Box Cricket Rules: The Complete Guide (Teams, Overs, Scoring)

2026-09-26 · SpotX Team

Box cricket is short-format cricket played inside a netted box on artificial turf. It is fast, it works at night under floodlights, and it needs only a handful of players — which is why it has become the most booked sport at turfs across India. There is no single official rulebook: every venue runs its own house rules. This guide lists the rules most venues use, so your group agrees on them before the first ball.

Teams and overs

• Team size: usually 6 to 8 players a side. Smaller boxes play 5 or 6.
• Overs: 5 to 8 overs an innings is common for a one-hour slot. A 6-over game with 6 a side fits comfortably in an hour.
• Bowling limit: a bowler may bowl at most 1 or 2 overs, so everyone bowls.
• Underarm or overarm: many venues allow only underarm or half-arm bowling with a tennis or rubber ball; check before you book.

How runs are scored

• Running between the wickets works as normal.
• Hitting the side or back net along the ground is typically 1 or 2 runs; hitting it on the full is often 2 to 4, depending on the venue.
• Direct hits on the back net behind the bowler may count as a boundary in some boxes.
• Hitting the roof net or the top of the box is usually out, or a dead ball — agree this in advance.

Extras

• Wide and no-ball: 1 run plus a re-bowl, as in normal cricket. Some venues give 2 runs for a no-ball.
• Free hit after a no-ball is common in tournaments.
• Byes and leg-byes are usually allowed.

Ways to get out

• Bowled, caught and run out apply as normal.
• Caught off the side net (before it touches the ground) is out at many venues — "one tip one hand" is a popular variation.
• LBW is rarely used.
• Last batter standing: some venues let the last batter bat alone, running only on even runs.

Scoring a box cricket match on your phone

For friendly games and box cricket leagues, score ball by ball on SpotX: set the overs and team size, record wides, no-balls and free hits, and share the live link with the group. Leaderboards track the top run-scorers and wicket-takers across a league.

Score your next box cricket game live. Start scoring

How to book a box cricket turf

1. Open SpotX Play and pick your city.
2. Choose Box Cricket to see turfs, with photos, amenities, prices and reviews.
3. Pick a date and a free slot, add your players and pay online.
4. You get a booking code and a confirmation email; show it at the venue.

Find a box cricket turf near you. Book a turf