Big Ant Studios officially launched Cricket 26 globally on November 19-20, 2025, but the game's release sparked heated debate among Indian players due to a sudden price hike on Steam. The game’s price initially appeared at ₹2,600 but was quickly changed to ₹4,399, aligning with console prices, a move that frustrated many gamers expecting the lower launch price. This controversial shift made Cricket 26 costlier than big franchise titles like EA’s FC 26, priced at ₹3,999 in India.

CEO Ross Symons addressed the upset community on X, clarifying that the ₹2,600 tag was a "very short discount" and a "launch special" for early buyers, with the official digital price always intended to be ₹4,399. Symons further explained that they convinced local distributors to lower physical copy prices from ₹4,999 to ₹4,499. Despite this, many players voiced disappointment over the pricing strategy, given India's large gaming market.

Launch Issues and Upcoming Patch

Players also reported technical issues at launch, including game crashes when selecting IPL teams, confusing fielding mechanics, and UI glitches. Some described the game as a step backwards compared to Cricket 24, despite notable improvements in batting difficulty and graphics quality. Big Ant Studios has promised an imminent update targeting cutscene visuals, fielding accuracy, UI enhancements, and bug fixes, including Ashes mode training clips and umpire review screens. The patch will also update MS Dhoni’s visuals and prevent bowlers from running into stumps.

Gameplay Innovations & Features

Cricket 26 introduces a fresh Management Career mode, expanded Ashes mode with press conferences and team training sessions, and dynamic weather effects such as rain delays and DLS calculations. The game features a redesigned player model, new stadium lighting effects, and fully licensed teams and tournaments, including IPL, The Ashes, The Hundred, CPL, and international teams, enhancing the immersive cricket simulation experience.