In cricket, while batters aim to pile up runs, bowlers work just as hard to dismiss them or limit their scoring. Once all batters are dismissed, the batting team’s innings comes to an end, making dismissals a crucial part of the game’s strategy.
While many fans are familiar with common dismissals like being bowled or caught, cricket has 12 different ways a batter can be given out. From the dramatic to the rare, each type has its own set of rules.
In this blog, we’ll explore all 12 types of outs in cricket, helping you better understand the game’s rules.
12 Legal Types Of Outs In Cricket
Here’s a quick overview of all 12 types of outs in cricket:
| Sr no | Type of output | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caught | When the batsman hits the ball with their bat or glove, and a fielder catches it before it touches the ground |
| 2 | Bowled | When the bowler delivers the ball, and it hits the stumps, dislodging the bails, resulting in the batsman being out. |
| 3 | Leg Before Wicket | When the ball hits the batsman’s legs in line with the stumps, preventing it from hitting the wicket, and the umpire rules it out. |
| 4 | Stumped | When the wicketkeeper removes the bails while the batsman is out of their crease and not attempting a run. |
| 5 | Run-out | When a fielder hits the stumps with the ball before the batsman reaches the crease while attempting a run. |
| 6 | Obstructing the field | When the batsman deliberately uses their body or bat to block the ball, preventing the fielding team from getting a dismissal. |
| 7 | Hit Wicket | When the batsman accidentally hits their stumps with their bat or body while playing a shot or in their stance. |
| 8 | Timed Out | When the batsman fails to be ready to face the next delivery within the time allowed by the umpire. |
| 9 | Hit the ball twice | When the batsman deliberately or accidentally hits the ball twice with their bat or body before it has been touched by a fielder. |
| 10 | Retired out | When the batsman voluntarily leaves the field due to injury, fatigue, or other reasons, and do not return to the game. |
| 11 | Mankading | Mankad Out in cricket refers to a type of dismissal where the bowler runs out the non-striker (the batter at the other end) before delivering the ball, if that batter leaves the crease too early. |
| 12 | Handling the Ball | When the batsman deliberately touches the ball with a hand not holding the bat during play without the consent of the fielding side |
Now that you know all types, let’s understand each one in detail:
1. Caught
A batter is declared out as “caught” when the ball hits the bat (or glove holding the bat) and is caught by a fielder, wicketkeeper, or bowler before it touches the ground. It’s the most common type of dismissal in cricket and highlights sharp reflexes and fielding skills.
2. Bowled
Bowled is one of the most common and straightforward types of dismissals in cricket. A batter is declared bowled out when the ball delivered by the bowler hits the stumps and dislodges the bails, without touching anyone else. It shows the bowler’s skill in beating the batter’s defense.
3. Leg Before Wicket (LBW)
Leg Before Wicket (LBW) is one of the most technical types of dismissals in cricket. It occurs when the ball hits the batter’s leg (or any part of the body) in line with the stumps and would have hit the wickets if not blocked.
4. Stumped
Stumped is a method of dismissal in cricket where the wicketkeeper removes the bails while the batter is out of their crease and not attempting a run. This usually happens when the batter misses the ball after stepping out to play a shot. It’s a common way to get batters out, especially in spin bowling.
5. Run-Out
A run-out occurs when a batter fails to reach the crease before the fielding team breaks the stumps with the ball while attempting a run. It often results from miscommunication or poor fielding. Both strikers and non-strikers can be run out. This type of dismissal tests the players’ speed and coordination.
6. Obstructing the Field
This rare dismissal occurs when a batter deliberately blocks a fielder’s attempt to gather or throw the ball. It’s considered unfair play if the batter uses their body or bat to prevent a run-out or fielding attempt. Umpires decide based on intent.
7. Hit Wicket
Hit wicket occurs when a batter accidentally dislodges the stumps with any part of their body or clothing while attempting a shot or during their stance. This can happen when the batter hits the stumps with their bat or foot. It’s considered a form of dismissal and results in the batter being out.
8. Timed Out
A “Timed Out” dismissal occurs when a batter fails to be ready to face the next delivery within the specified time frame, which is typically 3 minutes. If a player does not arrive at the crease within this period, the umpire can declare them “Timed Out,” and they are dismissed. This rule ensures smooth play without unnecessary delays.
9. Hit the Ball Twice
In cricket, “Hit the Ball Twice” occurs when a batter deliberately strikes the ball more than once during a delivery. This can happen when the batter attempts to stop the ball from hitting the stumps or simply mishits it. It is considered a dismissal, and the batter is given out for breaching this rule under Law 33 of the Laws of Cricket.
10. Retired Out
Retired Out is a rare way of getting out in cricket, where a batsman voluntarily leaves the field due to injury, fatigue, or other reasons without being dismissed. Unlike retirement for injury, which is considered temporary, “retired out” is a permanent decision, and the player cannot return to the match. This is usually recorded in the scorebook as “Retired Out.
11. Mankading Out
If the non-striker starts walking out of their crease before the ball is bowled, the bowler can legally stop and knock the bails off the stumps to dismiss them. This is called “Mankading”, named after Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad, who first did this in 1947.
12. Handling the Ball
Handling the Ball is a relatively rare dismissal in cricket. It occurs when a batsman deliberately touches the ball with their hand that is not holding the bat during play, without the consent of the fielding side. This is considered against the rules as it prevents the fielding team from potentially dismissing the batsman through conventional means. If the umpire determines that the batsman intentionally handled the ball, they will be given out.
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Conclusion: There Are 12 Types Of Outs In Cricket
In cricket, there are 12 recognized types of outs, each adding a unique strategic layer to the game. From the common dismissals like caught, bowled, and LBW, to the rare ones like timed out or obstructing the field, every form of dismissal impacts the flow and tactics of a match.
Understanding these types not only helps fans enjoy the game more deeply but also highlights how crucial timing, technique, and quick decision-making are in shaping a team’s performance on the field.
