15 Rules of Cricket: Complete Guide to Cricket Laws (2025 Edition)
Cricket is one of the most famous sports globally, enjoyed via tens of millions of enthusiasts across countries like India, England, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and beyond. While the sport might appear complex in the beginning glance, it’s miles governed by a clear set of rules installed by way of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). These policies, generally referred to as the Laws of Cricket, make sure that every suit is played pretty and consistently.15 Rules of Cricket
In this in-depth blog publish, we can cover the top 15 Rules of Cricket, designed especially for novices, casual fanatics, aspiring cricketers, and even curious readers.
📜 Table: Quick Overview – 15 Rules of Cricket
| S.No | Rule Name | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Number of Players | Each team has 11 players including a captain and a wicketkeeper. |
| 2 | Toss | The toss determines which team bats or fields first. |
| 3 | Innings | Each team gets one or two innings depending on the format. |
| 4 | Runs | Runs are scored by batting and running or by hitting boundaries. |
| 5 | Wickets | A team is “all out” after losing 10 wickets. |
| 6 | Over | An over consists of 6 legal deliveries. |
| 7 | No Ball | An illegal delivery (e.g., overstepping the crease) results in a no ball. |
| 8 | Wide Ball | A ball too far from the batter to hit is called a wide. |
| 9 | LBW (Leg Before Wicket) | A batter is out if a ball hits the pad and would have hit the stumps. |
| 10 | Caught Out | A batter is out if the ball is caught before touching the ground. |
| 11 | Bowled Out | A batter is out if the ball hits and dislodges the bails. |
| 12 | Run Out | A batter is out if the stumps are broken while running between wickets. |
| 13 | Field Restrictions | Limited number of fielders allowed in certain areas during overs. |
| 14 | Powerplay | Special fielding restrictions in early overs (in ODIs and T20s). |
| 15 | Decision Review System (DRS) | Teams can review umpire decisions using technology. |
1. Number of Players in a Cricket Team
Every cricket in shape is contested among two groups. Each team consists of 11 player’s, such as:
- 1 Captain
- 1 Wicketkeeper
- Batsmen
- Bowlers
- All-rounders
The group can also have alternative fielders, however substitutes are not allowed to bat, bowl, or keep wickets except specially authorized. 15 Rules of Cricket
🧿 2. The Toss
Before the suit starts, the captains of each teams take part in a toss conducted by way of the suit referee.15 Rules of Cricket
- The triumphing captain chooses whether to bat or field first.
- Toss becomes essential, mainly in situations where the pitch may additionally desire batting or bowling at different degrees of the game.
🧮 3. Innings in Cricket
The game is split into innings, depending at the format:
- Test Match: 2 innings in keeping with side
- One-Day International (ODI): 1 innings of 50 overs per side
- T20 Match: 1 innings of 20 overs per facet
Each crew gets a hazard to bat and bowl.
🏃 4. Scoring Runs
Runs are the fundamental unit of scoring in cricket. 15 Rules of Cricket
Ways to score runs:
- Running between the wickets (1, 2, or 3 runs)
- Hitting obstacles:
- 4 runs if the ball hits the floor earlier than touching the boundary
- 6 runs if the ball crosses the boundary without touching the floor
- Extras: No balls, wides, leg byes, and byes
🧢 5. Wickets and ‘All Out’ Condition
Each batting team can lose up to 10 wickets. The team is taken into consideration “all out” whilst 10 out of the 11 players are disregarded.15 Rules of Cricket
Wickets fall due to:
- Bowled
- Caught
- LBW
- Run out
- Stumped
- Hit wicket
🎯 6. What is an Over?
An over is a set of 6 legal deliveries bowled with the aid of a bowler.15 Rules of Cricket
Key points:
- A bowler cannot bowl 2 consecutive overs.
- Bowlers are turned around after every over.
- The range of overs depends at the layout: E.G., 20 overs in T20, 50 overs in ODI.
❌ 7. No Ball
A no ball is an illegal transport, and it results in:15 Rules of Cricket
- 1 greater run for the batting team
- A free hit in constrained-overs cricket (the batter can’t be out besides run out)
Common reasons for no ball:
- Overstepping the bowling crease
- Dangerous bouncer
- Bowling underarm (in present day cricket, it’s unlawful)
⬅️➡️ 8. Wide Ball
A wide is called whilst the ball is:
- Too far from the batter for an affordable shot
- Delivered outdoor the hints at the pitch
It consequences in:
- 1 greater run
- The delivery doesn’t count number in the over
🦵 9. Leg Before Wicket (LBW)
The batter is out LBW if:
- The ball hits their leg/pad and it would have long past on to hit the stumps
- The ball pitches in line or at the off aspect
- There’s no contact with the bat
LBW is one of the most technical and reviewed choices in cricket.
🧤 10. Caught Out
A batter is stuck out if the ball:
- Is struck with the bat or glove
- Is stuck by way of a fielder or wicketkeeper earlier than touching the floor
Caught behind is commonplace against rapid bowlers and spinners.
🎳 11. Bowled Out
The batter is bowled out whilst:
- The ball is delivered legally
- It hits the stumps and dislodges the bails
It’s one of the cleanest and most simple varieties of dismissal.
🏃💨 12. Run Out
A batter is run out while:
- They fail to reach the crease line earlier than the fielding facet dislodges the bails
- It typically takes place whilst trying runs
Wicketkeepers, bowlers, or fielders can effect a run-out.
🚫 13. Field Restrictions
To prevent groups from putting all fielders defensively:
- Limited overs codecs have fielding restrictions
- During Powerplays, only 2 or 4 fielders are allowed outdoor the circle
- These rules range via layout
Example:
- In T20, most effective 5 fielders allowed on leg facet
- In ODIs, 3 powerplays manipulate subject placement
💥 14. Powerplay Rules
Powerplay refers to a hard and fast of overs where fielding is limited:
- T20 Matches: First 6 overs – simplest 2 fielders allowed out of doors the 30-backyard circle
- ODI Matches: Powerplay 1 (10 overs), Powerplay 2 (30 overs), Powerplay 3 (10 overs)
It encourages attacking batting early in the innings.
📺 15. Decision Review System (DRS)
The DRS (Decision Review System) facilitates in:
- Reviewing LBW, caught behind, and other choices
- Using ball monitoring, UltraEdge, HawkEye, and sluggish-motion replays
Each crew receives a restricted wide variety of unsuccessful reviews:
- 2 in Tests
- 1 in limited overs (ODI/T20)
📝 Bonus Rules to Know (Advanced)
Though we targeted on 15 rules, here are additional essential rules for severe novices:
- Stumping
- Hit wicket
- Obstructing the sector
- Mankading
- Penalty runs
- Overthrow runs
📚 History of the Laws of Cricket
- First codified in 1744
- MCC took over the laws in 1788
- Updated regularly; the latest version got here in 2017 with gender-impartial language and participant behavior policies
📊 Formats in Cricket and Their Rule Variations
| Format | Overs | Powerplay Overs | Reviews (DRS) | Other Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Match | Unlimited | No | 2 per innings | Played over 5 days |
| ODI | 50 per side | 10-40 overs | 1 per innings | White ball, colored kits |
| T20 | 20 per side | First 6 overs | 1 per innings | Fast-paced, boundary-heavy matches |
🧠 Final Thoughts: Why Understanding Rules Is Important?
Understanding those 15 policies of cricket is essential for fans, players, and even commentators. Whether you’re:
- Playing gully cricket with friends
- Watching the ICC World Cup
- Following your preferred IPL team
Knowing the regulations facilitates beautify your entertainment, examine the game higher, or even settle pleasant debates.
🔚 Conclusion
Cricket may additionally appearance complex at the beginning, however after you apprehend the core guidelines—especially these pinnacle 15 laws—it turns into a lot greater enticing. From the toss to DRS, from overs to powerplays, these guidelines form every transport, run, and wicket in a match.
Now that you realize the 15 policies of cricket, you’re prepared to observe the sport like a seasoned!
