Cricket is a team sport played with a bat and ball, where two teams of eleven players each compete to score runs.
The game is typically played on a circular or oval field with a 22-yard-long rectangular pitch at the center. Each team takes turns to bat and bowl.
The batting team aims to score runs by hitting the ball and running between two sets of wickets, while the bowling team tries to dismiss the batsmen
by hitting the wickets with the ball or catching the ball before it hits the ground. Matches can last a few hours (in Twenty20) to five days
(in Test cricket), depending on the format.
A cricket match is usually divided into innings, where each team takes turns to bat and bowl. The primary objective
for the batting team is to score as many runs as possible by hitting the ball and running between two sets of wickets or by hitting boundaries.
The team that is batting first sets a target score, which the opposing team then attempts to surpass in their innings. During their time in the field,
the bowling team’s goal is to restrict the batting team's scoring and dismiss the batsmen..
The basic rules involve scoring runs by hitting the ball and running between wickets,
getting out by being dismissed, and bowling to restrict runs. Each team must adhere to fielding restrictions, such as the number of fielders allowed in
specific areas. Additionally, the bowler must deliver the ball within legal guidelines to avoid penalties like no-balls or wides. The match progresses
through a series of overs, and teams must strategize their batting and bowling tactics to outperform their opponents.
A wicket is a set of three stumps and two bails at each end of the pitch, and it’s the target for the bowler.
The primary objective of the bowler is to hit the stumps or force the batsman to make mistakes that lead to dismissals. When the ball hits the wicket
and dislodges the bails, the batsman is considered out. Additionally, wickets play a crucial role in determining the field placements and strategies
used by both the batting and bowling teams.
The main formats are Test cricket (5 days), One Day Internationals (50 overs per side), and Twenty20 (20 overs per side).
Test cricket is the traditional format with a full day of play, allowing for in-depth strategies and endurance. One Day Internationals offer a limited overs
format that emphasizes quick scoring and tactical play. Twenty20 matches are the shortest format, featuring explosive batting and high-paced action,
making it a favorite for shorter, high-energy games.
A bowler is a player who delivers the ball to the batsman, while a batsman is a player who tries to hit the ball to
score runs. The bowler’s goal is to get the batsman out through various types of deliveries, such as fast, spin, or swing. The batsman’s objective is
to defend the wickets and score runs by hitting the ball effectively.
A run is scored when the batsmen successfully run between the wickets after hitting the ball. Each completed run involves both
batsmen running to the opposite wickets,
and multiple runs can be scored in a single hit depending on the ball's placement. Runs are also awarded when the ball reaches the boundary for four or six runs,
depending on whether it touches the ground before crossing the boundary line.
