Free Hit in Cricket: Rules Explained (ODI and T20I)

A free hit is the delivery that comes right after a no ball in ODIs and T20Is. On a free hit the batter cannot be bowled, caught, stumped or given LBW. They can only be out in the few ways that are also possible off a no ball. Here is how the rule works under the current ICC playing conditions.

Free hit rules at a glance

When is it given?	On the delivery after any no ball (front foot, height, or any other type)
Which formats?	ODIs and T20Is. Test cricket has no free hit.
How can the batter be out?	Only run out, hit the ball twice, or obstructing the field
Can the field change?	No, except when the striker changes or to fix a fielding-restriction breach
Wide or no ball on the free hit?	The next delivery is also a free hit
Penalty for the no ball	1 run, plus the ball must be bowled again

1. When a free hit is awarded

Clause 21.19 of the ICC men’s ODI and T20I playing conditions says the delivery after a no ball “of all modes” is a free hit for whichever batter faces it. It does not matter why the no ball was called. A front-foot overstep, a full toss above waist height and a bouncer above head height all lead to a free hit.

2. How a batter can be dismissed on a free hit

The striker can only be dismissed in the ways that apply to a no ball. Under clause 21.18 those are:

• Run out – either batter can be run out while taking a run.
• Hit the ball twice – deliberately striking the ball a second time.
• Obstructing the field – wilfully blocking a fielder.

Bowled, caught, LBW and stumped do not count on a free hit. This still applies if the umpire calls the free hit itself a wide.

3. Fielders cannot change positions

For a free hit, the fielding side may not move fielders or swap players between positions (clause 21.19.3). There are two exceptions. If the batters change ends, so a different striker faces the free hit, the captain may reset the field. And if the field breaks a fielding restriction, it may be changed only as much as needed to fix that.

4. When the free hit is a wide or another no ball

If the free hit delivery is called a wide or a no ball, it does not count as a legal ball. The next delivery is then a free hit again. A bowler can therefore give away several free hits in a row.

5. Ball hits the stumps on a free hit

The batter is not out if a free hit hits the stumps. Since June 2023, any runs the batters take after the ball hits the stumps on a free hit count as runs scored. The ICC announced this change in May 2023, and it first applied at the Lord’s Test between England and Ireland.

6. What the no ball itself costs

Clause 21.15 gives one penalty run to the batting side as soon as the umpire calls no ball. Any runs scored off that delivery are added on top, and the bowler has to bowl the ball again. With the free hit that follows, a single no ball can be very costly in a close T20 game.

Quick questions

Can you be caught on a free hit?

No. A catch does not dismiss the batter on a free hit.

Is there a free hit in Test cricket?

No. Free hits are part of the ICC playing conditions for ODIs and T20Is only.

Can the batter be run out on a free hit?

Yes. Run out, hit the ball twice and obstructing the field all still apply.

What happens if the free hit is a wide?

The wide counts as an extra and the next ball is a free hit again.

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Sources: ICC men’s T20I and ODI playing conditions, clause 21 (No ball); Wisden, 15 May 2023; Outlook India. Last checked: 16 October 2026.