What is LBW in Cricket and It’s Rule?

LBW Meaning- LBW in Cricket is when the batter is out because the ball hits their body (usually the leg) instead of the bat, and it would have hit the stumps. The full form of LBW is called Leg Before Wicket.

LBW is given if:

1. The ball is pitched in line with the stumps or outside off-stump.
2. It hits the batter’s body without touching the bat.
3. It was going on to hit the stumps.

If all conditions are met, and there’s no bat involved — OUT LBW!

This is perfect pitched. Visual Explanations of LBW in Cricket.

But, What is Umpire’s Call Then?

It applies only when the on-field decision is being reviewed due to either side has taken DRS (Decision Review System). If the evidence is not 100% conclusive, the third umpire sticks with the on-field umpire’s call.

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Umpire’s Call Scenarios in LBW Rule:

1. Ball Tracking – Hitting the Stumps:
   • If less than 50% of the ball is predicted to hit the stumps (either off, middle, or leg), it’s considered Umpire’s Call.
2. Impact Point with the Pad:
   • If the ball hits the pad just marginally in line or marginally outside off-stump, it may be judged as Umpire’s Call.
3. Ball Pitching:
   • If the ball pitches marginally on the line or outside off/leg, it may be Umpire’s Call.

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Example:

• On-field Decision: Not Out
• DRS shows: Ball is clipping the top of leg stump (only 30% of the ball)
• Result: Not Out stands (because it’s Umpire’s Call)

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Key Takeaway:

Umpire’s Call ensures benefit of the doubt stays with the on-field umpire in close LBW decisions.

Visual Explanations

1. Scenario 1 where Original Decision is given- Not Out
2. Scenario 2 where Original Decision is given- Out

Umpire’s Call in Close Scenario in Virat Kohli Dismissal in Border Gavaskar Trophy Series, Ind vs Aus 2023. Virat Kohli’s LBW dismissal during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy sparked controversy, highlighting the complexities of the LBW rule in cricket.

“Virat Kohli’s LBW Dismissal – Original Decision: Out. The evidence was not 100% conclusive, as the ball appeared to hit both the bat and pad simultaneously. The third umpire left the final decision to the on-field umpire, whose original call was ‘Out.’ Therefore, the final decision stood as ‘Out.’ Had the on-field umpire originally given ‘Not Out,’ Virat Kohli would have remained not out.”

“As per law 36.2.2 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, it says “In assessing point 36.1.3, if the ball makes contact with the striker’s person and bat simultaneously, this shall be considered as the ball having first touched the bat.”

In LBW Rule (Leg Before Wicket Rule) decisions, “impact” and “pitching” are two crucial factors the umpire or DRS system checks before giving a batter out:

🔹 Pitching

Refers to where the ball bounces before hitting the batter’s pad.

LBW is possible if the ball pitches:

• In line with the stumps, or
• Outside off-stump (as long as the batter is not offering a shot)

LBW is not given if the ball pitches outside leg-stump, regardless of impact or trajectory.

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🔹 Impact

Refers to the location on the batter’s pad or body where the ball makes contact in relation to the stumps.

LBW is possible if the impact is:

• In line with the stumps, or
• Outside off-stump (only if the batter is not playing a shot)

LBW is not given if the impact is outside off-stump and the batter attempts a shot.

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Quick Example: LBW Rule

• Ball pitches outside leg → Not out, always.
• Ball pitches in line, impacts in line, and is hitting stumps → Out.
• Ball pitches outside off, impacts outside off, but batter plays a shot → Not out.