If you follow Test cricket, “trail” is an important term that you must understand clearly. In this article, we will explain its meaning, rules, and conditions in detail. We will also share real match examples to help you understand the trail meaning in cricket in Hindi. Keep reading.
Table of Contents
What is the Meaning of Trail?
In red-ball or pink-ball cricket (Test cricket), the term “trail” is used to compare the first-innings scores of the two teams. It describes the run difference between the two teams after the completion of their first innings. When a team scores fewer runs than the opposition in the first innings, it is said to “trail by” the number of runs it is behind.
Trail By Meaning in Cricket
In cricket, the word “trail: or “trail by” describes the run difference between two teams after their innings. It is mostly used in Test cricket. Trail by meaning in test cricket is simple: one team is behind the other team in runs.
During a match, after both teams have played their first innings, it is pretty usual that one team will score fewer runs. That same team is said to be trailing.
For example, in the third Test between India and England, India scored 587 runs. In response, England scored 407 runs. So in that case, England was trailing by 180 runs.
What if: both teams score the same number of runs?
If both teams score the same number of runs in their respective first innings, then neither team is trailing. In Test cricket, this situation is called a tie (first innings). The same thing happened during the third Test between India and England. Batting first, England scored 387 runs. India also ended up scoring 387 runs in their first innings.
Trail Meaning in Hindi in Cricket
Here is a simple explanation for fans who want to learn the “trail meaning in cricket in Hindi:”
In cricket, “trail” ya “trail by” word ka use dono teams ke beech runs ke difference ko describe karne ke liye hota hai, jab dono teams apni innings khel chuki hoti hain. Ye zyada tar Test cricket mein use hota hai. Test cricket mein “trail by” ka meaning simple hota hai: ek team runs ke maamle mein dusri team se peeche hoti hai.
Match ke dauraan, jab dono teams apni first innings complete kar leti hain, to ye kaafi common hota hai ki ek team kam runs score karti hai. Wahi team trailing kehlati hai.
For example, India aur England ke beech khele gaye third Test mein, India ne 587 runs score kiye. Iske jawab mein, England ne 407 runs banaye. To is case mein, England 180 runs se trail kar rahi thi.
Agar dono teams same number of runs score karein, toh kya?
Agar dono teams apni respective first innings mein same number of runs score karti hain, to koi bhi team trailing nahi hoti. Test cricket mein is situation ko tie (first innings) kaha jata hai. Yehi cheez India aur England ke third Test mein hui thi. Pehle batting karte hue, England ne 387 runs score kiye. India ne bhi apni first innings mein 387 runs hi banaye.
“Trail By” in Test Matches: Rules & Conditions
The table below explains the Trail in cricket meaning with rules & conditions. Check it out:
| “Trail By” Rules | You can say that a team is trailing only if it has scored fewer runs than the opposition after the first innings. If the scores are equal, no team is trailing. |
| Format where it is used | Test matches (Both International and First Class matches) |
| When is trail decided? | After both teams complete their first innings. |
| How is the trail shown during livestream/broadcast? | Written as “Trail by X runs”. |
| Who is trailing? | The team that has scored less. |
| Who has the lead? | The team that has scored more. |
| Equal scores case | If both teams score the same runs, no team is trailing. Called scores are level or tie (first innings). |
Did You Know? “Trail by runs meaning in cricket” is similar to the “first innings lead.” Both terms describe the run difference between two teams. However, “trail” is used for the team that scores fewer runs, while “lead” is used for the team that scores more runs.
Here is an example: India scored 224 runs in their first innings, and England scored 274 runs in their first innings. So, England has a first innings lead of 50 runs, while India is trailing by 50 runs.
Trail in International Cricket vs. First Class Matches
The meaning and use of “trail” or “trail by” are the same in International Test cricket and First Class cricket. In either format, a team is said to be trailing when it scores fewer runs than the opposition after the end of the first innings. It is used to highlight the run difference between the two teams.
Meaning of Trail in Cricket Vs. “Follow On” in Cricket
We have already explained trail meaning in English in cricket. Now, let us explore something that is closely related to it: the Follow On.
Follow on is a rule in Test and First Class cricket. It comes into play when one team has a big lead after the first innings. If the opposing team is trailing by a required number of runs, the captain of the team with the lead gets the option to make the trailing team bat again.
In a Test or First Class match, the usual pattern is: if Team A bats first, then Team B bats, and after that Team A bats again, followed by Team B batting for their second innings. When the follow on is enforced, this usual pattern changes. If Team B is trailing by the required number of runs after the first innings, the captain of Team A can ask Team B to bat as soon as their first innings is over.
|
Match Type |
Match Duration | Minimum Trail Required | Who Can Enforce It |
Is It Compulsory? |
|
Test Match |
5 days |
200 runs |
Captain of the leading team |
No |
|
First Class Match |
4 days | 150 runs | Captain of the leading team | No |
|
First Class Match |
3 days |
100 runs |
Captain of the leading team |
No |
Trail Vs. Follow On: Connection
In cricket, “trail” and “follow on” are closely connected. A team must first be trailing for a “follow on” to even be possible. Simply put, trailing is the condition, and “follow on” is the option that may come from it.
In a Test match, when a team trails by more than 200 runs after the first innings, the captain of the team with the lead gets the option to enforce the follow on. If the follow on is enforced, the trailing team has to bat again immediately. And if they fail to score enough runs to match or cross the opponent’s first-innings total, the match ends in an innings defeat.
Real Life Example: South Africa scored 626/5 declared in their first innings. In reply, Zimbabwe managed only 170 runs. They were trailing by 456 runs. South Africa chose to enforce the follow on. Batting again, Zimbabwe scored 220 runs. Combining both innings, Zimbabwe scored 390 runs (170 + 220). This way, South Africa won the match by an innings and 236 runs.
Trail Vs. Follow On: Differences
| Trail | Follow On | |
| Meaning | It is a score status. It describes the scoring gap between two teams and shows that one team is behind in runs. |
It is a match condition. A rule that forces a team to bat again. |
| When it applies | After any completed innings | After first innings only |
| Is it automatic? | Yes (based on score) | No (captain’s decision) |
| Who is involved | Team with fewer runs | Team trailing by a big margin |
| Minimum requirement | Fewer runs than opponent | 200+ runs trail in a 5-day Test |
| Effect on batting order | No effect | Changes batting order |
Trail Meaning in Test Cricket Vs. Cricket Trial: Are They the Same?
Although they look similar, Trail and Trial are two different things in cricket. Trail is a term used to describe the difference between the scores of two teams after the first innings. If a team has scored 50 fewer runs, it is said that the team is trailing by 50 runs. On the other hand, trial refers to a selection process. In this process, a player’s abilities are tested or assessed. The results decide whether he will be picked by a team for a match or tournament.
Fun Fact: People often look for “trail ball meaning in cricket”, but there is no official term called trail ball in cricket. Most of the time, this confusion happens because people actually mean “trial ball.” A trial ball is an informal term. It refers to a ball bowled to test a player’s skills. This ball is not part of an official match. Its outcome does not affect a player’s statistics or records.
We have explained the trail’s meaning in English in cricket. We have also shared the meaning of the term ‘trail’ in cricket in Hindi. As a fan, we are sure your Test cricket wisdom has got better. So why don’t you use it to watch cricket like never before? Join us on Parimatch, bet on WTC 2025–27, and win.
FAQs
What is the meaning of trail in cricket?
In cricket, trail means that a team is behind the opposition in runs after completing the first innings.
What is the meaning of trail in test cricket?
Trail in cricket meaning in hindi: क्रिकेट में “ट्रेल” का मतलब होता है कि एक टीम रन के मामले में दूसरी टीम से पीछे है। जब दोनों टीमें अपनी समान पारी (innings) खेल चुकी होती हैं और एक टीम कम रन बनाती है, तो उस टीम को ट्रेल कर रही टीम कहा जाता है। यदि टीम A ने 400 रन बनाए और टीम B ने 350 रन बनाए, तो टीम B 50 रन से ट्रेल कर रही होती है।
What is the full meaning of trail?
In cricket, trail means that one side is behind the other team on the scoreboard. After both sides have completed the first innings, the side with the lower score is said to be trailing.
What is the meaning of trail in match?
The trail meaning in cricket Hindi is ek team runs ke maamle mein doosri team se peeche hai. Jab dono teams apni same innings complete kar leti hain aur ek team kam runs banati hai, to us team ko trailing kaha jata hai.
What is called a trail?
After the end of the first two innings of a test match, if the team batting first or second scores less than the other team, the term “Trail” comes into play. It will describe the score difference.
What is an example of a trail?
In the third Test between India and England, India scored 587 runs in their first innings. In reply, England scored 407 runs. Since England scored fewer runs, England was trailing by 180 runs.
How is trail calculated?
In a Test match, which consists of two teams and two innings each, trail is calculated after both teams complete the first innings. The runs scored by the batting team are compared with the other team’s innings total. If one team scores fewer runs, that batting side is said to be trailing, while the other team has a first innings lead (also called an innings lead).