Gilli-danda
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gilli "गिल्ली" -danda "डण्डा" or Gulli-Danda is an amateur sport, similar to cricket, that is popular among youth in the Indian subcontinent. It is known as Viti-Dandu in Marathi.
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[edit] Rules
The objective of the sport is to use the danda (used like a baseball bat) to strike the gilli (similar to striking a ball in cricket or baseball). This is done by inserting the gilli in to a hole in the ground, either orthogonally, or at an angle. The danda is then swung and strikes the gilli (similar to a golf swing).
[edit] Scoring and Outs
There are many variations to the scoring varying with region.
Typically, the gilli becomes airborne after it is struck. If a fielder from the opposing team catches the gilli, the striker is out. If the gilli lands on the ground, the fielder closest to the gilli has one chance to hit the danda (which has to be placed on top of the hole used) with a throw (similar to a run out in cricket). If the fielder is successful, the striker is out, if not, the striker scores one score and gets another opportunity to strike. The team (or individual) with the most points wins the game. If the striker fails to hit gilli in three tries, the striker is out (similar to a strikeout in baseball).
[edit] Equipment
Gilli-danda has no official requirements for equipment. Traditionally, the danda is a stick (30 to 45 centimeters) in length, while the gilli is a smaller stick with conical ends (similar to a cricket bail).
[edit] Teams
There is no official limit on the number of players in gilli-danda or the number of teams. Gilli-danda can be played where each individual plays for themselves, or between two teams.
[edit] Variations
As an amateur youth sport, gilli-danda has many variations. A common variation is where the striker is allowed to hit the gilli twice, once initially, and then while the gilli is in the air.
In some versions, the points a striker scores is dependent on the distance the gilli falls from the striking point. The distance is measured in terms of the length of the danda, or in some cases the length of the gilli.
In the Philippines, a game known as syatong is similar to gilli-danda.
[edit] Trivia
The game played a role in the plot of the popular Bollywood movie Lagaan.
