Cricket Free Hit – A Bolwer’s Worst Nightmare (Rules, Impact, and Strategy)

Published: 6 Feb 2025

A cricket free hit is one of the most thrilling moments in the game. It gives batsmen a golden chance to score freely without the fear of getting out, except in a few rare cases. This rule was introduced to make the game more exciting for the players and the fans as well. But what exactly is a free hit in cricket, and how does it impact the game?

Let’s find out….

Table of Content

What is a Free Hit in Cricket?
Free Hit in Test Cricket
When is a Free Hit Given?
Free Hit Rules in Cricket
Strategic Importance of a Free Hit
Famous Free Hit Moments in Cricket
FAQs on Free Hit in Cricket
Final Thoughts

What is a Free Hit in Cricket?

A free hit is a special rule in limited-overs cricket. When a bowler oversteps the crease and delivers a front-foot no-ball, the next delivery becomes a free hit. It’s a golden opportunity for a batter to play a short without the fear of getting out on this ball except by run-out, hitting the ball twice, or obstructing the field.

Free Hit in Test Cricket

Currently, the free hit rule does not apply in Test cricket. Since Test matches focus on skill and patience, ICC has kept the rule limited to ODIs and T20s. However, some cricket fans believe free hits should be introduced in Tests to make the game more exciting.

When is a Free Hit Given?

A free hit is awarded in the following cases:

When the bowler oversteps the crease (front-foot no-ball).
When the bowler delivers a waist-high full toss.
When the bowler breaks any bowling rule (like using the wrong arm or throwing the ball unfairly).

If the free hit delivery is also a no-ball or wide, the free hit continues till the next legal ball.

Free Hit Rules in Cricket

The batsman cannot be dismissed except by run-out, stumped out, hitting the ball twice, or obstructing the field.
Fielders cannot change positions if the striker is the same who faced the no ball and gained the free hit.
If the ball is a wide or another no-ball, the free hit carries over and one run will be added to the total score for each delivery.
The bowler must bowl a valid delivery before the free hit ends.

Strategic Importance of a Free Hit

For batsmen, a free hit is a dream opportunity. Since they can’t get out, they can open their shoulders fearlessly and take risks for big shots. Power hitters like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and AB de Villiers have used free hits to change games.

For bowlers, free hits could be a nightmare. They try to bowl yorkers or wide deliveries to reduce scoring chances. Some bowlers even bowl slow balls to trick the batsman.

Famous Free Hit Moments in Cricket

Free hits have led to some unforgettable moments in the game:

MS Dhoni vs Australia (2016) – Dhoni smashed a six on a free hit, helping India win.
AB de Villiers vs West Indies (2015) – AB hit a no-ball for a six and followed up with another six on the free hit.
Rohit Sharma vs Sri Lanka (2014) – Rohit made full use of a free hit, smashing a boundary that shifted the game.

FAQs on Free Hit in Cricket

Q1: What is a free hit in cricket?

A free hit is a delivery where the batsman cannot be dismissed (except by a run-out, stumped out, hitting the ball twice, or obstructing the field). It happens after a bowler bowls a no-ball.

Q2: When is a free hit given in cricket?

A free hit is given after a front-foot no-ball or certain waist-high no-balls.

Q3: Can a batsman get out on a free hit?

No, a batsman cannot be out except by run-out, hitting the ball twice, or obstructing the field.

Q4: What happens if a free hit is a wide or another no-ball?

The free hit continues until a legal delivery is bowled.

Q5: Can fielders change positions before a free hit?

No, fielders cannot change positions unless the striker changes.

Final Thoughts

The free hit rule has added excitement to modern cricket. It rewards the batting team while keeping bowlers on their toes.