EXPLAINER: These 10 rules make Test cricket exciting, which every cricket fan must know.

Test Cricket Rules: In today’s era, cricket is played in 3 formats. Test, ODI and T-20… Test cricket is the oldest format and is called real cricket. Cricket fans like this format played with white jersey and red ball very much. Even today, when there are 5-day test matches between big teams, the excitement reaches such a level that it becomes difficult for the spectators to even blink an eye. It would not be wrong to say that the rules make the test even more exciting, about which we will tell you today in this article. So let’s know the 10 important rules of Test cricket…

Test match lasts for 5 days

Test format is the longest format of cricket. 90 overs of the game are played in a day, which gives batsmen and bowlers a chance to play freely. Yes, on one hand, in limited overs cricket, the batsmen look to hit big shots as soon as they arrive and the bowlers look to stop the runs.

But, in Test cricket, the batsmen get full time to settle down and play their game, whereas the bowlers also focus completely on taking wickets and not on stopping runs. Played for a maximum of 5 days, this one match tests the patience of the players, which not only makes them a better cricketer but also a better athlete.

Both teams get 2-2 innings

In Test cricket played for 5 days, both the teams get 2-2 innings. In this, the batting team wants to put as many runs on the board as possible, while the bowling team wants to take wickets as quickly as possible. Only the team that takes 20 wickets first wins the test match. That is why in Test it is important for the batsmen to score runs, but it is most important for the bowlers to take wickets.

3 DRS are used in test

In ODI and T-20 formats, the team gets 2 DRS in an innings, whereas this is not the case in Test cricket. Actually, in Test cricket, a team plays 2 innings in a match and in every innings the team gets 3-3 DRS. If seen this way, in a match a team uses 6-6 DRS, whereas a total of 12 DRS are used in the match. Believe me, the thrill of Test cricket increases a lot with the decision review system.

There is a different thrill in a drawn match

In Test cricket, apart from win and loss, one result is seen more often and that is draw… Yes, many times such situations arise in Test matches, in which even drawing the match for the teams becomes equivalent to winning. In ODI cricket, when the match ends in a tie, it is called a tie. Whereas in Test cricket it is called a draw.

Test cricket is also different regarding fielding

Fielding rules also play an important role in making Test cricket different from the other two formats (ODI and T20). While in limited overs cricket there are many restrictions on fielding, in Test cricket the captain gets complete freedom to set the field as per his strategy. This is the reason why there is a mental battle between the batsman and the captain in Test cricket.

In T20 and ODI, the rules of power play and 30-yard circle apply, due to which more than a certain number of fielders cannot be placed on the boundary line. But there is no such rule in Test cricket. The captain arranges the field according to the situation and the weakness of the batsman. In Test cricket, 3 to 5 slip fielders are often seen, which further enhances the beauty of this game.

matches end with mutual consent

Many times in a test match, both the teams end the match with mutual consent. This happens only when there is not much time left in the game and both the teams feel that the result of the match will be a draw. For example, to win a team has to score 500 runs and the time left is 1 or 2 hours. Or a team needs 10 wickets to win the match and there are only a few last minutes left in the last session. It is worth noting that victory in the test has no impact on the net run rate etc. That is why teams also draw matches with mutual consent.

Follow-on rule

The most interesting rule of Test cricket is follow-on. If after the first innings one team gets a lead of 200 or more runs over the other team, then the captain can call the opposition team to bat again and this is called follow-on in Test cricket. However, nowadays many captains use this option less because it is also necessary to give rest to the bowlers.

You get a chance to get a new ball after 80 overs.

In Test cricket, the behavior of the ball changes as it gets older. Just as a new ball gives good swing, when the ball gets old it loses its shine and it becomes easier for the batsmen to score runs. Therefore, as per the rules in Test cricket, the fielding team can choose to take the new ball after the completion of 80 overs. After 80 overs, a new ball becomes available and the captain can take it whenever he wants.

Test matches are played during the day only

ODI and T-20 matches are played in the afternoon or evening. But, test matches are played only in daylight. It is not played under flood lights, which enhances the beauty of this game even more. Whereas this is not the case with ODI and T-20 formats. However, for your information, let us tell you that day-night test matches are also played, which are played with pink ball, but the number of those matches is very less.

Day’s play ends early due to bad lighting

As we told you that 90 overs can be played in a day of a test match. But, it depends on the circumstances. If the day’s overs have not been completed and the light begins to decrease, the on-field umpire uses a light meter. If the light is not as per the parameters, then a decision is taken to end the day’s play. But, there is also a difference of opinion in that, if the team which is batting wants, it can continue batting with the spinners. But, if the fielding team says that it wants to bowl with a pacer, then the day’s play is stopped there itself.

Also read: IND VS AFG: Captain Shubman Gill was waiting for this, as soon as it was completed, the innings was declared at the score of 564.