Hand Cricket is a free online version of the finger counting cricket game that many of us played at school. It runs in your browser with no download or sign up, works on phones and computers, and keeps working offline once the page has loaded. Win the toss, then bat and bowl against the computer.
Inspired by: Hand cricket, the finger number game played by school children across India.
How to play Hand Cricket
- Pick One wicket for the classic sudden death game, or Three wickets for a longer match.
- Call odd or even and show a number from 1 to 6. If the total matches your call, you win the toss.
- The toss winner chooses to bat or bowl first.
- Each ball, you and the computer show a number from 1 to 6 together. Thumb up counts as 6.
- If the numbers match, the batter is out. If not, the batter scores the number they showed.
- The second team chases the target. Beat it to win. Finish on the same score for a tie.
Controls
- Keyboard: Keys 1 to 6 show your number. O or E calls odd or even. B chooses to bat and W chooses to bowl.
- Mouse: Click the number buttons and the toss buttons.
- Touch screen: Tap the number buttons and the toss buttons.
Tips to score higher
- Try not to repeat the same number too often. The computer notices what you like.
- When you bowl, pick the number the batter has been showing a lot.
- When chasing a small target, take your time. One wicket can end the game.
- Big numbers score more but can be risky if the computer likes them too.
- In three wickets mode you can take a few risks early.
The story behind Hand Cricket
Hand cricket is a playground game with no inventor, passed from one batch of children to the next. Two players call odd or even, show fingers at the same time, and add up runs ball by ball. It is played in schools across India and neighbouring countries, often during free periods, on the back bench or on the bus home. It needs no bat, no ball and no ground, just two hands and a friend with a good poker face. If you grew up in the 90s or 2000s, you probably still remember the rule about the thumb counting as six.
Questions players ask
Is Hand Cricket free to play?
Yes. It is free with no sign up and no download.
How does the toss work?
You call odd or even and you both show a number. If the total matches your call, you win the toss and choose to bat or bowl.
How does a player get out?
The batter is out when both players show the same number on a ball.
What does thumb up mean?
A thumb up with a closed fist counts as 6.
Can I play offline?
Yes. Load the page once and you can play without internet.