AI in Global Cricket: The New 12th Man?

dhanush248 · Tuesday at 1:59 PM

AI in Global Cricket: The New 12th Man?

Cricket, often referred to as a game of glorious uncertainties, is evolving rapidly—not just on the field but also in the backrooms where data meets strategy. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a buzzword reserved for Silicon Valley or futuristic tech labs. It is steadily becoming the "new 12th man" in global cricket. But is AI a silent partner aiding teams, or is it on its way to becoming a game-changer that redefines how cricket is played, analyzed, and consumed?

AI’s Growing Influence in Cricket

From grassroots coaching academies to international stadiums, AI-powered tools are transforming cricket in multiple dimensions:

1.

AI algorithms crunch millions of data points—from a batter’s foot movement to a bowler’s wrist position—to offer hyper-personalized insights. Companies like Hawk-Eye, CricViz, and StanceBeam use AI-powered motion sensors and computer vision to dissect every delivery and shot.

Example: AI can predict a batsman’s likelihood of being dismissed by a particular bowler based on previous patterns. Teams use this insight to tweak lineups or assign specialist bowlers.

2.

AI models analyze biomechanical data to detect early signs of fatigue, injury risks, or incorrect postures. Wearable sensors feed real-time data to physiotherapists and coaches.

Example: Fast bowlers prone to stress fractures can be monitored for workload management, reducing long-term injuries.

3.

AI tools assist in decision-making before and during matches. Algorithms process weather conditions, pitch reports, opponent weaknesses, and even crowd behavior to recommend batting orders, bowling changes, or field placements.

Is it fair? While purists argue this takes the ‘gut feeling’ out of captaincy, proponents see it as data-driven leadership evolution.

4.

AI is also the silent engine behind enhanced viewer experiences. Automated highlight reels, ball tracking, predictive win percentages, and virtual commentary are AI-driven. AI chatbots answer fan queries, simulate matches, and even predict outcomes for fantasy leagues.

Example: During IPL or Big Bash, broadcasters show "Win Predictor" percentages that update ball by ball—powered entirely by machine learning models.

5.

AI systems analyze thousands of hours of domestic and school-level matches to identify young talent. This democratizes scouting beyond traditional cricketing powerhouses.

The Controversial Side: Is AI Making Cricket Less Human?

Data Dependency: Are captains becoming overly reliant on AI dashboards instead of trusting intuition?
Privacy Concerns: Tracking player biometrics raises ethical questions. Who owns this data—the player, the board, or the tech company?
Unequal Access: Wealthier cricket boards can afford AI-driven tools, potentially widening the gap between developed and developing cricket nations.

Future of AI in Cricket: Assist or Replace?

AI will never replace the raw passion, unpredictability, and human error that make cricket beloved. But its role as an assistant—a 12th man—is undeniable. The next frontier might be AI-powered umpiring beyond ball tracking: automated no-ball checks, stump mic voice analysis for caught behinds, or even AI adjudicating DRS decisions with zero human bias.

Imagine an AI suggesting that a batter should reverse-sweep more against a particular spinner based on micro-level pitch data collected in real time. Sounds far-fetched? It’s already happening in the labs of cricket’s top teams.

Conclusion: Embrace or Resist?

The debate isn't whether AI belongs in cricket—it already does. The question is how the cricketing world will balance tradition with technology. AI as the 12th man isn't a threat but a tool. Yet, like the best utility player, it must know when to step in—and when to step aside.

Subiksha Anand · 2025-07-02T19:18:35+0530

Tushar Yadav said:
Cricket has never stood still. From wooden bats to white-ball formats, the game has constantly evolved. But today, there’s a quieter, more subtle revolution happening—one that fans don’t always see. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now playing a growing role in how the game is played, coached, and even understood.

And no, this isn't some futuristic fantasy. It’s already influencing how teams are picked, how players train, and how injuries are prevented—across the globe, not just in India.

AI in Team Selection: More Than Just Gut Feeling
Back in 2023, during the Ashes series, England’s Women’s Cricket Team did something groundbreaking. Their coach, Jon Lewis, teamed up with a tech company called PSi to run more than 250,000 simulated match scenarios. They crunched the data—pitch conditions, weather patterns, player matchups—and used it to decide the playing XI.

The result? A smarter, more data-informed strategy that gave them a real edge against the reigning champions.
This isn’t a one-off experiment. It’s part of a bigger shift happening worldwide—where decisions that were once based on instinct are now backed by deep analysis.

Smarter Coaching with Personalized Feedback
Let’s be honest—cricket training has come a long way from “just watch the ball.” Tools like Ludimos, based in the Netherlands, are changing the way coaching works. Players simply upload videos of their practice sessions, and the AI does the rest. It identifies flaws in technique—whether it's your footwork, bowling stride, or follow-through—and gives feedback that’s specific and actionable.

One young bowler in South Africa improved his run-up and delivery within just a few weeks by using Ludimos. And he didn’t need a big coaching setup—just a smartphone and internet access.
For countries with limited resources, this kind of tech could be a game-changer.

Catching Injuries Before They Happen
Injuries are part of the game, but what if you could spot them before they happen? That’s exactly what AI is starting to do. Startups like Tweek Labs are developing smart wearables that monitor things like joint movement, fatigue levels, and heart rate in real-time.

So, if a fast bowler is showing early signs of physical stress, the system flags it—even before the player feels anything. Some teams in Australia and the UK have already started using this tech during their training camps.
In a sport with packed schedules and high injury risks, this kind of early intervention could make a massive difference.

Supporting Mental Fitness with AI
Physical fitness is important, but cricket is also a mental game. That’s where platforms like GoCricit come in. They analyze things like sleep patterns, stress levels, and even mood, helping coaches design personalized mental wellness routines.

One franchise team in a domestic league used GoCricit to track a top batter’s performance metrics. Before a crucial match, the data showed irregular sleep and high stress. A small adjustment to his pre-game routine was all it took—he went on to play a match-winning knock.
This kind of support helps bring structure to an area that’s often overlooked in sports: mental readiness.

Final Thoughts
AI isn’t replacing cricket’s human side—it’s enhancing it. It’s becoming the quiet support system that helps teams prepare smarter, train better, and stay healthier. At the highest levels, it’s no longer just about raw talent. It’s about informed preparation, backed by intelligent systems.

So here's a question worth asking:
Should we start thinking of AI not just as a tool, but as a true part of the team in modern cricket?

This right here is the future of cricket unfolding before our eyes—not with the drama of a last-ball six or a magical delivery, but with quiet, calculated precision powered by Artificial Intelligence. And let’s be clear: AI isn’t here to replace passion, instinct, or flair—it’s here to enhance them, like a brilliant non-striker who supports without stealing the spotlight.

What we’re witnessing is the dawn of Cricket 4.0—where stats meet smarts, and tradition embraces transformation.

Let’s start with what used to be pure cricketing intuition—the playing XI. Traditionally, team selection relied heavily on gut feeling, reputation, and “matchups.” But what England Women’s team did during the 2023 Ashes was nothing short of revolutionary. Running 250,000 simulations using AI to refine team selection? That’s not science fiction—it’s data-informed cricket logic.

It’s no longer about just picking your “best” players—it’s about picking the right players for the right match conditions. Imagine an Indian team preparing for a spinning track in Chennai: with AI, you can instantly simulate hundreds of scenarios to see which combination thrives under those specific micro-conditions.

This doesn’t replace selectors—it augments their decision-making. Think of it as giving your cricketing brain a supercharged assistant.

Coaching, too, has evolved. Gone are the days when advice was limited to “keep your elbow up” or “watch the ball.” With tools like Ludimos, players can upload training videos and receive personalized, frame-by-frame technical breakdowns—without even stepping into a coaching camp.

That’s huge, especially for grassroots cricket and for countries with limited infrastructure. A bowler in a remote village in Kenya can now get coaching-grade feedback using just a smartphone. This isn’t just innovation—it’s democratization of cricket knowledge.

And as more players get access to personalized, AI-driven coaching, the talent pool globally will only deepen.

Cricket, especially formats like T20 and Tests back-to-back, is brutal on the body. Fast bowlers often push their physical limits, leading to stress fractures and long recovery spells. But AI-powered wearables by companies like Tweek Labs are already stepping in.

By tracking biomechanics, heart rate, and fatigue patterns in real-time, AI can flag subtle signals of pre-injury strain—before the athlete even feels it. Imagine if this existed during the early days of Jasprit Bumrah’s back issues or Hardik Pandya’s workload stress. We could’ve prevented months of recovery time and extended peak careers.

This is sports medicine meeting predictive analytics, and it’s a match made in cricketing heaven.

Cricket isn’t just about bat and ball—it’s about mind games, nerves, and self-belief. That’s where platforms like GoCricit come in. By analyzing mood shifts, sleep patterns, and stress levels, these systems are enabling customized mental health support.

That one batter whose sleep was off before a big game? Most coaches would’ve missed that detail. But AI didn’t. And by tweaking his routine, he was match-ready—and match-winning.

This isn't surveillance—it's sensitive support, reminding us that a strong mind is as vital as a strong cover drive.

Let’s not kid ourselves—AI is no longer a silent observer. It’s already part of cricket’s dressing rooms, backrooms, and strategy tables. It’s the invisible eleventh player, the unsung coach, the tireless analyst.

The question now isn’t whether AI should be part of the team. The question is: how can we make it an even better teammate?

Should national boards invest more in tech literacy for coaches and players?
Should junior academies get early access to AI-driven training tools?
Should AI dashboards become a standard part of pre-match briefings?

Yes. Yes. And absolutely yes.

finney85858 · 2025-07-02T19:48:18+0530

Title: How AI Is Quietly Revolutionizing Modern Cricket

Cricket has always evolved with the times—from timeless Test matches to the adrenaline of T20s, from red leather balls to pink ones under lights. But today, a quieter revolution is underway—one that’s not visible to fans in the stands or viewers at home. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a game-changer in how cricket is played, coached, and understood. And it’s not science fiction—it’s already here.

AI in Team Selection: Beyond Gut Instinct

Traditionally, team selection relied heavily on experience, intuition, and recent form. But in 2023, England’s Women’s Cricket Team took a bold step forward. Coach Jon Lewis collaborated with a tech firm called PSi to simulate over 250,000 match scenarios. These simulations factored in pitch conditions, weather, player matchups, and more to determine the optimal playing XI.

The result? A data-driven strategy that gave them a competitive edge against top-tier opponents. This wasn’t just a one-off experiment—it marked a shift toward analytical precision in decision-making. Around the world, teams are now blending human insight with machine intelligence to make smarter, more informed calls.

Coaching Gets Smarter with Personalized AI Feedback

Gone are the days when coaching advice was limited to “watch the ball” or “keep your elbow up.” Platforms like Ludimos, based in the Netherlands, are transforming how players train. Cricketers can upload videos of their practice sessions, and the AI analyzes everything—from footwork and bowling stride to follow-through—offering specific, actionable feedback.

One young bowler in South Africa reportedly improved his delivery mechanics within weeks using just a smartphone and Ludimos. For nations with limited access to elite coaching infrastructure, this kind of technology could be a game-changer, democratizing high-performance training.

Preventing Injuries Before They Happen

Injuries are an unfortunate reality in cricket, especially for fast bowlers and all-rounders. But what if we could predict them before they occur? Startups like Tweek Labs are developing smart wearables that monitor joint movement, fatigue, and heart rate in real time. These devices can flag early signs of physical stress—sometimes before the player even feels discomfort.

Teams in Australia and the UK have already begun integrating this tech into their training regimens. In a sport with grueling schedules and high physical demands, early intervention could be the difference between a match-winning spell and months on the sidelines.

Supporting Mental Fitness with AI

Cricket is as much a mental game as it is physical. That’s where platforms like GoCricit come in. By analyzing sleep patterns, stress levels, and mood, they help coaches design personalized mental wellness routines for players.

In one case, a domestic league franchise used GoCricit to monitor a key batter’s mental state. Before a crucial match, the data revealed poor sleep and elevated stress. A small tweak to his pre-game routine helped him reset—and he went on to deliver a match-winning performance. This kind of insight brings structure to an area that’s often overlooked: mental readiness.

Final Thoughts: Is AI the 12th Man?

AI isn’t replacing cricket’s human side—it’s enhancing it. It’s becoming the invisible support system that helps teams prepare smarter, train better, and stay healthier. At the elite level, success is no longer just about raw talent—it’s about intelligent preparation, powered by data.

So here’s the real question: Should we start thinking of AI not just as a tool, but as a true part of the team?

AI in Global Cricket: The New 12th Man?

AI in Team Selection: More Than Just Gut Feeling

Smarter Coaching with Personalized Feedback

Catching Injuries Before They Happen

Supporting Mental Fitness with AI

Final Thoughts

dhanush248

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