Box Cricket Rules Explained — Complete Beginner's Guide
Box cricket is the fastest-growing indoor sport in India. If you've never played, here's your complete guide to the rules, formats, and tips to win your first match.
Box cricket is not just a smaller version of cricket. It is a separate format with its own rules and strategy. Played in an enclosed court with boundary walls, it fits a full cricket experience into 45–60 minutes.
The basic format
A standard box cricket game is played between two teams of 6 players each, and each team bats for 5–6 overs. The enclosed court means every shot is in play — there is no six-and-out. The walls are part of the playing area.
- ✓Teams: 6 players per side (8-a-side also available)
- ✓Overs: 5–6 per innings, depending on the format
- ✓Ball: tennis ball or soft cricket ball (leather ball on request)
- ✓Court: fully enclosed, boundary walls in play
- ✓Wickets: standard 3-stump set-up
Scoring and boundaries
Runs are scored the same way as in regular cricket. Many box cricket courts mark the walls with boundary zones — hitting the upper section scores a six, the lower section scores a four, and a clean hit into the net ceiling is a six. Check the exact rules at your venue before the game. Dismissals follow standard cricket rules, with an umpire or self-umpiring.
How to get out in box cricket
Dismissals follow standard cricket: bowled, caught, run out, LBW and stumped are all valid. In the 6-a-side format, each batsman usually faces a maximum of 2 overs before retiring, so everyone in the team gets a bat.
🏏 Common rule
Many venues retire a batsman at a set score (often around 25 in 6-a-side) so the game stays fair for everyone. Confirm the retirement rule with your venue before you start.
Booking box cricket at Play Matrix
Games are available in 1-hour blocks, in both 6-a-side and 8-a-side formats. Corporate packages with umpires and scoring are available on request. WhatsApp us to check availability — weekends fill up fast.
Ready to play at Play Matrix?
Open every day, 5:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Padmanabhanagar, South Bangalore.
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Coaches and sports enthusiasts at Padmanabhanagar, South Bangalore. Updated: January 2026.