Cricket is one of the most popular sport in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, England and West Indies. There are three variants of the game in international cricket that is being played today. They are Test matches, One Dayer and the latest version Twenty20 or in short T20.

Although considered as a gentleman's game cricket has its share of controversies like betting, sledging, tampering the ball, accusations of racism etc., apart from umpiring errors and dismissals of batsmen. Of course it has its own funny moments too.

Whatever the game's version, there are more than ten ways a batsman could get out.

1. Caught: When the batsman hits the ball and a fielder catches it before it hits the ground he is given out.

Exceptions: If the fielder steps over the boundary to catch the ball, or steps out of the boundary line immediately after catching the ball, it is declared a six. Also, if the batsman is caught on a no ball, he is given not out.

2. Bowled: When the ball hits the wickets either because the batsman misses it or because it is deflected off his bat or body, he is given out.

Exceptions: No ball

3. Stumped: A batsman is given out when he steps out of the crease to either to hit or defend a ball, misses it, and the wicket keeper catches it and removes the bails of the wicket before the batsman or his bat re-enters the crease.

Exceptions: No ball

4. Hit wicket: The batsman breaks the wicket with his bat or with any other part of his body or equipment. This is called Hit Wicket and the batsman is given out.

Exceptions: Wide or No ball

5.Leg Before Wicket (LBW): When the batsman misses the ball, but blocks it with his legs so it doesn't hit the wicket, a batsman could be given out when the fielding side appeals 'Howzzat!?'. The decision is given if the ball would have hit the wicket when the legs had not come in the way.

Exceptions: No ball or If the ball hit the bat before the legs of the batsman

6. Run out: When the batsman is trying to take a run, and the fielder hits the wicket before the batsman or his bat is inside his crease he is given out. Also, if the non-striker steps out of his crease before the bowler has bowled, the bowler may simply lift the bails off the wicket and the non-striker is deemed run-out. This is, however, considered unfair play.

7. Handling the ball: When the batsman handles the ball without the permission of the fielding side or when he uses his hands to stop the ball from hitting the wicket he is given out.

Exceptions: Non-deliberate attempt to touch the ball, e.g. being hit on the hand with the ball.

8. Hit the ball twice: If the batsman hits the ball a second time, hard, with the purpose of scoring a run he is given out.

Exceptions: The batsman hits the ball the second time to prevent it from hitting his wicket.

9. Timed out: If one batsman is out, and the second batsman doesn't appear on the field to bat within 2 minutes, he is timed out.

10. Obstructing the field: When the batsman deliberately comes in the way or tries to prevent a fielder from reaching the ball, so he can complete a run.

Exception: The batsman is allowed to run between the fielder and the wicket, but cannot make any deliberate action to divert the fielder or the ball.

Apart from these, a batsman could be given out for showing dissent to an umpire's decision and for offensive behaviour on the field, which usually do not happen!

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What Is A No Ball?

A bowler must bowl the ball with his foot behind a crease, called the popping crease. If his front foot is outside the crease, it is a no-ball.

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Here is some of the most weirdest dismissals of a batsman in the history of world cricket. There are many more but this compilation includes, arguably, the top ten. Enjoy!