🏏 Batting
LBW (Leg Before Wicket)
Since 1774 (amended 2017)A batsman can be given out if the ball hits the pad and would have gone on to hit the stumps, subject to various conditions about where the ball pitched and where it hit the pad.
Switch Hit Legality
Since 2008 (amended 2008)The switch hit — where a batsman changes from right to left-handed (or vice versa) mid-delivery — was ruled legal by the ICC in 2008 after Kevin Pietersen popularized it.
📺 DRS & Technology
Decision Review System (DRS)
Since 2008 (amended 2022)A technology-based system that allows players to challenge on-field umpiring decisions using ball-tracking, UltraEdge, and video replays.
Umpire's Call
Since 2008 (amended 2023)When DRS shows the ball is only marginally hitting the stumps (less than 50%), the on-field umpire's original decision stands — cricket's most controversial modern rule.
Hawk-Eye Ball Tracking
Since 2001 (amended 2020)Computer vision technology that tracks the trajectory of the cricket ball and predicts its future path, used primarily for LBW decisions in DRS.
UltraEdge / Snickometer
Since 1999 (amended 2013)Sound-based technology that detects edges by analyzing audio waveforms alongside video footage, used in DRS for caught-behind and LBW decisions.
Third Umpire Protocols
Since 1992 (amended 2022)The third umpire sits off the field with access to TV replays and technology, assisting with run-outs, stumpings, catches, boundaries, and DRS reviews.
🎯 Bowling
No-Ball Rules
Since 1744 (amended 2022)A delivery is a no-ball if the bowler oversteps the crease, bowls a dangerous full toss, exceeds bouncer limits, or breaks other bowling laws. A no-ball awards one extra run and a free hit in limited-overs cricket.
Free Hit
Since 2007 (amended 2015)After a no-ball in limited-overs cricket, the next delivery is a free hit where the batsman cannot be dismissed by the bowler (caught, bowled, LBW, stumped, or hit wicket).
Wide Ball Rules
Since 1811 (amended 2019)A delivery bowled too far from the batsman to hit is called a wide. The definition varies significantly between formats — much stricter in T20s than in Tests.
Bouncer / Short-Pitched Bowling Rules
Since 1991 (amended 2019)Limits on the number of short-pitched deliveries (bouncers) a bowler can bowl per over — 2 in Tests, 1 in ODIs/T20Is. Introduced after the Bodyline era led to safety concerns.
Beamer (Dangerous Full Toss)
Since 1991 (amended 2017)A full toss above waist height is a no-ball. Two beamers in an innings and the bowler is removed from the attack.
Reverse Swing
When an old ball swings in the opposite direction to conventional swing — a phenomenon mastered by Pakistani bowlers and often linked to ball tampering allegations.
Bowling Action — 15-Degree Rule
Since 2004 (amended 2014)A bowler's arm can flex up to 15 degrees during delivery. Beyond this, the action is deemed illegal (throwing/chucking). This rule resolved the Murali controversy.
🔴 Ball Tampering
Ball Tampering (Law 41.3)
Since 1980 (amended 2022)Illegally altering the condition of the cricket ball is a serious offence. Players may shine the ball using natural substances but cannot use artificial materials, scratch, or pick at the seam.
Saliva Ban on Ball
Since 2020 (amended 2022 (made permanent))Saliva is permanently banned from being used to shine the cricket ball. Introduced as a COVID-19 health measure in 2020, the ban was made permanent in 2022.
👆 Dismissals
Mankad / Run Out at Non-Striker's End
Since 1947 (amended 2022)A bowler can run out the non-striker if they leave their crease before the ball is delivered. Previously called 'Mankading', it was reclassified as a standard run-out in 2022.
Timed Out
Since 1980 (amended 2022)An incoming batsman must be ready to face or for their partner to face within 2 minutes of the fall of the previous wicket. Failure results in being dismissed 'Timed Out'.
Obstructing the Field
Since 1884 (amended 2017)A batsman is out if they willfully obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action. Since 2017, 'Handled the ball' was merged into this dismissal.
Hit Wicket
Since 1744 (amended 2017)A batsman is out hit wicket if they knock the bails off their own stumps while playing a shot or setting off for a run.
Caught Out
Since 1744 (amended 2017)A batsman is out caught if a fielder catches the ball on the full after it has touched the bat or glove holding the bat.
Run Out
Since 1744 (amended 2022)A batsman is run out if their wicket is put down by the fielding side while they are out of their ground during a run.
Stumping
Since 1744 (amended 2023)A batsman is stumped if the wicketkeeper breaks the stumps while the batsman is out of their crease and not attempting a run.
🏟️ Playing Conditions
Concussion Substitute Rule
Since 2019 (amended 2019)If a player suffers a concussion during a match, they can be replaced by a like-for-like substitute who can bat, bowl, and field.
DLS Method (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern)
Since 1997 (amended 2014)The mathematical formula used to recalculate targets in rain-affected limited-overs matches. Originally the D/L method (1997), renamed DLS after Steven Stern's revisions in 2014.
🎮 Match Formats
Super Over (Tie-Breaker)
Since 2008 (amended 2019)When a limited-overs match is tied, a Super Over of 6 balls per side is used to determine the winner. If the Super Over is also tied, subsequent Super Overs are played.
Boundary Count Rule (Scrapped)
Since 2019 (amended 2019 (scrapped))If a World Cup knockout match and its Super Over both ended in a tie, the team with more boundaries in the match won. Used once — in the 2019 WC Final — then immediately scrapped.
Follow-On
Since 1835 (amended 1961)In Test cricket, if the team batting first leads by 200+ runs, they can ask the opposing team to bat again immediately instead of batting themselves.
Declaration & Forfeiture
Since 1889 (amended 2000)In Test cricket, the batting team's captain can declare their innings closed at any time. Since 2000, a captain can also forfeit an innings entirely.
Impact Player Rule (IPL)
Since 2023 (amended 2023)An IPL-specific rule allowing teams to substitute a player during the match — effectively playing 12 players per match. Widely criticized for marginalizing all-rounders.
World Test Championship Points System
Since 2019 (amended 2023)The WTC awards points for Test series results, with the top 2 teams qualifying for a final. The points system has changed multiple times since inception.
🚫 Penalties & Sanctions
Fake Fielding
Since 2017 (amended 2017)If a fielder deliberately misleads a batsman by pretending to field the ball or pretending to throw it, 5 penalty runs are awarded to the batting team.
5 Penalty Runs
Since 2000 (amended 2017)5 penalty runs are awarded for specific offences including ball tampering, fake fielding, deliberate short runs, time wasting, and the ball hitting a fielder's helmet on the ground.
Over Rate Penalties
Since 2003 (amended 2023)Teams must bowl their overs within the allotted time. Penalties include fines, WTC points deductions, and in-match fielding restrictions in LOIs.
🧢 Equipment
New Ball Rules
Since 1907 (amended 2019)Teams can take a new ball after a certain number of overs — 80 in Tests, new ball at the start in LOIs. Different ball brands (Kookaburra, Dukes, SG) behave differently.
Bat Size Regulations
Since 2017 (amended 2017)The ICC introduced maximum bat dimensions in 2017 — maximum 108mm wide, 67mm deep, and 40mm edge thickness — to prevent bats from getting too big.
📋 General
Dead Ball
Since 1744 (amended 2022)A ball becomes dead when the umpire considers it is no longer in play. No runs can be scored and no dismissals can occur once the ball is dead.
Neutral Umpires
Since 1994 (amended 2023)The ICC mandates that at least one (ideally both) on-field umpires in international matches must be from a neutral country — not either of the teams playing.