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What Is Follow-On In Test Cricket? Decoding India Vs Bangladesh Match Scenario

Jasprit Bumrah- (X.com)Jasprit Bumrah- (X.com)

In the ongoing first Test match between India and Bangladesh at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India are all over the visitors, as Najmul Shanto-led side are embarrassing themselves. After tea on day 2, Bangladesh are 112/8. 

The Tigers trail by 264 runs, and the internet is buzzing with the possibility of India enforcing a follow-on. But what is the follow on rule in cricket that has been there since it's inception? In this article, let's decode what is follow-on. 

What is follow on in Test Cricket

Follow-on is an optional rule in cricket, where a side that has a lead of over 200 runs after the end of the first innings can ask the team that batted second to bat again. This complex rule is easier to understand with an example. 

Suppose Team A, batting first, puts 500 runs on the board and in reply, Team A gets bowled out for just 200 runs then the captain of Team A can ask Team B to bat again to restrict them to a much lower score and win the match with an innings in hand. 

Follow on rules in cricket

However, there are a few rules set for follow-on to be enforced in cricket. After the end of the first innings of both teams, the side that batted first must have a lead of over 200 runs to enforce the follow-on. If their lead is slightly less than the set figure, the team that batted first have to bat again. 

India vs Bangladesh Follow-On In Chennai

In the ongoing match between India and Bangladesh, the Rohit Sharma-led side, batting first, put 376 runs on the board. In reply, Bangladesh are 130/8 at the time of writing this article. 

The Tigers trail by 246 runs and are looking to add 46 more runs to their total to avoid the follow-On. 

MCC Laws For Follow-On In Test Cricket

14.1.1 In a two-innings match of 5 days or more, the side that bats first and leads by at least 200 runs shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings.

14.1.2 The same option shall be available in two-inning matches of shorter duration with the minimum leads as follows:

- 150 runs in a match of 3 or 4 days;

- 100 runs in a 2-day match;

- 75 runs in a 1-day match.

14.2 Notification

A captain shall notify the opposing captain and the umpires of his/her intention to take up this option. Once notified, the decision cannot be changed.