10 Surprising Facts About Cricket You Probably Didn’t Know

Cricket is one of the most loved sports in the world — especially in countries like India, Australia, England, and Pakistan. But how well do you really know the game? Here are 10 surprising and fun facts about cricket that even hardcore fans might not know! 🤯 1. Cricket Was Played on Ice Once! Yes, seriously! In 1891, a match was played on a frozen lake in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Players wore ice skates instead of shoes — it was a proper match, just on ice! 🇮🇳 2. Sachin Tendulkar Played for Pakistan Before India Before becoming a legend for India, Sachin Tendulkar actually fielded for Pakistan as a substitute in a practice match in 1987. It was during an India vs Pakistan game at the Wankhede Stadium. 🎂 3. The Oldest Cricketer to Ever Play Was 66! Wilfred Rhodes, an English player, played his last Test match at the age of 52 and continued playing first-class cricket until he was 66 years old! 🏏 4. MS Dhoni Has Never Scored an IPL Century As one of the most successful captains and finishers in IPL history, you'd think Dhoni has a hundred. But nope — Dhoni has never scored a century in IPL, despite multiple fifties and match-winning knocks. 🕒 5. The Longest Cricket Match Lasted 12 Days A Test match between England and South Africa in 1939 went on for 12 days! It’s known as the “Timeless Test” and was abandoned because the English team had to catch a ship home! 🔥 6. One Ball = 286 Runs? In a freak match in 1894, 286 runs were scored from a single ball in a village game in England. The ball was hit into bushes and couldn’t be found for a long time. The batsmen just kept running! 😲 7. The First Ever Cricket World Cup Was for Women Believe it or not, the first Cricket World Cup wasn’t for men. The women’s World Cup came first in 1973, while the men’s version started in 1975. 🌍 8. There’s a Cricket Field in the Middle of a Desert The Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE is located in a desert but has hosted over 200 ODIs — more than any other stadium in the world. 🦘 9. Australia Once Dismissed a Team for Just 6 Runs In a first-class match in 1955, New South Wales dismissed Queensland for just 6 runs — it remains one of the lowest team scores ever. 🧢 10. Chris Gayle Once Hit a Six That Landed on the Roof! During a T20 match, Chris Gayle hit a six that landed on the roof of the stadium! The ball traveled over 120 meters — one of the longest in T20 history. ✅ Final Thoughts Cricket isn’t just about runs and wickets — it’s filled with history, drama, and some truly unbelievable moments. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a serious fan, these little-known facts add a new layer of love for the game. 👉 Which of these facts surprised you the most? Let me know in the comments below!