Cricket is not just a sport: for some it is a religion, for some an obsession and for some entertainment. Real Cricket 18 focuses not just on the game but on the full package - from a pre-match analysis to a post-match awards ceremony - giving you an overall match experience, anytime and any where, with just a click on your mobile.

Each match starts with a television-style pre-match analysis by real commentators. There is then the coin toss, followed by a clip of all the cricketers filing into the field. In the middle, there are plenty of shots to play and balls to bowl, with a generous helping of drama in the sledging and the waiting for decisions from the third umpire. At the end of the match, there is a man-of-the-match ceremony complete with the winner saying a couple of lines about the match. The commentary is top notch and there is even an option for commentary in Hindi.

The main gameplay is also varied and interesting. There are four different types of batsmen - Defensive, Balanced, Radical and Brute - and each has his own style of hitting the ball. The bowlers can bowl a variety of balls - including Off Spinner, Arm Ball, Top Spinner, Doosra, Leg Cutters and In-Swingers - although, just like in real life, all bowlers cannot deliver all kinds of balls. As a batsman, the skill lies in hitting the appropriate shot with the right timing, while anticipating the kind of delivery given to you. As a bowler, the trick lies in confusing the batsman with varied deliveries while avoiding wide and no-balls. The gameplay is a little difficult to understand at the start and it takes some time to figure out the right kind of shot for the right kind of ball.

Tournaments are an important part of the game and can be unlocked as you level up. There are 10 different types, from The Associates and RCPL to the Champions Cup and the World Cup. They have different teams playing in each and have different sets of rules. You can also play a Quick Match that lets you select the number of overs and the difficulty level. You cannot, however, play matches with two and five overs till level four.

Even though the tournaments are locked behind levels, you can buy your way through. If you do not want to use real money, use the tickets you get by completing daily objectives. These tickets are also useful for upgrading your players. You can even improve the power of your equipment such as bats, balls, shoes and gloves - all from original brands - by paying.

VERDICT: Real Cricket 18 is a difficult game to master. It is also very slow and, sometimes, expensive. The lack of a multiplayer version is disappointing. I would still give it eight out of 10 because of the whole experience.