Unleashing The Thrills: A Guide To Box Cricket Rules

“Crack The Code Of Box Cricket, Master The Rules, And Rule The Game”

Cricket has been played in various forms worldwide, including indoor cricket, for over a century. While the game’s main rules have stayed the same, new variations like box cricket, have emerged with their own set of rules. Box cricket is a popular and unique cricket variation with its own rules and regulations. This article provides an introduction to box cricket and its common box cricket rules to help you understand this thrilling version of the game.

All About Box Cricket 

Box cricket is a type of indoor cricket that was created because of weather and space issues in cities. The game is played inside a rectangular area surrounded by walls, which makes for quick and exciting matches. The rules are different from traditional cricket to fit the indoor setting. 

Box cricket is a great option because it has shorter games, smaller teams, and unique scoring against walls. It has become very popular, and organized leagues have been formed. The box cricket rules and the game allows people to enjoy cricket in a fun and dynamic way, even when playing outside isn’t an option. Also, it was created after the success of the Celebrity Cricket League, a T10 tournament featuring franchises in major Indian cities.

General Requirements For Playing Box Cricket

Box Cricket League (BCL) is a type of indoor cricket played on a short strip of artificial turf called the “batting strip.” The arena is typically 60-70 feet long and 40-50 feet wide, and the game involves miniature stumps called wickets placed at both ends of the pitch. The bowler tries to hit the stumps to dismiss the batsman. The scoring system is similar to traditional cricket, with runs earned by hitting the ball and running between the wickets. Another unique feature of the game is the “stamp,” where batsmen must touch a specific area to complete a run.

What Are Box Cricket Rules And Ordinances? 

Indoor cricket or box cricket rules involve two teams of 6 to 8 players, each playing in an indoor space, usually grass-covered with netting. This may or may not involve female cricketers alongside males. Most matches are played within an hour, with rules set before the match or tournament.

The Box Cricket Rules 

Box cricket is a thrilling version of traditional cricket. The box cricket rules are played with unique rules and regulations to add excitement to this unique game. Playing cricket in an enclosed space comes with its own challenges, and box cricket takes this into account with unique rules put in place to make the game fairer for both teams in action.

General Box Cricket Rules

• As per the box cricket rules, there should be  6-8 players in a team with one substitute.
• It’s important that both teams have the same number of male and female players. A common way of doing this is to have a ratio of 4:2 or 6:2.
• During each match inning, the players compete in 5-12 overs. The bowlers are permitted to bowl either 1/4 of the total overs or a maximum of two overs in certain situations.
• Apart from conventional cricket dismissals, box cricket rules also have a few other ways of dismissal.
• Anything entirely outside the playing area will result in the batsman being dismissed.
• If there are nets, the usual rules consider any rebound catch – whether on the sides or on the roof – as a wicket.
• If a wicket falls, the batting team will receive penalties, typically resulting in a deduction of up to 5 runs.
• The last ball of the innings is a jackpot ball, with the points scored by the team doubled. If it is a dismissal, the negative points are also doubled. In some circumstances and at some platforms, an entire over is rewarded as a jackpot to the batting team.
• Two fielders should be placed behind and two in front of the bowling alley.
• The last general box cricket rule is that a super over decides the winner of a tie. In some cases where teams are looking to end games soon, a coin toss for a winner or a one-ball hit is also played.

Box Cricket Match Rules

Format Of Match

According to the box cricket rules, the match format requires six overs and six players on each side, with two additional players allowed per team.

Over per bowler limit

Each bowler can bowl a maximum of 2 overs, while the others can only bowl 1 over.

Wide Ball Rules 

For over 1 to 5: wide ball results in a 2-run penalty to the team. 

Successive wides: 2 runs for the first, 4 runs for the second, and 6 runs for the third through sixth wides (which count as balls). 

For the sixth over, wide balls do not count and result in a 1-run penalty to the team.

NO Ball rules

• For the first five overs, if the bowler bowls a no-ball, two runs will be awarded to the batting team, and the bowler will have to bowl the ball again, and it will be a free hit.
• During the 6th over, the ball was not counted, and a penalty of 1 run was given, resulting in the next ball being a free hit.
• If a bowler delivers a full toss above the waist, it is considered a no-ball and a penalty of 2 runs will be given.
• For the third bouncer over shoulder height, after two warnings, it will be considered a no-ball with a 2-run penalty, and the next ball will be a free hit.
• No more than three no-balls are allowed in an over. If a fourth no ball is bowled in the same over, the bowler will be disqualified.5. Bowling in a way that involves throwing is prohibited, and any rulings regarding this will be made by the umpire.

Boundaries

a) Fours: below horizontal mid-beam and beyond marked pillars

b) Sixes: above horizontal mid-beam and beyond marked pillars

c) Fly-through shots are counted based on 1st impact point

d) Overthrows to the fence can result in 4’s and 6’s.

Fielding Rules

No more than 3 fielders are allowed on one side of the ground. Wicketkeeper is optional. Direct catches only, no rebounds. Roof rebounds result in a ball in play but not a catch. No LBW outs, but foot deflections may result in leg byes/byes. If there is a tie, a Super Over will be played.

How Is Box Cricket Different From Ground Cricket?

Cricket comes in two versions: box cricket and ground cricket. Each provides a unique experience for players and fans alike. Box cricket is played indoors, where the playing area is a confined rectangular space with walls on all sides. The walls are considered part of the field, and hitting them can earn runs, adding an exciting strategic element to the game. Teams consist of 6 to 8 players per side, making matches shorter in duration due to the intensified nature of play. 

Ground cricket, on the other hand, is played outdoors on larger fields with natural turf and open spaces. Teams have 11 players each, and boundaries marked on the field determine runs scored from hitting the ball over them. Because of the unpredictability of weather conditions, ground cricket can offer a dynamic factor that can potentially affect match outcomes. 

Why Is Box Cricket So Popular  Nowadays?

India has seen the emergence of a very enjoyable new sport in the form of box cricket, which is played everywhere, from schools to businesses. Due to the simplified regulations and faster pace at which the game proceeds compared to conventional cricket, it is suitable for the whole family. With a wide variety of activities and events, you are sure to have a great time! So what are you waiting for? Play today! 

Wrap Up

All in all, it becomes quite clear that the rules of the game are quite flexible and adaptable to the mutual wishes of both teams. Additional benefits of this flexible type of cricket are that it allows a very diverse mix of people of different age groups and fitness levels to play together, as well as helping those who are hesitant to be more active and are more likely to engage in conventional cricket.

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