Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, played and loved in countries like India, England, Australia, South Africa, and many others. While it looks simple from the outside—bat, ball, and stumps—cricket has its own set of rules that can confuse beginners. This guide explains cricket rules in a simple way with easy-to-understand examples so anyone can start enjoying the game.
What Is Cricket?
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players each. The game is usually played on an oval-shaped field with a rectangular 22-yard pitch in the middle. One team bats while the other bowls and fields, and they switch roles after an innings.
Basic Rules of Cricket
1. Objective of the Game
- The batting team’s aim: Score as many runs as possible.
- The bowling/fielding team’s aim: Dismiss the batsmen and limit runs.
The team with the most runs at the end of the match wins.
2. The Cricket Pitch & Setup
- The pitch is 22 yards long.
- At each end, there are three stumps with two bails on top (called wickets).
- The bowler delivers the ball from one end, while the batsman defends his wicket at the other end.
3. Ways to Score Runs
- Running Between Wickets: Batsmen run after hitting the ball. Each successful run = 1 point.
- Boundary (4 runs): Ball crosses the boundary after bouncing.
- Boundary (6 runs): Ball crosses the boundary without bouncing (commonly called a “six”).
- Extras: Runs given for wide balls, no-balls, or byes.
Example: If a batsman hits the ball to the boundary rope, that’s an automatic 4 runs, without running.
4. Ways a Batsman Can Get Out
A batsman can be dismissed in several ways:
- Bowled – Ball hits the stumps.
- Caught – Ball caught by a fielder before touching the ground.
- LBW (Leg Before Wicket) – Ball hits the batsman’s leg in front of the stumps.
- Run Out – Fielders break the stumps before the batsman completes a run.
- Stumped – Wicketkeeper removes the bails when batsman is out of the crease.
5. Overs & Innings
- An over consists of 6 legal balls bowled by a bowler.
- After every over, a different bowler must bowl from the opposite end.
- In limited-overs cricket, each team gets a fixed number of overs (e.g., 20 in T20, 50 in ODIs).
- In Test matches, each team usually bats twice.
6. Umpires & Decision-Making
- On-field umpires control the game.
- Third umpire (TV umpire) helps with video replays in international cricket.
Easy Example: A Quick Match Situation
- Team A bats first and scores 150 runs in 20 overs.
- Team B needs to chase 151 runs in 20 overs to win.
- If Team B scores 152 in 19 overs, they win. If they score only 140 runs, Team A wins.
FAQs About Cricket Rules
Q1. How many players are in a cricket team?
Each team has 11 players.
Q2. What is a boundary in cricket?
A boundary is when the ball crosses the field’s edge, giving the batsman 4 or 6 runs.
Q3. Can a bowler bowl two overs in a row?
No, bowlers must alternate after every over.
Q4. What is a super over?
A super over is a tie-breaker used in limited-overs matches when scores are equal.
Conclusion
Cricket might look complicated at first, but once you understand the basics—runs, wickets, overs, and dismissals—it becomes an exciting and strategic game. Whether you are watching the IPL, The Ashes, or a local match, these cricket rules will help you follow the game like a pro.