What are The Different Dismissals in the Sport of Cricket?

In the dynamic world of a bat and ball game, a batsman’s quest to score runs can conclude with the different dismissals in cricket. In simpler terms, it means a batsman getting out and walking to the pavilion end.

A batsman’s knock is brought to an end by the opponent team’s bowler and fielder.

Once dismissed, a batsman is prevented from scoring runs as well as restricts his presence on the field.

As a cricket enthusiast, you would have observed various dismissals in cricket.

A batting side innings in limited overs cricket concludes in 2 different scenarios:

1. Bowlers dismiss all the 10 opponent players before the specified overs.
2. A team either bats till the end of the designated over or accomplishes the required target while chasing.

Dismissing batsmen is advantageous for the opponent team. It helps them to either defend the target or prevent the batting side from posting a high total.

Commonly, all the 3 formats- Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, follow the same rules regarding the diverse dismissals in cricket.

It would be intriguing for you to explore the different dismissals in cricket starting from the most common ones like bowled and LBW to the rarest ones like obstructing the field.

Importantly, the 11 different cricket dismissals wouldn’t be valid in case of an illegal delivery like a no-ball and a free hit.

Interestingly, only a run-out dismissal is valid even in the case of an illegal delivery.

Each type of dismissal in the sport adds a unique layer of excitement and thrilling moments among all fans. As a result, the dismissals in cricket make the contest much more gripping, providing a fair opportunity for both sides.

Most Common Dismissals in Cricket

Here are the most common ways of dismissals in cricket you might observe in every cricket match:

1. Caught:

A batsman gets caught out in every format of cricket. It has been one of the most common dismissals in cricket for many years.

When a fielder catches a ball struck by a batsman with his bat, without a single bounce on the ground, the batsman has to depart with the tag as “caught out”.

There are certain scenarios when this type of dismissal isn’t valid:

• If the fielder steps or crosses the boundary ropes while taking a catch or immediately afterward, the match umpires award six runs to a batsman

• The dismissal isn’t valid in case of an illegal delivery like No-Ball and Free Hit.

2. Bowled:

A batter gets “bowled” by failing to strike the ball that hits the stumps directly.

Also, if a ball deflects a batsman’s bat or body and hits the stumps, still he would be considered dismissed.

It is among the most unacceptable dismissals in cricket for any batsman.

3. LBW:

If a batsman misses to strike the ball with his bat and rather blocks with his legs unknowingly, the fielding team appeals to the umpire for an LBW (Leg Before Wicket).

The match umpire analyzes if the ball could have hit the stumps or not after the entire team questions in the form of a loud voice such as “Howzat”.

It is the worst nightmare for a batsman to experience such kind of unexpected dismissals in cricket.

4. Stumped:

A wicketkeeper stumps out a batsman while attempting to play big shots by stepping out of the crease and misses the ball.

A keeper behind the stumps grabs the ball instantly and hits the wicket before the batsman’s bat or body enters back into the crease.

The lack of timing and planning from a batsman leads to the common dismissals in cricket.

5. Run out: 

A fielder throws the ball at stumps when a batsman tries to grab quick runs but fails to return into the crease before the ball strikes the bails and displaces them resulting in a runout.

Similarly, a batsman at both striker and nonstriker’s end faces the risk of a run-out dismissal.

It is one of the frequent dismissals in cricket that witnesses a race between time and accuracy.

Rarest Dismissals in Cricket

In addition to the routine dismissals, a batsman departs in various ways due to his negligence or injury.

Sometimes, you might witness these 5 types of rarest dismissals in cricket matches:

1. Retired Hurt:

One of the rarest dismissals in cricket occurs on the personal choice of a batsman succumbing to severe injuries or body discomforts, leading to depart as “Retired Hurt”.

2. Handling the Ball:

If a batsman deliberately or unknowingly touches the ball with a hand rather than a bat, it leads to the strangest dismissal in cricket.

3. Hit Wicket:

If a batsman’s bat or body touches the wicket while attempting to take a run, the match umpires declare it as a “Hit Wicket”.

It is one of the most uncommon methods of dismissals in cricket, without any involvement of the bowling side.

4. Timed out:

A new batsman faces the dismissal as “Timed out”, by failing to enter the crease within two minutes, from the time of the previous wicket fall.

Recently, Angelo Mathews became the first international player to experience one of the rarest dismissals in international cricket.

Cricket fans and match officials recorded the incident during the ICC World Cup 2023 match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

5. Obstructing the field:

Deliberately stopping the ball by hand from reaching the stumps or interfering with a fielder’s effort to gather the ball results in a batsman getting dismissed.

6. Hit the ball Twice:

Purposefully hitting the ball twice with the bat rather than to defend a wicket leads a batsman to get dismissed in such rare methods.