Lighter ball to smaller circle: Differences between men's and women's cricket rules explained

Lighter ball to smaller circle: Differences between men's and women's cricket rules explained Newspoint | 2026-01-09 21:39:34

New Delhi: Mumbai Indians (MI) will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match of the Women’s Premier League 2026 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Friday, January 9. The first 11 games of the WPL 2026 will be played in Navi Mumbai, and the last 11, including the Eliminator and the final, in Vadodara.

For the first time since the inaugural season, the WPL will have double-headers, and both of them are set to be played in Navi Mumbai. The first double header of the tournament will be played on January 10, while the second to be played on January 17.

The first match of the double-header will start at 3:30 PM IST, and the second will begin at 7:30 PM IST. Jemimah Rodrigues will lead the Delhi Capitals squad in the 2026 edition. She replaced Meg Lanning, who will captain UP Warriorz (UPW).

RCB all-rounder Ellyse Perry and DC’s Annabel Sutherland withdrew from the tournament due to personal reasons. RCB replaced Perry with Sayali Satghare, while DC have signed Australia spinner Alana King. Here are a few differences between men’s and women’s cricket rules.

Difference Between the Ball in Men’s and Women’s Cricket

A lighter ball is used in women’s cricket compared to the men’s cricket. A ball used in women’s matches typically weighs between 140 and 151 grams, while the ball used in men’s games usually weighs between 155 and 165 grams. However, the size of the ball remains the same for both.

Smaller inner circle in Women’s Cricket

The inner circle in women’s matches is smaller than in men’s cricket. According to ICC rules, the inner circle in women’s cricket has a radius of 23 metres, while it is 27.43 metres in men’s cricket. This change in the size of the inner circle has been made to account for differences in strength.

Differences between the bats of Male and Female cricketers

There is a massive difference between the bats used by male and female cricketers. Men’s bats typically weigh from 1134 g to 1360 g, while the bats used by women’s cricketers are slightly lighter, weighing from 1049 g to 1190 g.

Men’s bats generally have longer and thicker handles, and the circumference of the handle in men’s bats ranges from 36 to 38 mm, while the circumference of the handle in women’s bats ranges from 34 to 36 mm.