Cricket is an outdoor team sport played between two teams wherein each team takes turn to bat & bowl. The objective of the game is that a team should score more runs than the opponent team. This can be done by scoring more runs while batting first and attempting to restrict the opponent’s score by dismissing all the batsmen or by chasing down the target score being set the team batting first within a stipulated number of balls/time.

The game of cricket is played on a big circular/oval ground with a rectangular pitch as the centre where batting and bowling takes place. A boundary marks the perimeter (137-150 m) of the field, and can take the form of a fence, rope or line.

As per standard guidelines, the playing area should be a minimum of 137.16 m from boundary to boundary square of the pitch, with the shorter of the two square boundaries a minimum of 59.43 m. The straight boundary at both ends of the pitch should be minimum 64 m long as measured from centre of the pitch.

Regulation lengths are as follows:

• Pitch: The pitch is a rectangular area of the ground 20.12 m in length and 3.05 m in breadth. The stumps are rooted at both ends with distance between them of 22 yards (20.12 m). It is bounded at either end by the bowling creases and on either side by imaginary lines, one each side of the imaginary line joining the centres of the two middle stumps. The various lines marked on the pitch are as follows,
  • Bowling crease: It is the back edge of the crease marking which marks the end of the pitch and is 2.64 m in length.  
  • Popping crease: It is the back edge of the crease marking which is in front of and parallel to the bowling crease and is 1.22 m from it. The popping crease should be marked to a minimum of 1.83 m on either side of the imaginary line joining the centres of the two middle stumps and is considered to be unlimited in length.
  • Return crease: The return creases are the inside edges of the crease markings which is at right angles to the popping crease at a distance of 1.32 m either side of the imaginary line joining the centres of the two middle stumps. Each return crease should be marked from the popping crease to a minimum of 2.44 m behind it and is considered to be unlimited in length.
• Inner circles: Two inner circles (marked with dots) with a radius of 13.72 m are drawn on the field of play. The centre of these circles is the centre point of the popping crease at either end of the pitch.  
• Infield: The infield if formed by drawing two semi-circles with a radius of 27.43 m on the field of play. The centre of these circles is the middle stump at either end of the pitch.  
• Outfield & Boundary line: The area excluding the infield and extending up to the boundary line constitutes as the outfield. Depending upon the competition level & type, the boundary line should not exceed 82.29 m from centre of the pitch.

Bat: The bat constitutes handle & blade which are defined below along with the standard dimensions as follows,

• The maximum allowed length of the bat from toe to the top (including handle) is 96.50 cm with width of the blade up to 10.80 cm and blade depth/thickness up to 67 mm. The weight of the bat is generally between 1.19 kg to 1.36 kg.     
• The handle is made of cane/wood and the straight shaft for holding the bat which is wholly outside the blade is defined as the upper portion of the handle. The upper portion of the handle is usually covered with a grip.
• The blade comprises of the whole of the bat and is solely made of wood. It is generally flat on the striking face with round edges and with a ridge on the back which provides ammunition to the hitting zone in the middle of the bat.   

Ball:

• The ball weighs between 155.9-163 gm (men’s cricket)/140-151 gm (women’s cricket) with circumference between 22.4-22.9 cm (men’s cricket)/ 21-22.5 cm (women’s cricket)
• The ball is made of three distinct materials - cork, string and leather. The core of the ball is made of cork which is then tightly wrapped many times with string to reinforce it.
• The cork and the string are then encased in leather, which is usually dyed either red/pink (test matches) or white (ODI and T20 matches).
• The leather case may be in two or four pieces and the two leather hemispheres are joined at the balls equator by a series of stitched string seams, the centre of which is slightly raised.
• The various types of cricket balls used for playing international matches consist of kookaburra, duke and SG.  

Wickets: Two sets of wickets are planted opposite and parallel to each other in the centre of the bowling creases. The specifications are as follows,

• Each set is 22.86 cm wide which consists of three wooden stumps with two wooden bails on top.
• The top of the stumps should be 71.12 cm above the playing surface and should be dome shaped with space for bail grooves.
• The portion of the stump above the playing surface should be cylindrical with circular section of diameter between 3.50 cm to 3.81 cm.
• The bails are positioned on top of the stumps and it should not project more than 1.27 cm above them and should fit between the stumps without forcing them out of the vertical.
• The total bail length should be 10.95 cm with barrel length of 5.40 cm.  

Batting Equipments: The other batting equipments consist of pads, batting gloves, helmet, thigh pads, elbow guard, box and chest guard. The size of these equipments depends upon the physicality of the player.

Wicket keeping Equipments: The wicket keeping equipments consist of keeping gloves, keeping pads box and helmet.

• A match is played between two sides, each of 11 players (including wicketkeeper), one of whom shall be captain and one vice captain.
• Each team’s captain can nominate up to 6 substitute fielders apart from the 11 players before the toss. Only those players nominated as substitute fielders shall be entitled to act as substitutes (including concussion replacements) during the match.
• The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket. If at any time the captain is not available, a deputy shall act for him/her.

• Test Match – Two innings for each side with five days scheduled duration
• ODI – One innings for each side with same day’s scheduled duration provided the participating countries in a series may agree to provide for a reserve day on which an incomplete match may be replayed or continued from the scheduled day.
• T20I – One innings for each side with same day’s scheduled duration

• The captains shall toss a coin for the choice of innings, on the field of play and under the supervision of the ICC match referee not earlier than 30 minutes, nor later than 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the play.
• The winning captain shall decide whether to bat or to field and shall notify his/her decision to the opposing captain and the umpires. Once notified, the decision cannot be changed.

• The following shall be considered as intervals,
  • Period between close of play on one day and the start of the next day’s play (test match)
  • Intervals between the innings
  • Intervals for meals
  • Intervals for drinks
  • Any other agreed interval

• Test Match interval duration: 
  • Drinks interval is scheduled at midpoint of each session with a maximum duration of 4 minutes.
  • Standard lunch interval is of 40 minutes and the tea interval is of 20 minutes.
  • The interval between innings shall be 10 minutes, commencing from the close of an innings until call of play for the start of the next innings.
  • If an innings ends when 10 minutes or less remains before the agreed time for lunch, the interval shall be taken immediately. Similarly, if an innings ends when 30 minutes or less remains before the agreed time for tea, the interval shall be taken immediately.
  • In case, either 9 wickets of the batting team are already down when 3 minutes remains to the scheduled time for the interval or the 9th wicket falls within these 3 minutes then the interval is taken after 30 minutes unless the innings is completed earlier. 

• ODI match interval duration:
  • Two drink breaks per session are permitted as a standard with each break 1 hour 10 minutes apart.
  • The interval between innings shall be 30 minutes, commencing from the close of an innings until call of play for the start of the next innings.
  • If the innings of the team batting first is completed prior to the scheduled time for the interval, the interval is taken immediately and the innings of the team batting second will commence after the interval.

• T20I match interval duration:
  • The standard interval between innings shall be 20 minutes, commencing from the close of an innings until call of play for the start of the next innings. Due to lengthy delay or interruption, the match referee can reduce the interval to not less than 10 minutes at his/her discretion.
  • If the innings of the team batting first is completed prior to the scheduled time for the interval, the interval is taken immediately and the innings of the team batting second will commence after the interval.

• Test Match – 6 hours scheduled play per day subject to minimum number of overs to be bowled per day. The minimum over rate to be achieved is 15 overs per hour.
• ODI – Two sessions of 3.5 hours each, separated by a 45 minute interval between the innings. The minimum over rate to be achieved is 14.28 overs per hour.
• T20I – Two sessions of 1 hour 25 minutes each, separated by a 20 minute interval between the innings. The minimum over rate to be achieved is 14.11 overs per hour.

• ODI – To constitute a match, a minimum of 20 overs have to be bowled to the team batting second subject to a result not being achieved earlier.
• T20I – To constitute a match, a minimum of 5 overs have to be bowled to the team batting second subject to a result not being achieved earlier.

• An over constitutes of 6 legal deliveries and each over is bowled from each end alternatively.
• A ball is not counted as one of the 6 balls of the over unless it is delivered, even though the batsman gets dismissed or some other incident occurs without the ball being delivered.
• The ball being delivered is not counted towards a legal delivery if, it is a dead ball, no ball, wide ball or under any of the exceptional circumstances.
• A bowler is not allowed to bowl two consecutive overs nor is allowed to bowl parts of each of two consecutive overs in the same innings.
• If for any reason other than the end of the innings an over is left uncompleted at the start of an interval or interruption, it shall be completed on resumption of play.
• If for any reason a bowler is incapacitated or suspended during an over the umpire shall call and signal dead ball. In such a scenario another bowler shall complete the over from the same end provided that he/she does not bowl two overs consecutively, nor bowl parts of each of two consecutive overs in that innings.

• A run is scored when the batsmen have crossed and made good their ground from end to end, at any time while the ball is in play.
• Runs are scored when a ball crosses the boundary line.
• Runs are scored when penalty runs are awarded

The ball becomes dead when,

• It is finally settled in the hands of the wicket keeper or the bowler
• A boundary is scored
• A batsman is dismissed
• When the ball gets trapped between the items of the clothing equipment of the batsman
• When penalty runs are awarded
• When it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batsman at the wicket have ceased to regard it in play
• When the ball hits the cameras/apparatus/wires after being hit by the batsman
• When the ball thrown by the fielder hits the cameras/apparatus/wires

Dead ball is signalled (by crossing and uncrossing arms in front of the body) by the umpire when,

• Umpire intervenes in case of unfair play
• Injury to the player or umpire occurs
• One or both bails fall from the striker’s wicket before the striker has had the opportunity of playing the ball
• Striker is not ready for the delivery of the ball, and if the ball is delivered makes no attempt to play it
• Striker is distracted by noise, movement or any other way while preparing to receive or receiving a delivery
• Bowler accidentally drops the ball before delivery
• Ball does not leave the bowler’s hand for any reason other than attempt to run out the non-striker
• Umpire is satisfied that the ball in play cannot be recovered

A No ball is signalled (by raising right arm parallel to the ground) by the umpire when,

• If the bowler fails to notify the umpire regarding change in his/her mode of delivery (right/left handed over/around the wicket) then the umpire shall call and signal No ball.
• If the umpire opines that the ball has been thrown or delivered underarm then he/she can shall call and signal No ball. This is followed first by a warning to the bowler and on its subsequent repetition the bowler is suspended from bowling in that match.
• If the bowler throws the ball towards the striker’s end before entering into the delivery stride then either umpire shall call and signal No ball.
• If the bowler’s back foot lands outside or touches the return crease appertaining to his/her stated mode of delivery then umpire shall call and signal No ball.
• If the bowler’s front foot lands outside the popping crease and on the other side of the imaginary line joining the two middle stumps as the return crease then umpire shall call and signal No ball.
• In case the bowler breaks the wicket at any time after the ball comes into play and before completion of the stride after the delivery stride, other than in an attempt to run out the non-striker.
• If the ball being delivered bounces more than once, rolls along the ground before it reaches the popping crease or pitches wholly or partially off the pitch before it reaches the line of the striker’s wicket.
• If ball being delivered is directly thrown over the stumps even if is touched by the batsman or not then leg umpire shall call and signal No ball.     
• A penalty of one run shall be awarded instantly on the call of no ball. The penalty shall be in addition to any other runs scored, any boundaries scored and any other runs awarded for penalties.
• If a No ball has been called, neither batsman shall be out under any of the playing conditions except for run out, hitting the ball twice & obstructing the field.
• A call of No ball shall over ride the call of wide ball at any time.

Wide ball is signalled (by raising both arms parallel to the ground) by the umpire when,

• If the ball passes wide of the striker standing and which also would have passed wide of the striker standing in a normal guard position.
• If the ball passes above the head height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease.
• A penalty of one run is awarded to the batting team on the call of Wide ball.
• All runs completed by the batsman or a boundary allowance together with the penalty for the Wide shall be scored as Wide balls and all runs shall be debited against he bowler.
• If a Wide ball has been called, then neither of the batsman shall be out under any of the playing conditions except in case of hit wicket, run out, stumped or obstructing the field.

• If the ball being delivered by the bowler(not being a Wide ball), passes the striker without touching his/her bat or person then any runs completed by the batsman from that delivery, or a boundary allowance shall be credited as Byes to the batting side.
• Leg byes are awarded by the umpire if the ball being delivered by the bowler first strikes the person of the striker after the umpire is convinced that the batsman has either attempted to play the ball with the bat or has tried to avoid being hit by the ball, then runs shall be scored.

Out is signalled (by extending one arm straight upwards and raising the finger) by the umpire in case the batsman is,

• Bowled
• Caught
• Hit the ball twice
• Hit wicket
• Leg before wicket
• Obstructing the field
• Run out
• Stumped
• Timed out

• ODI – During the first 10 overs, a maximum of 2 fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle. For the next 30 overs, 4 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle and for the last 10 overs, 5 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
• T20I – During the first 6 overs, a maximum of 2 fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle and after the 6 overs a maximum of 5 fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle. Also, a maximum of 5 fielders can be on the leg side at any time.

Free hit is signalled (by extending one arm straight upwards and moving it in a circular motion) by the umpire when,

• The delivery following a No ball called shall be a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it. If the delivery for the free hit is not legitimate delivery then the next delivery will become a free hit.
• Neither field changes nor the exchange of individuals between fielding positions are permitted for free hit deliveries expect when there is a change in strike or the No ball being called is due to field restrictions breach.
• For and free hit, the striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a No ball, even if the delivery for the free hit is called a Wide ball.

If the teams’ scores are equal after both innings have been completed, then a Super Over shall be played. If the Super Over is a tie, then unless exceptional circumstances arise subsequent Super Overs shall be played until there is a winner. The Super Over procedure is as follows,

• The team batting second in the innings shall bat first in the Super Over. The fielding side shall choose the end from which it is to bowl the Super Over.
• A Super Over involves each team facing an over of 6 balls and the winner shall be determined by the team scoring greater number of runs.
• The loss of 2 wickets shall end the batting team’s one over innings.
• The interval between the two overs in the Super Over shall be 5 minutes.
• Any batsman dismissed in any previous Super Over shall be ineligible to bat in any subsequent Super Over. Also, any bowler who bowled in the previous Super Over shall be ineligible to bowl in the subsequent Super Over.
• If the Super Over or subsequent Super Overs are abandoned for any reason prior to completion then the match shall be declared as tie.

Five Penalty runs are awarded by the umpire to the batting side by repeated tapping of one shoulder with the opposite hand and to the fielding side by placing one hand on the opposite shoulder. Penalty runs are awarded under following circumstances,

• Deliberate short runs
• Player returning to the field without permission
• Ball touching the protective helmets belonging to the fielding side kept behind the wicketkeeper and in line with the stumps
• Unfair play
• Player’s conduct
• Penalties for contravention

• Decision review system (DRS) is the process under which the third umpire may be consulted in relation to the decision of the on-field umpires, either by way of fan umpire review or a player review. To initiate DRS, the on-field umpire on the bowler’s end signals a square mime of a TV screen.
• Player review – Under this a player may request a review of any decision taken by the on-field umpires concerning whether or not a batsman is dismissed
• Umpire review – Under this the on-field umpire has discretion to refer a decision to the third umpire or, under certain circumstances to consult with the third umpire before making a decision.
• In test cricket, 2 unsuccessful challenges are permitted per innings while in ODI & T20I one unsuccessful challenge is permitted per innings. The successful challenges allow teams to retain a DRS challenge at any point but challenges left from the first innings do not carry over to the next innings.

The designated match officials are as follows,

• One Match referee
• Two on-field umpires
• One third umpire
• One fourth umpire (shall act as emergency third umpire)
• Two scorers

Front Box Jump

Lateral Box Jump

Broad Jump

Scissor Jump

Dot Drills

Skater Jump

Lateral Box Shuffles

Squat Jump

Knee Tuck Jump

Stair Drill

Leg Stretch Drill 

Rolling Technique Drill 

Freestyle Wrist Drill 

Wrist & Arm Excercise

Paper Folding Drill 

Split Step Drill 

Single Cone Drill 

Right to Left Footwork Drill 

Forward & Backward Footwork Drill 

Shoulder-Chest Stretch 

Agility Ladder Drills 

Multi Directional Lunges 

Hop & Sprint Drill 

Frog Jumps 

Hanging Knee Circles Drill 

Shuttle Drill 

Flying 20 Drill 

1-2-3 Back Drill 

Four Corner Drill

High Knee Running 

T-Sprints 

Broken 60-Yards Sprint 

Bat Grip 

Ball Bounce Drill 

Taking the Guard 

Wearing BAtting Kit 

Batting Stance Drill

5-Step Stroke Sequence Drill 

Hanging Ball Knocking Drill 

Hanging Ball Footwork Drill 

Front Foot Defence Drill 

Back Foot Defence Drill 

Feet Movement Drill 

One Hand Batting Drill 

Neck & Shoulder Drill 

Step Out Footwork Drill 

Pull Shot 

Drive Shot 

Cut Shot 

Flick Shot 

Sweep Shot 

Reverse Sweep Shot 

Scoop Shot 

Helicopter Shot 

Switch Hit

Ball Grip & Seam Position 

Shadow Bowl Drill 

Upper Body Movement Drill 

One Leg Hopping Drill 

Wall Bowling Drill 

5-Step Bowling Technique 

Steps & Run up Drill 

Jump & Land Drill 

Progressive Bowling Drill

Line & Length Drill 

Dynamic Bowling Drill 

Yorker Ball 

Slower Ball 

Off Spin Ball 

Leg Spin Ball 

Swing Ball Drill 

Bouncer/Short Pitch Ball Drill 

Googly Drill 

Catching Technique 

Wall Catching Drill 

Reaction Catching Drill 

Clap & Catch Drill 

Self Catching Drill 

One Hand Catching Drill 

Reflex Catching Drill 

Bat & Wicket Catching Drill 

Two Player Catching Drill

High Catches Drill 

Slip Catching Drill 

Fielding Stance Drill 

Ball Receiving Technique 

Ball Throwing Technique 

Long Barrier Fielding Technique 

Wall Throwing Drill 

Wall Corners Fielding Drill 

Cones Drill 

Sliding Technique 

Wicket Hitting Drill

Self-Throw, Slide & Field Drill 

Diving Drill 

Footwork Drill 

Collecting the Ball 

Racket Throws Drill 

Ball Deflection Drill 

Standing up to Stumps 

Inside Hand Catching Drill

Diving Drill