Cricket is a popular bat-and-ball sport played between two teams. Each team has 11 players, and the game is usually played on an oval-shaped field. The objective is to score runs by hitting the ball and running between wickets, while the opposing team tries to dismiss the batsmen and limit the runs scored. There are different formats of the game, including Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) matches. Cricket is particularly popular in countries like India, Australia, England, Pakistan, and South Africa.

Cricket's history dates back to the 16th century in England. It evolved from games played in medieval times and gained popularity in the 18th century, with the formation of the first cricket clubs. The first recorded cricket match took place in the 17th century. The sport expanded globally during the British Empire's influence, with countries like India, Australia, and the West Indies becoming strong cricketing nations. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London played a significant role in standardizing the rules. Over time, cricket formats diversified, leading to Test matches in the 19th century and the emergence of limited-overs formats later on. The sport has grown into a major international phenomenon with various competitions, such as the Cricket World Cup and Indian Premier League (IPL).