25 balls with only 2 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. IPL’s powerplay lasts 36 balls with the same fielding restriction but for longer.
In The Hundred, there can be up to 5 fielders on the leg side and a maximum of 5 outfielders outside the 30-yard circle outside powerplay. IPL has no leg side limit but also allows maximum 5 outfielders.
The Hundred punishes a no ball with 2 runs plus a free hit. IPL gives 1 run plus a free hit. So The Hundred is stricter on no balls.
If the match is tied, The Hundred uses “Super 5” where each team plays 5 balls to decide the winner. IPL uses a “Super Over” with 6 balls per team.
There are 8 city-based teams in The Hundred 2025. Seven teams come from England and one team is from Wales. The teams are:
Oval Invincibles is the most successful team so far. The women’s team won the championship in 2021 and 2022. The men’s team became champions in 2023 and 2024.
The Hundred winner gets £150,000 which is about ₹1.5 crore. Both men’s and women’s teams get the same amount. This league is one of the few to offer equal prize money.
The total prize pool is £600,000. Champions get £150,000 each. Runners-up get £75,000 each.
Unlike many traditional leagues, there is no prize for the third place. The rest of the money goes to individual awards like best batsman and best bowler.
Each team in The Hundred has 15 players. They can include up to 3 overseas stars and 1 England contracted player.
So for Indian fans, this tournament will not feel completely new. In fact, you will see many familiar faces. A lot of these international players have already made their mark in the IPL.
Let us take a look at some of the players who are playing in The Hundred 2025 and which teams they have joined.
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | Oval Invincibles |
| Steve Smith | Welsh Fire |
| Marcus Stoinis | Trent Rockets |
| David Miller | Northern Superchargers |
| Trent Boult | Birmingham Phoenix |
| Kane Williamson | London Spirit |
| David Warner | London Spirit |
Rashid Khan, Steve Smith, David Warner, and Kane Williamson are all making their debut in The Hundred this year. That alone makes the 2025 season even more exciting to watch.。
If you are wondering why there are no Indian players in The Hundred 2025, the answer is simple. The BCCI does not allow Indian male cricketers to play in overseas franchise leagues.
The reason is all about keeping Indian cricket at the top. If Indian stars start playing in other leagues, it could take the spotlight away from the IPL. BCCI wants the focus to stay with Indian cricket and keep the IPL as the biggest stage.
If you are in India and want to watch The Hundred, here are some paid and free ways to watch it.
Sony has the official rights to show The Hundred in India. You can watch the matches on channels like Sony Sports Ten 5 and Sony Sports Ten 3.
If you prefer watching on your mobile or laptop, you can use the SonyLIV app. The monthly plan is around ₹299, which is good enough since The Hundred goes on for about one month only.
If ₹299 feels a bit high, you can go with FanCode. Their monthly pass is just ₹199. Their monthly pass is just ₹199. You also get match highlights and coverage of other cricket leagues.
If you are looking for a free way, Vegas11 lets you watch all The Hundred matches after signing up.
If you play Fantasy Cricket, Vegas11 also gives you player stats and match updates. It’s helpful for tracking performances and planning your fantasy team better.
The Hundred usually takes place during the UK summer holidays and wraps up in about a month. In 2025 it runs from August 5 to August 31 with both men’s and women’s matches.
Each team gets to play 8 matches with 4 at home and 4 away. The second and third place teams face off in an Eliminator at The Oval.
The winner plays the top team in the Final at Lord’s in London. The final is always at Lord’s because it is called the “Home of Cricket” and is very special for players and fans.
© 2025 Vegas11 Official Blog
Home
Cricket
Play
Tips