What is ‘Free Hit’ in ODIs One day international Cricket matches and T20 Twenty-Twenty cricket matches?

Sachin Tendulkar hitting the ball hard...

What is ‘Free Hit’ in ODIs One day international Cricket matches and T20 Twenty-Twenty cricket matches?

If a bowler delivers a no ball by overstepping the popping crease, it costs 1 run to his team and his next delivery will be declared as a free-hit. That means, in the next delivery, the batsman can hit the ball in any manner to score maximum runs like a boundary or a sixer.  In case of a free hit the batsman can only be dismissed through a run out, for hitting the ball twice, obstructing the field or handling the ball, as in case for a ‘no ball’. 


This rule of ‘free hit’ was first introduced in twenty20 cricket, ever since that shortest format of International cricket started. ICC introduced the rule of free-hit in one day cricket (ODI), from 1st October 2007. 


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- Harish Jharia

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