Dot Ball in cricket is a ball bowled and not scored by the batsman or not an extra. These are an essential part of cricket, as the bowlers can use them to contain and frustrate the batsman, leading to making mistakes and taking wickets.
Dot balls also help limit the batting team’s score and help conserve the bowlers’ energy. In this article, we will explore the importance of Dot ball in cricket.
What is a Dot Ball In Cricket?
Dot Ball In Cricket is a delivery bowled by a bowler in which the batsman does not score any run and is not a wide or a no-ball.
Depending on the situation, whenever batters want to play defensively or to assess a bowler, they leave the ball purposefully at times. They also miss the ball. Either way, it is termed Dot Ball.
When a bowler bowls six consecutive dot balls, without giving any run, that’s a maiden over. It is a difficult task for a bowler to achieve and is a great accomplishment.
Dot balls are essential in cricket as they restrict the scoring rate of the batting team, giving the bowling team an advantage.
What is the reason for having a dot ball?
There are many reasons a batsman can have a dot ball. We have listed the top reasons:
Missing the ball.
It is when a batsman tries to hit a ball, but misses it. The batsman fails to score runs on this occasion. It could be misjudgement or well-delivered.
Defensive approach
It is when a batsman tries to settle in, evaluate the bowler or the pitch. Many class batsmen always start their innings with a deliberate dot ball.
Impact of Dot Ball In Cricket
Dot ball in cricket is significant and plays a major role in the outcome of a match.
- They are a key defensive tool for batters and offensive tool for bowlers.
- When a bowler delivers a dot ball, it adds pressure to the batsman and forces the batsman to take risks that may lead to losing the wicket.
- Bowlers can also use the Dot ball to set up a batsman and lure them to play a false shot.
- Dot balls help conserve a bowler’s energy and enable them to bowl more overs, which can be crucial.
- Dot balls are an excellent way for bowlers to control the required run rate, if it is second innings.
Most Dot Balls in the IPL History
We tend to think that dot balls are usually delivered by the spinners. To our surprise, the bowler with the record of most dot balls is Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.
It is purely because of his swing bowling capabilities. He can swing both ways and add mystery to his bowling. Read more To learn “How to calculate Bowling Average in cricket“
Let’s have a look at the top 5 bowlers who have bowled the most dot balls in the IPL history:
| Players | Wickets | Dot Balls |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 146 | 1406 |
| Sunil Narine | 148 | 1391 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 184 | 1387 |
| Harbhajan Singh | 163 | 1268 |
| Lasith Malinga | 122 | 1155 |
The amount of dot balls can significantly impact the match’s result. It can break or make the innings. Even if it’s not always possible to dodge dot balls, a knowledgeable and proficient hitter can reduce the occurrence of dot balls.
Stay tuned to Fun88 Blog website for more updates and information about dot balls in cricket
Let’s wait and see who is going to bowl more dot balls during this year’s IPL.
People also ask:
1.What is the difference between Lost Ball and Dot Ball?
A lost ball has been bowled and cannot be found or recovered by the fielder, while the dot ball has been bowled and not scored off.
2.How to avoid Dot balls while batting?
Practice. It is the only solution. One tip that all great players in IPL follow is that ‘rotate the strike, even if it can’t be boundary.’
3.What is a Dot ball?
Dot Ball In Cricket is a legal delivery in which no runs are scored. It is one of the most common occurrences in cricket.
Related Read: Bails in Cricket | What, Why & How of Cricket Bails
