Last updated: 3 November 2026
November 2026 is shaping up to be a busy month for cricket gaming news. On mobile, the second batch of the eCricket closed beta opens on 5 November. On PC, a new management sim, Cricket Manager 27, is due on Steam at the end of the month. In VR, RealBat Cricket VR has just added two-player multiplayer. Here are the three stories worth knowing about, with dates, platforms and what you can and can’t do yet.
1. eCricket closed beta: batch 2 starts 5 November
eCricket, a mobile cricket game from LightFury Games built in Unreal Engine 5, is being tested in three batches before its India launch, SportsDunia reports. The official eCricket game access page lists the closed beta schedule:
- Batch 1: 27 October to 3 November 2026
- Batch 2: 5 November to 12 November 2026
- Batch 3: 14 November to 21 November 2026
Your Closed Beta Pass colour decides your batch. Dual Colour is Batch 1, Black & Red is Batch 2, and Green & Blue is Batch 3. Each batch gets eight days of access. The developer says it uses batches to test its servers and multiplayer at scale.
What’s in the closed beta build
According to the official page, the beta includes single-player and multiplayer (PvP) matches, daily and weekly missions, 2D customisation, emotes, manual running between wickets, a broadcast-style batting camera and an in-game store. Features such as commentary, extra stadiums, achievements, match history, playing with friends and 3D customisation are planned for the India launch.
Things to know before you try it
- Passes are closed. The official page says Closed Beta Passes are no longer available, so only existing pass holders can play this round.
- Android only. The beta is only for Android, and the developer recommends a phone with 6GB or more of RAM. iOS isn’t supported during the closed beta.
- Progress is wiped. Your progress is deleted after your eight-day window. Closed beta players then get automatic access to the larger eCricket Beta, where progress is saved.
- Use the official route only. Access is through a “Game Access” email sent to your registered address and the Play Store account linked to it. Don’t install builds shared on unofficial sites.
Dates for the wider beta and the India launch haven’t been announced yet. Pass holders’ rewards, a Founder Badge, 1,000 eCoins and a Marquee Player Card, unlock at the India launch.
2. Cricket Manager 27 lands on Steam on 30 November
If you’d rather run a team than bat, Cricket Manager 27’s Steam page lists a release date of 30 November 2026. It’s a single-player management sim from Shushi Studios. You create a manager, take over a domestic club or a national side, and manage squads, tactics, contracts and pressure from the board across multi-season careers.
The store page says it covers Test, ODI and T20 cricket. It also includes bilateral tours, format rankings and major ICC events such as World Cups. The game has interactive matchdays, but the focus is on decisions, not batting controls.
3. RealBat Cricket VR adds two-player multiplayer
On 1 November, the RealBat team announced multiplayer for RealBat Cricket VR on Meta Quest 2, Quest 3 and Quest 3S. Two players bat side by side in neighbouring net lanes, with built-in voice chat, Quick match and friend invites.
The competitive mode is called Chase. Both batters chase the same target with 12 balls and three wickets each, facing the same deliveries in the same order and taking turns. A coin toss decides who bats first, and the winner gets a “King of the Nets” card. Multiplayer only works in the installed Quest game; the free browser demo only offers solo batting.
Why this cricket gaming news matters
Cricket has a huge fan base in India, but for years the choice of good cricket video games was small. Now there’s a mobile game in public testing, a dedicated management sim and a VR batting game adding multiplayer. Fans have more ways to play cricket for fun. Going by their official pages, all three are games you play for the cricket itself, not cash contests.
That distinction matters in India. Since 1 May 2026, online money games, including paid fantasy contests, have been banned. Games you play for fun, with no stakes, are not covered by that ban. If you’re curious how fantasy cricket itself works, our GoPlay11 cricket guide explains scoring and team selection. Our GoPlay11 fantasy app explainer covers the format and the legal position. For more phone games, browse our Mobile Gaming section.
Quick FAQ
When does eCricket batch 2 start?
On 5 November 2026. It runs until 12 November, according to the official eCricket website.
Can I still join the eCricket closed beta?
No. The developer says Closed Beta Passes are no longer available.
When is Cricket Manager 27 out?
Its Steam page lists 30 November 2026.
Legal note for readers in India: The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 and the Online Gaming Rules, 2026 came into force on 1 May 2026. Together they ban online money games: any online game where you pay a fee or deposit money hoping to win money back. The ban covers games of skill, chance or both, and it includes paid fantasy sports contests. The Act also bans advertising these games and bars banks and payment services from processing payments for them. A challenge to the Act is pending before the Supreme Court. As of early November 2026, no final ruling has been reported, so the law applies in full. Free-to-play games with no stakes are not covered by the ban. This is general information, not legal advice.
18+ only. Play responsibly.