Gilli Danda

Gilli Danda is very similar to cricket. Unlike modern games, any number of players or teams can play this game. That’s precisely the difference between most western and local games. We play unconstrained, unleashed. However, it is preferred that you have only two teams to avoid brawls and unnecessary fights.Gilli-Danda is played with two wooden sticks. A Gilli is a small stick with a length of around 3 inches. A Danda is a two feet long stick that is tapered at the ends, which serves as a bat. The sticks can be home made or can be made with the help of a carpenter. The game is generally played in the streets or any open spaces and a ground is not a necessity.

During team games, players are split into two teams. The team that wins the toss will choose either to bat first or field first. A circle of around four metre diameter is drawn on the ground and an oval shaped hole is dug in the Centre of the circle. The 3 inch long Gilli is placed across the hole. Another variation, is placing the gilli in between two stones. The striker then uses the Danda to lob the Gilli up in the air, and then strikes the gilli while it’s in the air.  If a fielder catches the gilli, the striker is ruled out. Should it fall safely, then the distance between the Gilli and the Centre of the circle is measured using the Danda. The length of Danda is equal to one run. So the striker scores as many runs as the number of times it takes to cover the distance with the Danda. A striker is out if he misses to hit the Gilli in three successive attempts. In certain parts of India, the points  are doubled if the striker succeeds in hitting the Gilli in two consecutive attempts.The first innings continues till all strikers get out and the second innings begins with the chase.