Free Hit Explained: The No-Ball Reward in T20 and ODI Cricket, What Dismissals Are Allowed, and the Rule History
The free hit — the delivery following a no-ball in limited-overs cricket where the batsman cannot be dismissed except by run out. When the free hit rule was introduced (2007 for T20s), expanded to ODIs, how it changed batting strategy (batsmen go for big shots knowing they cannot be bowled or caught out), and the specific dismissals that ARE allowed on a free hit delivery.
The free hit is a rule in limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20Is) that awards the batting team a 'safe' delivery following a no-ball — the batsman cannot be dismissed on the following ball except by run out or handling the ball. Introduced to incentivise bowlers to stay within the crease and to reward batting teams for illegal deliveries, the free hit has transformed limited-overs cricket by creating high-scoring moments (batsmen go for maximum shots knowing they cannot be caught out).
What Triggers a Free Hit
No-ball types and free hits: (1) Front-foot no-ball (most common): the bowler's front foot lands on or behind the crease but the heel goes over the popping crease (the front crease line). ICC rules require the front foot to land with at least part of it behind the popping crease. A front-foot no-ball triggers a free hit on the next delivery; (2) High full toss: a full toss above waist height is a no-ball — the umpire signals no-ball and it triggers a free hit on the next delivery; (3) Bouncer limit: bowling more than 2 bouncers per over in ODIs or T20Is (1 bouncer limit per over in T20Is) is a no-ball — triggers a free hit; (4) Fielding restriction violation: if the fielding team has too many fielders outside the 30-yard circle (powerplay violation), the delivery is a no-ball and does trigger a free hit in some formats; (5) The run from the no-ball: 1 run is added to the batting team's total for the no-ball (the no-ball extra), PLUS any runs scored from the no-ball delivery itself. Then the following delivery is a free hit.
Free Hit Rules: What Dismissals Are Allowed
Dismissals allowed and disallowed on free hit deliveries: (1) NOT allowed (the batsman is safe): bowled (ball hitting the stumps), caught (wicketkeeper or fielder), LBW (leg before wicket), stumped (wicketkeeper removing bails), hit wicket (batsman's bat or body hits stumps). All of these dismissals on a free hit delivery are not valid — the batsman continues; (2) Allowed (the batsman CAN be dismissed): run out (a batsman can be run out on a free hit delivery — they can be caught short of the crease at either end); handling the ball (a batsman who deliberately touches the ball with their hand, not their bat, can be dismissed); obstructing the field. These remain valid on a free hit; (3) The field change: for the free hit delivery, the fielding captain CANNOT change the fielding positions from those set for the no-ball — except to accommodate for the batting team's batsmen changing (if a new batsman comes in due to a run out on the no-ball). This prevents captains from setting defensive fields for the free hit; (4) The signal: the umpire signals a free hit by raising the same arm used for calling no-ball and rotating the finger in a circle. LED scoreboards typically display 'FREE HIT' prominently to inform the crowd.
Free Hit in Tests: Does It Apply?
Free hit across formats: (1) Tests: no free hit in Test cricket. A no-ball in Test cricket adds 1 run (no-ball extra) and allows the following delivery to be replayed (the no-ball counts as an extra delivery in the over), but no free hit. The batsman can be dismissed normally on any delivery following a no-ball in Test cricket; (2) Introduction timeline: the free hit was introduced for T20 Internationals in 2007. It was extended to ODI cricket in 2015 (all ODIs played under ICC rules). It applies in all major domestic T20 leagues (IPL, BBL, CPL, PSL) and in ODI competition; (3) Domestic variations: before the ICC standardised the rule, some domestic T20 competitions had free hit rules that differed slightly (e.g., only front-foot no-balls triggered free hits, not high full toss no-balls). The current standardised ICC rules apply across all ICC events and member nation domestic competitions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a free hit in cricket?
A free hit in cricket is the delivery that follows a no-ball in limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20Is). On the free hit delivery, the batsman cannot be dismissed by being bowled, caught, LBW, stumped, or hit wicket. Only run out, handling the ball, and obstructing the field remain valid dismissals. The fielding captain cannot change fielding positions between the no-ball and the free hit. Free hits are signalled by the umpire rotating their raised arm in a circle. The free hit was introduced for T20Is in 2007 and extended to ODIs in 2015. It does not apply in Test cricket.
What happens after a no-ball in T20 cricket?
After a no-ball in T20 cricket: (1) The no-ball delivery itself is re-bowled (it does not count as one of the 6 legal deliveries in the over); (2) 1 run extra is added to the batting team's score (the no-ball extra); (3) Any runs scored off the no-ball delivery are also added (so if the batsman hits a 4 from a no-ball, it is 4 + 1 = 5 runs total); (4) The NEXT delivery is a free hit — the batsman cannot be dismissed except by run out on the free hit delivery; (5) Fielding positions cannot be changed for the free hit (same positions as the no-ball delivery). A no-ball in the last over of a T20I can therefore cost 7-8 runs — the no-ball extra (1) plus the batsman's score on the free hit (typically 4-6 runs as they target a boundary).
Can a batsman be out on a free hit in cricket?
On a free hit delivery in cricket, a batsman CAN be dismissed by run out — if they are caught short of the crease at either end while running between wickets. They can also be dismissed for handling the ball or obstructing the field. All other dismissal modes are suspended: not out bowled, not out caught, not out LBW, not out stumped, not out hit wicket. If the ball hits the stumps on a free hit and the batsman was mid-run (not in their ground), a run-out appeal can be made. The batsman cannot be simply bowled (stumps hit by the ball) on a free hit.