Cricket Rules and Regulations Every Cricket Player Should Know

Cricket has exactly 42 Laws written by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), plus a set of playing conditions that change between formats. That sounds like a lot. For most players on the ground, only 15 rules actually come up every match.

We will break down the basic rules of cricket, explain why they matter, and look at the 15 rules of cricket that are important for every player to understand.

This guide covers the full set of cricket rules and regulations in plain language. You will learn the 42 Laws in summary, the 15 rules every player uses in live matches, and the latest updates for 2025 & 2026, including the stop-clock rule, the saliva ban, and the impact player substitution.

Key takeaways

• Cricket has 42 official Laws written by the MCC, last revised in the 2017 code with amendments in 2022 and 2024.
• On the field, 15 core rules cover 95% of match situations: toss, overs, runs, wickets, LBW, no-ball, wides, powerplay, DRS, super over and more.
• The latest additions to cricket rules and regulations include the stop-clock rule (2024 men’s international), the permanent saliva ban, and the impact player rule in the IPL.
• Test matches have no over limit. ODIs are 50 overs per side. T20s are 20 overs per side.
• The DLS method handles rain-shortened matches in international cricket; the VJD method is used in some Indian domestic tournaments.

What Are the Basic Rules of Cricket?

Before we discuss the specifics, it’s important to grasp the general structure of the game. Cricket is played between two teams, typically with 11 players on each side. The main goal? To score more runs than the opposing team.

Here’s a quick rundown of how cricket works:

1. The Batting Team: Tries to score as many runs as possible.
2. The Bowling Team: Aims to dismiss the batsmen and limit their runs.
3. The Fielding Team: Works with the bowler to prevent runs and take wickets.
4. Innings: Each team gets a turn to bat and bowl. Teams can play the game in formats such as Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), or T20s, each with different innings rules.

With this basic structure in mind, let’s move on to the 15 rules of cricket every player should know.

How many rules are there in cricket?

Cricket has 42 Laws written by the Marylebone Cricket Club. These are the official rules of the game, covering everything from the size of the pitch to how a batter can be given out. The ICC adds playing conditions on top of these Laws for international matches, and tournaments like the IPL add their own variations.

The 42 Laws are grouped into broad areas:

• Laws 1 to 12: The players, officials, equipment, and match setup
• Laws 13 to 17: Scoring, innings, follow-on, declarations, and intervals
• Laws 18 to 23: Scoring runs, dead ball, no-ball, wide, bye and leg bye
• Laws 24 to 31: Substitutes, captains, umpires, appeals
• Laws 32 to 40: The 10 ways a batter can be dismissed
• Laws 41 and 42: Fair and unfair play, players' conduct

Most of what you see in a real match comes from these 42 Laws. The 15 key rules below are the ones that show up in almost every game you will play or watch.

15 rules of cricket every player should know

1. The toss: how cricket decides who bats first

At the start of every match, the two team captains meet for a coin toss. The captain who wins the toss gets to choose whether their team will bat or bowl first. The decision can significantly impact the game, especially considering factors like weather, pitch conditions, and team strengths.

Example: 

In Test matches, teams might choose to bat first if the pitch is dry and suitable for batting. In limited-overs formats like T20s, captains may choose to bowl first to chase a set target.

2. Boundaries: how fours and sixes are scored

The boundary is the perimeter around the cricket field. If a batsman hits the ball and it crosses the boundary after touching the ground, the team scores four runs. If the ball crosses the boundary without touching the ground, it’s a six.

Example: 

If the batsman hits a powerful shot that clears the boundary ropes without bouncing, it’s a six. However, if it bounces once before going over the ropes, it's a four.

3. Wickets: the 10 ways a batter gets out

The primary goal for the fielding team is to dismiss the batsmen by taking wickets.

Law 32 to Law 40 of the MCC code lists 10 total ways a batter can be dismissed:

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

Handled the ball was merged into obstructing the field in the 2017 MCC code rewrite.

Also read: Types of Outs in Cricket: From Bowled to Run Out

Example: 

A bowler bowls a fast delivery, the batsman misses, and the ball hits the stumps, resulting in the batsman being bowled out.

4. Runs: how scoring works in cricket

Runs are the lifeblood of cricket. A batsman scores runs by hitting the ball and running between the wickets or hitting the ball to the boundary. Extra runs can also be scored through no-balls, wides, and byes.

Example: 

After hitting the ball, the batsman runs to the opposite crease while the non-striker does the same, scoring one run.

5. Overs: six balls per over, format-by-format

An over consists of six legitimate deliveries bowled by a bowler. In limited-overs formats (ODIs and T20s), each bowler is restricted to a certain number of overs. A team usually has to bowl a set number of overs in the game—50 in ODIs and 20 in T20 matches.

Example: 

In an ODI, a team needs to bowl a total of 50 overs. Each bowler is allowed a maximum of 10 overs to balance the game.

Also Read : Types of Cricket Matches: Everything You Need to Know

6. No-balls and free hits: what the rule says

A no-ball occurs when the bowler oversteps the crease or delivers a high, full toss. The batting team is awarded an extra run, and the next delivery becomes a free hit, meaning the batsman cannot be dismissed by any means other than a run-out.

Example: 

If a bowler oversteps while delivering the ball, the umpire calls a no-ball. The batsman then gets a free hit, and even if a fielder catches them, they remain not out.

7. Leg Before Wicket (LBW) rule in cricket

The LBW rule allows the umpire to dismiss a batsman if the ball strikes any part of the body (usually the leg) in line with the stumps, and the umpire believes the ball would have hit the stumps if the body had not blocked it.

Example: 

A bowler delivers a straight ball that hits the batsman’s leg in front of the stumps. If the umpire feels the ball would have hit the stumps, the batsman is out LBW.

8. Powerplay rules in cricket (ODI and T20)

In limited-overs cricket, a powerplay restricts the number of fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle during the first few overs. This gives the batting team a better chance to score quickly, but also challenges the bowlers to stay sharp.

Example: 

In the first 10 overs of an ODI, teams can place only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle, which encourages batsmen to play aggressive shots and score more runs.

9. The follow-on rule in Test cricket

In Test matches, if the team batting second falls short of the first team’s score by a significant margin, the captain of the leading team can ask the opposition to follow-on. This forces them to bat again immediately, without the leading team having to bat a second time.

Example: 

If Team A scores 500 runs and Team B only manages 200 in their first innings, Team A may enforce the follow-on, making Team B bat again right away.

10. DLS and VJD methods: rain-rule calculations

In cricket, rain or bad weather can disrupt a game. To ensure fair results, officials use two mathematical methods to revise the target when overs are lost:

• Duckworth-Lewis (DLS) Method:Widely used in international matches, the DLS Method in Cricket adjusts the target based on the remaining wickets and overs.
• VJD Method: Primarily used in Indian domestic matches like the IPL, the VJD Method in Cricket is similar but uses different calculations to estimate fair targets.

Example: 

If rain interrupts a 50-over ODI, reducing the match to 30 overs, the DLS or VJD method will recalculate the target for the team batting second, considering the number of wickets in hand and overs remaining.

Try: DLS Calculator

11. Wide ball rule: when a delivery is called wide

A wide ball is a delivery that is too far from the batsman’s reach. Wides result in an extra run for the batting team and the bowler has to bowl the ball again.

Example: 

A bowler delivers the ball too far outside the batsman’s off-stump. The umpire signals a wide, awarding the batting team one run and an additional delivery.

12. Bouncers and beamers: the short-ball rules

A bouncer is a short-pitched ball that targets the batsman’s upper body or head, and bowlers can deliver only a limited number per over. In contrast, a beamer is an illegal delivery that reaches the batsman on the full above waist height, so the umpire calls a no-ball.

Example: 

A fast bowler bowls a bouncer that rises to the batsman’s chest, but a beamer that hits a batsman at waist height without bouncing is considered illegal.

13. Run-out rule in cricket

A run-out occurs when the fielding team breaks the stumps while the batsman is attempting to complete a run and is outside the crease. This is a key strategy to prevent the batting side from scoring too many runs.

Example: 

A batsman hits the ball to a fielder and attempts a quick run, but the fielder throws the ball to the wicketkeeper who breaks the stumps before the batsman reaches the crease. The batsman is run-out.

14. Dead ball: when play stops

A dead ball occurs when play stops and players cannot take any further action on that delivery. This may happen if the ball goes out of play, a player is injured, or the umpire intervenes.

Example: 

If the ball accidentally slips out of the bowler’s hand during the run-up, the umpire signals a dead ball and does not credit any runs or wickets.

15. The super over rule: settling tied matches

In limited-overs matches, if the scores are tied, a super over is played to determine the winner. Each team nominates three batsmen, and the team with the highest score in the super over wins.

Example: 

If both teams score 150 runs in a T20 match, the match goes to a super over, where each team faces one additional over. The team that scores more runs in the super over wins the match.

Latest cricket rules: 2025 & 2026 updates

The rules of cricket get updated regularly by the ICC and the MCC. Here are the changes that matter most to players and fans right now.

Rule change	What it does	Where it applies
Stop-clock rule	Bowling team must start the next over within 60 seconds of the previous one. Penalty of 5 runs on the third breach.	Men's ODIs and T20Is from June 2024
Saliva ban (permanent)	Players cannot apply saliva to the ball. Introduced in 2020, made permanent in 2022.	All international cricket
Impact player	Each team can replace one player with a nominated substitute at any point in the match.	Indian Premier League (IPL)
Concussion substitute	A like-for-like replacement allowed if a player shows signs of concussion.	All international cricket
Soft signal removed	On-field umpire no longer gives a soft signal when reviewing catches with the TV umpire.	International cricket from June 2023

These changes reflect how cricket rules and regulations adapt to modern match pace, player safety, and television-era fairness. If you play in a league, check your tournament rule book because domestic competitions often adopt these updates at their own pace.

Other Important Cricket Rules and Regulations

While the above 15 rules of cricket cover most of what you need to know, here are a few other important regulations that players should keep in mind:

1. Fielding Restrictions

In limited-overs cricket, there are specific rules governing where fielders can stand. This ensures a balance between the bat and ball, making it harder for the fielding team to overly crowd the boundary.

2. Fair and Unfair Play

Cricket has strict guidelines on what constitutes fair play. For example, if a player tampers with the ball or deliberately blocks a fielder, the umpires consider it unfair and may impose penalties.

3. Injuries and Substitutes

If a player gets injured, the team can bring in a substitute fielder, but the substitute cannot bowl or bat. However, newer rules allow teams to use concussion substitutes in certain cases.

Why Knowing Cricket Rules is So Important

Understanding the rules doesn’t just improve your game—it also ensures that you play fairly and respect the sport. Here are a few reasons why every cricketer should be aware of the cricket rules and regulations:

• Avoid Unnecessary Penalties: Misinterpreting a rule can cost you runs or even wickets. Knowing the regulations will help you avoid mistakes.
• Enhance Teamwork: When every team member knows the rules, coordination and strategy improve.
• Boost Confidence: A solid understanding of the rules makes you more confident during the game, allowing you to focus on performance.

Conclusion

Understanding these basic rules of cricket will not only help you become a better player but also enhance your overall enjoyment of the game. Each of these 15 cricket rules plays a major role in shaping how the game is played, ensuring fairness and maintaining its competitive spirit.

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FAQs

1. What are the basic rules of cricket?

The basic rules of cricket involve two teams of 11 players, scoring runs by hitting the ball, and dismissing the other team’s batsmen through various means like bowling, catching, and run-outs.

2. What is LBW in cricket?

LBW, or Leg Before Wicket, is a way of dismissing a batsman if the ball hits his leg in line with the stumps and would have gone on to hit the stumps.

3. How many overs are in a cricket match?

The number of overs depends on the format. In Test cricket, there are no limits on overs, while ODIs have 50 overs per side, and T20s have 20 overs per side.

4. What is the powerplay in cricket?

The powerplay is a period in limited-overs cricket where fielding restrictions apply, allowing more chances for batsmen to score runs.

5. Can a substitute player bat or bowl in cricket?

No, a substitute player can only field. However, a new rule allows for a concussion substitute to bat or bowl if a player is injured due to a concussion.

6. How many laws are there in cricket?

There are 42 Laws of cricket, written and maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). These Laws cover everything from the pitch size and player equipment to the 10 ways a batter can be dismissed. The ICC adds playing conditions for international matches on top of these 42 Laws.

7. Who makes the rules of cricket?

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has written the Laws of cricket since 1788 and remains the sole authority on them. The International Cricket Council (ICC) sets playing conditions for international matches, and domestic boards like the BCCI set rules for leagues like the IPL.

8. What is the 5-run penalty in cricket?

Breaking certain rules results in a 5-run penalty awarded to the opposition. These rules include ball tampering, deliberate time-wasting, a fielder wearing illegal protective gear, or committing a third breach of the stop-clock rule. The umpire adds these runs as extras.

9. What is the stop-clock rule in cricket?

The stop-clock rule requires the bowling team to start a new over within 60 seconds of the previous one ending. The umpire issues two warnings, then awards 5 penalty runs to the batting team for every further breach. It applies to men's ODIs and T20Is since June 2024.

10. What is the difference between cricket laws and cricket rules?

The MCC writes the 42 official Laws of Cricket, and they apply to all forms of the game. The ICC, national boards, and tournaments add rules—known as playing conditions—to suit specific formats. For example, the powerplay is a playing condition, not a Law.