Fair play makes the game.

No cheating. The result is final.

The whole point of CricFair is removing arguments. The shuffle, toss and team split are random and verifiable. If you re-roll until you 'like' it, you've broken the contract everyone agreed to before the first ball.

Zero abusive language on or off the pitch.

Slurs and personal attacks ruin the game faster than any bad shot. Younger players, neighbours and passers-by are watching, so keep the language clean and cricket stays welcome in your gully.

Respect every player, every age, every level.

Beginners turn into match-winners only if they're not mocked into quitting. Pass the ball, give them the strike, coach gently. The strongest team is the one whose weakest player is improving.

Don't take losses personally. It's a game.

A dropped catch or a golden duck is not who you are. Carrying that weight into the next match (or the dinner table) is what turns a hobby into a problem. Reset and play the next ball.

No fights. Walk away from heated moments.

One punch can end friendships, careers and matches. If a moment gets tense, step back, drink water, let the umpire decide. The game restarts in 30 seconds; a fight lasts years.

Discipline first: punctuality, focus, calm.

Showing up on time respects everyone else's Sunday morning. Staying focused at deep midwicket respects your teammates' bowling. Discipline is the cheapest skill in cricket and the most underrated.

Support your teammates and lift the weakest player.

Clap for the single, not just the six. Encourage the bowler after the bad over. Cricket is long, and momentum is built by the team that picks each other up between balls.

Behave well in public spaces. Be ambassadors.

Most gully matches are played on borrowed ground: a society lane, a school yard, a maidan. Don't damage cars, don't litter, apologise when the ball hits a window. The next match depends on it.

Warm up properly: joints, shoulders, hamstrings.

Cold muscles tear easily. Five minutes of light jog, arm circles and leg swings before the first ball prevents the pulled hamstring that ends your season.

Stretch before and after the match.

Static stretching after the game (not before) helps flexibility and reduces next-day soreness. Pre-match should be dynamic: movements, not holds.

Hydrate often, especially in the heat.

Indian summers and humid evenings drain you faster than you notice. Sip water every over. Add a pinch of salt or ORS if you're sweating heavily; cramps in the field are entirely preventable.

Avoid heavy meals 1 to 2 hours before playing.

A full stomach steals blood from your muscles and slows your reactions. Eat light (fruit, a sandwich, dahi-rice) and save the biryani for after the match.

Use proper equipment: pads, guards, shoes.

Tennis-ball cricket is forgiving; leather-ball cricket is not. Always wear an abdominal guard for hard-ball matches, and use shoes with grip; a slip on concrete can break a wrist.

Stay aware of surroundings: traffic, walls, kids.

Gully cricket happens in shared spaces. Pause for cars, watch for toddlers behind the bowler, don't field with your back to a busy road. Awareness is part of the skill.

Stop immediately if you feel pain or dizzy.

Pushing through a sharp pain turns a 2-day strain into a 6-week injury. Dizziness in the sun is an early sign of heatstroke; sit in the shade, drink water, don't be the hero.

Carry basic first aid for cuts and sprains.

A small kit with antiseptic, bandages, an ice spray and a crepe bandage saves a Sunday morning. Most gully injuries are minor, but only if treated in the first ten minutes.