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Season 23 · Official Rulebook
Game Rules.

Everything you need to know to play, umpire, and compete in the ATB Cricket League. All rules are final — umpires have authority on field.

20
League Games
5
Franchises
55
Players
35+
Awards
Powerplay Rules Bowling Limits Replacement Policy Opportunity Pool Umpiring Standards Penalty Rules Super Over Awards Powerplay Rules Bowling Limits Replacement Policy Opportunity Pool Umpiring Standards Penalty Rules Super Over Awards
S23
Season 23
Organizers
🎙️

The dedicated team keeping Season 23 running — from scheduling and finances to kits, streaming, and on-ground logistics.

KV
Kavi
Season Lead
S23 Organizer
BH
Bhuvan
Season Lead
S23 Organizer
PT
Pintu T
Operations
S23 Organizer
SH
Shashi
Kits & Awards
S23 Organizer
AJ
Ajay
Finance & Schedule
S23 Organizer
01
Field Restrictions
Powerplay
🏏
Bowling Powerplay — First 4 Overs
Fielding restrictions apply to the first 4 overs of each innings. Only 2 fielders are permitted outside the 30-yard circle during this period.
Batting Powerplay — 2 Overs, Captain's Choice
The batting team may take a 2-over batting powerplay at any point during the innings. Only 3 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle during the batting powerplay.
⚡ Default Trigger
If the batting team has not taken their powerplay by the 18th over, the umpires must automatically default the 19th and 20th overs to the batting powerplay. This is mandatory — umpires must call it.
Non-Powerplay Fielding
Outside powerplay overs, a maximum of 5 fielders are permitted outside the 30-yard circle at any time.
Powerplay Type
Fielders Outside 30-yard Circle
Bowling PP First 4 Overs
Max 2 fielders
Batting PP 2 Overs, Anytime
Max 3 fielders
Standard Non-Powerplay
Max 5 fielders
02
Over Limits
Bowling Rules
🎳
🔴 7-Bowler Mandate — Absolute Rule
The captain must use at least 7 different bowlers in every match — including reduced-over games. This rule ensures equal bowling opportunities for all players and cannot be waived.
Over Limits Per Bowler (20-Over Match)
Max OversNo. of Bowlers Allowed
4 oversMaximum of 2 bowlers
3 oversMaximum of 3 bowlers
RemainingMust be covered by additional bowlers
Late Player Substitute Fielding
A substitute fielder for a late-arriving player can only field for the first 4 overs and cannot bowl. After 4 overs, the bowling team must play with 10 men.
New Batsman on Strike
The new batsman takes strike for ALL dismissals — except run-outs.
No-Balls & Free-Hits
All No-balls result in a Free-Hit — no exceptions. No-ball always takes precedence over a Wide if both occur simultaneously.
Beamer Escalation
If a bowler bowls 2 over-the-shoulder beamers in a single over, they cannot complete that over (but may continue the next over).

If this happens twice in the same match (4 beamers total), umpires take the final decision on whether the bowler is removed from the game.
LBW Catch Rule
If the ball hits the batsman's legs first (regardless of whether it then hits the bat) and is caught — the batsman is NOT OUT. It is a dead ball; no runs can be taken.
03
Schedule & Pacing
Match Timing
⏱️
Standard 20-Over Game Format
Each match follows this schedule. Run rate target: 6 overs every 30 minutes.
7:00 PM
1st Innings
Start
8:40 PM
1st Innings
End (1hr 40min)
8:40–8:45
Break
5 Minutes
8:45 PM
2nd Innings
Start
10:25 PM
Match End
(1hr 40min)
Toss Timing
Toss is scheduled 15 minutes before match time. If a team does not have 8 players at toss time, the toss is awarded to the opposing team (if they have 8+). If both teams are short, the umpire proceeds regardless.
CricHeroes Update
The captain must add any replacement player upfront on the CricHeroes team before play begins.
⚠️ Late Start — Staircase of Penalties

Every 5 minutes after 7:15 PM, 1 over is lost from each side. The 7-bowler mandate still applies even in reduced-over matches.

7:00 PM
20 Overs
On Time
7:15 PM
19 Overs
7 Bowlers Required
7:20 PM
18 Overs
7 Bowlers Required
7:25 PM
17 Overs
7 Bowlers Required
+5 min
-1 Over
Continues…
04
Player Availability
Replacements
🔄
Replacement Selection Procedure
1
Player Unavailable
Captain contacts the Replacement Player Pool directly — own pool or any lower pool. No organizer involvement needed at this stage.
↓
✓
Pool Player Available
Captain selects the player, then informs organizers AND opposing captain of the replacement details.
↓ if none available
✗
Select from Non-Playing Team
Captain may select from a non-playing team, subject to the 6-match fair usage limit.
⛔ Fair Usage Limit — Non-Playing Teams
Teams are limited to a maximum of 6 times picking replacements from non-playing teams during the league stage. Once this limit is reached, all subsequent replacements must come from the Replacement Player Pool only.
Same Pool Limit (Downgrade Rule)
A player receives a same-pool replacement for their first two replacement games of the season. From the 3rd replacement game onward, they must select from the downgraded pool using a random generator.
Player Appearance Limit
A replacement pool player is limited to a maximum of 2 appearances per team throughout the league games.
Recycling Rule (Main Pool Only)
A replacement player cannot repeat until all other non-playing players in the pool have been used once. After that, the pool resets for recycling.
Sequence Contact Rule
Captains must contact replacement players in the exact sequence provided by organizers (a list of 3 players).

Penalty: Deviating from this sequence, if confirmed, may result in a 1-point deduction.

Sequence Reset: If players 1 and 2 in the sequence have already played and player 3 is unavailable, the sequence resets to the player with the fewest replacement games played that season.
Tie-Breaker
If two captains request the same replacement player, a toss decides. The losing captain must run the random generator for the remaining players in that pool.
Opportunity Pool Replacements
Replacements for Opportunity Pool players are randomly allocated and are not counted as like-for-like — there is no downgraded pool for this category.
CricHeroes Mandate
Captains must add replacement players upfront on the CricHeroes team before play begins.
🏆
Playoffs Exception — Eliminators & Finals
The 6-match non-playing team limit is lifted entirely for Eliminators and Finals. Standard replacement pool rules do not apply. However, if a team needs 2 or more replacements, only 1 can be like-for-like — all others must come from the downgraded pool.
05
Inclusion Rule
Opportunity Pool
🎯
⚠️ Penalty Cliff
Opportunity Player Must Bat Before Wicket 6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7-7
8-7
9-7
10-7
■ Safe ■ Deadline (Wicket 6) ■ -7 run penalty per wicket

The opposing captain must actively claim the 7-run penalty from the umpires — it is not automatically applied.

Mandatory Batting Rule
One player from the Opportunity Pool on each team must bat before the 6th wicket falls. The batting captain is solely responsible for sending that player out in time.
7-Run Penalty
If the Opportunity Player has not batted by the time the 6th wicket falls, a 7-run penalty is imposed for each subsequent wicket (6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th). It is the opposing captain's responsibility to claim this penalty from the umpires.
Pool Allocation
The Opportunity Pool is allocated entirely at random by organizers. There is no like-for-like skill mapping and no downgraded pool — it is a closed loop.
06
On-Field Authority
Umpiring Rules
👨‍⚖️
Assignment
Main umpire and leg umpire assignments are made by the organizers. Once assigned, it is the player's responsibility to umpire or swap with another player from their own team.
🚨 MANKADING RULE
Mankading is OUT — No Warnings
Mankading is OUT without any warning. However, if the bowler steps out of the crease before delivery, it is NOT out. The final call rests with the umpire.
No-Ball Precedence
If both a No-ball and a Wide occur on the same delivery, No-ball always takes precedence over a Wide.
Conflict Resolution
At a conflict, both umpires must discuss and reach a common decision. The Main Umpire cannot overrule the Leg Umpire, and vice versa, once a decision has been given. Players must respect the umpire's call.
No Video Reviews
Umpires must rely entirely on their instinct — video reviews are not permitted under any circumstances.
Post-Game Kit Responsibility
After the game, one umpire takes the kit bag and one takes the scorecard. Please charge the power bank if you take the kit.
07
Penalties & Conduct
Other Rules
📋
Retired Out Rule
If any player (other than the designated Opportunity Player) retires during the innings, it is considered Retired Out. They may return to bat only as the last (10th) wicket, provided the innings is still in progress.
Substitute & By-Runner Rules
No substitutes are allowed unless a player is injured on the field during the game and both playing captains agree. An on-field replacement for an injured bowler cannot bowl. The team must adjust and use 6 bowlers to complete the remaining overs.
Jerseys & Fair Play
Players must wear their team jersey based on home or away status. Captains are responsible for informing their players. This rule is directly tied to the Fair Play award calculation. Post-game RCA (Root Cause Analysis) may result in a player being limited from the next game for rule violations.
08
Responsibilities
Team Duties
🤝
🏠 Home Team
  • Set up the field — stumps, crease, wide lines, inner circle, boundaries
  • Boundaries are final once set for the first game on that ground — they cannot be changed for the current or subsequent games at that venue
  • Delegate ground setup tasks to team members before match time
✈️ Away Team
  • Set up Live Streaming — provide 1 dedicated volunteer
  • Provide drinks, snacks, and ice cubes (on game day — especially in summer)
🤝 Shared & Umpires
  • Scoring: 2 volunteers per team
  • Clean-up after game — both teams' responsibility
  • Kits: Each club manages their own kit bag and refills
  • Umpires: Take scorecard and common bats home post-game. Charge power bank if taking kit.
09
Weather & External Factors
Match Abandonment
🌧️
1 Point Each — Early Abandonment
If a match is abandoned before it starts, or after it has begun but before 50% of the overs/target in the 2nd innings have been completed (due to weather, ground conditions, or lighting), both teams are awarded 1 point each.
DLS Method — Other Scenarios
In any other interruption scenario, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method will be applied. The match will not be rescheduled; DLS will not be bypassed under any circumstances.
Umpire Authority
Umpires have final authority on abandonment decisions. They may consult organizers if additional guidance is needed.
Eliminators & Finals
Eliminators and Finals may be rescheduled based on ground availability — unlike league matches.
10
Tie-Breaker
Super Over
⚡
Super Over Conditions
If the match ends in a tie and there is at least 25 minutes of ground time remaining (15 mins game time + 10 mins grace), both teams may play a Super Over.
Less Than 25 Minutes Remaining
If there is insufficient time for a Super Over, 1 point is awarded to each team. Umpires take the final call in agreement with both captains.
11
Recognition
Awards
🏆
Player of the Match
A Player of the Match award is given at the end of each game. The winning captain selects the recipient. This award is independent of CricHeroes ratings.
Fair Play Award
Teams must follow jersey rules (home/away) and adhere to the code of conduct. Violations tracked through post-game RCA may affect a team's Fair Play standing and award eligibility.