ABOUT TENNIS BALL CRICKET GAME

We are pleased to introduce Tennis Ball Cricket, a format similar to traditional cricket with the added advantage of being a safer and injury-free game. It is played using a lawn tennis ball and is conducted in two different formats.

1 ^st Format

In this format, each team consists of 14 players, with 9 players on the field and 5 substitutes. The playing field has an outer circle of only 25–30 meters. According to TBCFI rules, if a batsman hits the ball for a six, the batsman is declared out. The vision behind this format is to develop the batting skills required to play grounded shots rather than aerial shots. This format allows matches to be played even on small grounds.

2 ^nd Format

In the second format, each team consists of 16 players, with 11 players on the field and 5 substitutes. Sixes are allowed in this format, and the ground size ranges between 40–50 meters. Tennis Ball Cricket is highly affordable in Indian conditions, as the game can be started with equipment costing approximately ₹250 for a bat and ₹50 for a ball.

FOUNDER OF TENNIS BALL CRICKET

The founder of Tennis Ball Cricket, Late Anis Ahmad Lari, worked tirelessly to promote the game across India and abroad. Due to his dedication and hard work, Tennis Ball Cricket has become immensely popular, and today numerous large and small tournaments are organized throughout the country.

Tennis Ball Cricket can be enjoyed by both rich and poor people with the same excitement and passion as traditional cricket. It is especially suitable for rural India, as there is no need for pads, helmets, or turf wickets.

Almost every cricketer begins their journey with tennis ball cricket. Renowned Indian cricketers such as MS Dhoni and Piyush Chawla also started their cricketing careers by playing tennis ball cricket.

The game has been played for many years in countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, along with many other parts of Asia and the world.

The Tennis Ball Cricket Federation of India was established in 1980. Under the dynamic leadership of Late Anis A. Lari, Dr. B.K. Sinha (IPS), and Late N.U. Siddiqui, the federation played a significant role in gaining recognition for the sport. In 1999, the federation was officially recognized by the Ministry of Sports, Government of India. TBCFI was also included under the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) for a 5% sports quota in Central Government jobs.

Currently, the President of TBCFI is Dr. Abhinav Nath Tiwari, and the Secretary General of Tennis Ball Cricket Federation of India (TBCFI) is Imran A. Lari, also known as Monty.

TBCFI regularly organizes Sub-Junior (U-17), Junior (U-19), and Senior National Championships for both men and women, along with many other tournaments across the country.