A beginner's guide to cricket

New Delhi: As a youngster growing up in India cricket is the only game that many Indians would have played. It is only and only cricket in India. Despite hockey being the national game of India, cricket is more like the de facto national game. Playing this sport is like having a complete body workout without going to the gym.Here we will try to give you some important tips and techniques about cricket which will be very helpful to any cricketer and begginers.All you need is a cricket kit and a pitch to play. If you are totally a beginner, than please don't use a cricket ball. Use tennis ball for it.1. Wear a full kitIt is important to wear a whole cricket kit when you are going to play with an original cricket ball.If you are going to play it with tennis ball, than it is okay. One important thing for beginners is, you must wear a elbow-guard in your left hand if you are right handed batsman. And wice-versa for left handed batsman.2. Take a stanceWhen you go to the crease and stands in some position. This standing position is called “STANCE”. The perfect stance is described below.Distance between your two legs must be equal to distance between your two shoulders. If that distance is more than ideal than you will not get good foot work, which is most important thing.If that distance is less than ideal than, during your footwork you will not be able to stay steady. One important thing is, your both legs must be in line with your guard. 3. Taking a guardWhen you go to the crease, you will have to take stance ahead of any stump. It means you will put your legs with line of any single stump like middle, middle-leg or leg.These all are one type of guards. Each guard has there own benefits and cons. It is recommended taking leg-guard. Because in leg-guard when bowler bowls you will get in the line due to your footwork.So, you will be able to cover all your stumps.4. GripThe ideal grip is to handle a bat from very few distance from base of the handle.Take a okay grip on both hands.Your bat's face must be pointing towards mid-on.That is an ideal.5. Shot selectionYou must have to select a shot to play on every ball you play. But it is suggested to play defensive shots only during your practice.Because of it, you will get the ball at middle of the bat, which is most important thing.After you feel comfortable with taking ball at middle of the bat, you must go with straight bat shots like straight-drive, cover-drive, on-drive, etc. Than you will try to play cross-bat shots like pull-shot, hook-shot, cut-shot,etc. After it you will try to play aggressive shots like Dhoni's helicopter shot.These all are the important things for beginners.But again cricket is a game. You will have to play as you feel comfortable with it.