Cricket is a bat-and-ball sport where two teams compete to score runs. The game involves bowlers delivering the ball and batters trying to score by hitting it. While the fundamental principles of the game remain unchanged, there are different formats: T20, ODI, and Test. So, how do you play cricket? Read this article, and you’ll find out!
How to Play Cricket
Cricket is a team game played on a big ground between two teams. Each team has 11 players, and there are three main roles: batting, bowling, and fielding.
The game first started in England as a pastime for British nobles, but now, cricket is like a religion in India, yaar! From the streets to the stadiums, every Indian knows the thrill of a sixer and a perfect yorker.
Want to know more about cricket basics? Alright, scroll down and become a cricket pro!
Rules of Cricket
Objectives of the Game
In cricket, two teams compete against each other, and each team has 11 players on the field. These players include a bowler, a batsman, a wicketkeeper, a non-striker, and ７fielders spread across the ground. One team focuses on batting to score as many runs as possible, while the other team tries to stop them by bowling, wicketkeeping, and fielding.
The number of overs (or innings) depends on the format of the match. For example, in a T20 match, each team gets 20 overs to bat. Once a team completes its overs, the roles are switched, and the other team gets its turn to bat. At the end of the game, the team with the highest score wins the match. learn more：IPL Rules Guide: Match Rules, Player Retention, and Mega Auction
Batting Rules
A batsman’s role in cricket is not just to score runs but also to protect the stumps (wickets) from being hit by the bowler. The batsman can score runs by running between the stumps after hitting.
If the batsman is caught out (fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground), gets LBW (Leg Before Wicket), or the ball hits the stumps and knocks off the bails, they are immediately dismissed. When this happens, the next batsman comes in to take their place.
Bowling Rules
The bowler’s main job is to hit the stumps, stop the batter from scoring, and bowl as many legal deliveries as possible to avoid giving away extra runs.
If the bowler delivers a ball above the batter’s waist (full toss) or outside the batter’s hitting area, it is considered illegal, and runs are awarded to the batting team.
In each over, the bowler must bowl 6 legal deliveries to complete the round.
Fielding Rules
In cricket, fielders have two main responsibilities: to stop the batter from scoring runs and to get the batter out.
The best way to dismiss a batter is to catch the ball before it touches the ground, which results in an immediate out.
Another key task is to hit the stumps with the ball after fielding it, preventing runs and creating a chance for a run-out.
T20, ODI, Test Cricket – What’s the Difference?
How to play cricket varies based on the format. Cricket has three main formats: T20 (Twenty20), ODI (One Day International), and Test Cricket. The differences lie primarily in the match duration, rules, and strategies. Below are the details:
How to Play T20 Cricket
In T20 cricket, each inning has 20 overs, and every over consists of 6 legal deliveries, meaning each team bowls a total of 120 balls. A single bowler can bowl a maximum of 4 overs and then must stop. Each team can send up to 10 batters, and the inning ends when all batters are out.
Especially during the first 6 overs, known as the PowerPlay. In this period, only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle, encouraging aggressive batting by placing the best power hitters in the top order.
- A full T20 match lasts around 3 hours, making it quick and entertaining.
- This format is the most popular among young fans because of its fast pace and excitement.
- T20 cricket is used in both international matches and club tournaments.
- The first 6 overs have fielding restrictions, allowing only 2 fielders outside the 30-yard circle
- with batsmen focusing on quick scoring (e.g., fours and sixes).
- Bowlers aim to restrict runs using innovative techniques such as spin and variation balls.
How to Play ODI Cricket
ODI, or One Day International, is an international match played between two countries. Each team gets to play 50 overs, with 6 legal deliveries per over, meaning a total of 300 balls are bowled in one inning. A single bowler can bowl a maximum of 10 overs.The match continues until either all 10 batters are out or the team completes its 50 overs. The team with the highest score at the end of the match wins.
- An ODI match lasts about 6 to 8 hours, allowing fans to enjoy a full day of cricket.
- In the ODI format, batters must decide between steady scoring and attacking play based on the match situation.
- The first 10 overs enforce fielding restrictions, allowing only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle, encouraging aggressive batting early on.
How to Play TEST Cricket
Test cricket is the longest format of the game, with a match lasting up to 5 days. If no result is achieved in 5 days, the match ends in a draw. Each day, the game is played for a maximum of 6 hours, and if no winner is decided, play continues the next day.
Each team gets 2 innings to bat and bowl. There are no over limits; the bowling team must dismiss 10 batters to end the opponent’s innings. To win a Test match, a team must satisfy two conditions：total runs across both innings must be higher than the opponent’s & Dismiss all 10 batters in each innings.
For example, if both teams have the same total score and neither team is completely bowled out, the match ends as a draw. Similarly, if Team A scores more runs than Team B but fails to dismiss all 10 of Team B’s batters, the result is still a draw.
- The pace of a Test match is slower, focusing more on a batter’s patience and staying at the crease without getting out.
- Batters in Test cricket are less aggressive and do not aim for quick runs.
- There are no over limits in Test cricket. The bowling team continues to bowl until they dismiss all 10 batters of the opposing team, only then do the roles switch.
- If the bowler has the stamina, they can bowl unlimited deliveries.
What is the hundred cricket?
The latest cricket format, The Hundred, is the shortest version of the game, with each match lasting about 2.5 hours.
Instead of the traditional 6-ball overs, the game uses 100 balls per inning as a unit. Deliveries are bowled in sets of 5 or 10 balls. Each team gets only 100 balls to bat, and each bowler can bowl a maximum of 20 balls. Ends are switched after every 10 balls.
The team with the highest score wins the match.
- The same bowler can bowl 5 or 10 balls in a row before switching to another bowler.
- The first 25 balls of each inning are called the Powerplay.
- the fielding team is allowed to place only 2 fielders outside the 30-yard.
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