Cricket is the most popular sport in India, and Indians love cricket for various reasons. One reason is that cricket is a sport that people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy. Cricket is a sport that is full of drama and suspense, and it is a sport that can keep fans on the edge of their seats until the very end. But there are some people out there who are not into the game in particular.
Here’s a brief guide to every cricket format played:
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Test matches
Test matches are the most renowned and oldest form of cricket. They last no more than five days, with each team batting twice. A Test match has no limit on how many overs can be bowled. Test matches test a team’s abilities, including endurance, technique, and strategies. They also test a team’s ability to adapt to changing conditions, as Test matches can be played in various climates and on several pitches.
Test matches have produced some of the most memorable moments in cricket history. Kapil Dev hit 16 fours and six sixes on his way to 175 not out as India won the match in 1983 by chasing down a 387-run mark. In 2013, Kohli batted for more than ten hours and struck 254 not out as India drew the match. This was an outstanding effort, especially given that India was playing in South Africa, one of the world’s most difficult locations to bat.
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One-Day Internationals
ODIs were created in the 1970s to make cricket more appealing to a broader audience. One-day internationals are played daily, with each side batting for 50 overs. ODIs are a faster-paced and more thrilling style of cricket than Tests. Batsmen are more prone to play aggressive strokes, and wicket-taking deliveries are more important.
ODIs have also generated some of cricket’s most memorable moments. For example, in 1983, India defeated the West Indies in the Cricket World Cup final to win their first major international title. In 2019, England defeated New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup final in a Super Over after the match was deadlocked.
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Twenty20 Internationals
T20Is are cricket’s newest and shortest format. They were introduced in the early 2000s to make cricket more exciting and fast-paced. T20 Internationals are played in a single evening, with each side batting for 20 overs. The fielding team may bowl up to five fielders outside the 30-yard circle at any time. T20 Internationals are the most popular form of cricket worldwide, particularly among younger fans. They are also a big hit with television viewers. Some of the world’s best cricket talents compete in T20 tournaments, such as the Indian Premier League, Australia’s Big Bash League, and the Caribbean Premier League.
All three formats of cricket are exciting and challenging in their way. We have another format, too, which is much loved by us Indians. It is none other than the format part of everyone’s childhood – Gully Cricket! The rules in Gully cricket are very flexible, and the one who owns the bad decides most of them. The game starts when he wants to and ends when he wants to (or his mother wants to). And if the first ball you serve him is always a test ball, and if he gets out, the game is over. Which format of cricket is the best is a matter of opinion, but there is no doubt that all these formats offer something for everyone.
