Memorize these values thoroughly.
| Sport | Number of Players (Per Team, on Field/Court at one time) | Notes / Variations / Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket | 11 | Playing XI: 11 players. Each team bats and fields. Substitutes can be used for fielding but not for batting or bowling (except for concussion substitutes in specific formats). |
| Football (Soccer) | 11 | Playing XI: 11 players (including one goalkeeper). Minimum 7 players required to start/continue a match in official competitions. Up to 5 substitutes allowed in most professional matches. |
| Field Hockey | 11 | Playing XI: 11 players (including one goalkeeper). Substitutions are rolling, meaning players can enter and exit the field multiple times. |
| Basketball | 5 | Playing Team: 5 players on the court at a time. A standard roster typically includes 12-15 players. |
| Volleyball | 6 | Playing Team: 6 players on the court at a time. Players rotate positions. |
| Kabaddi | 7 | Playing Team: 7 players on the mat at a time. 3-5 substitute players are also part of the squad. |
| Baseball | 9 | Playing Team: 9 players in the field (defensive team) at a time. The batting team sends one player at a time to bat. |
| Kho Kho | 9 | Playing Team: 9 players on the field from the chasing team. The defending team sends 3 players at a time into the chasing area. Total squad size is 12 players. |
| Water Polo | 7 | Playing Team: 7 players in the water (6 outfield players + 1 goalkeeper). |
| Polo | 4 | Playing Team: 4 players per team on horseback. |
| Netball | 7 | Playing Team: 7 players. |
| Rugby Union | 15 | Playing Team: 15 players. |
| Rugby League | 13 | Playing Team: 13 players. (Important to note the distinction from Rugby Union). |
| American Football | 11 | Playing Team: 11 players (on offense or defense at any given time). Teams have large rosters, with specialized units for offense, defense, and special teams. |
| Badminton | Singles: 1, Doubles: 2 | Singles: One player vs. one player. Doubles: Two players per side. (Mixed Doubles also has 2 players per side, one male, one female). |
| Table Tennis | Singles: 1, Doubles: 2 | Singles: One player vs. one player. Doubles: Two players per side. (Mixed Doubles also has 2 players per side). |
| Tennis | Singles: 1, Doubles: 2 | Singles: One player vs. one player. Doubles: Two players per side. (Mixed Doubles also has 2 players per side). |
| Squash | 1 or 2 | Singles: 1 player. Doubles: 2 players (though doubles is less common competitively). |
| Chess | 2 | Players: Always two players. |
| Carrom | 2 or 4 | Players: Can be played as singles (2 players) or doubles (4 players, 2 per side). For exams, assume 4 if “team” is implied, or be ready for context-specific questions. |
| Snooker/Billiards | 1 | Players: Typically 1 player at a time. In some formats (e.g., doubles exhibition), 2 players per side might alternate shots, but the core game is individual. For exams, assume 1. |
| Lacrosse | 10 (Men’s Outdoor), 12 (Women’s Outdoor), 6 (Box) | Outdoor: Men’s outdoor has 10 players, women’s outdoor has 12. Box Lacrosse: 6 players (indoor version). Clarify type if asked. For general competitive exams, 10 (Men’s Outdoor) is the most commonly asked, or specify the type. |
| Handball | 7 | Playing Team: 7 players (6 outfield players + 1 goalkeeper). |
| Futsal | 5 | Playing Team: 5 players (including 1 goalkeeper). A variant of football played on a hard court, smaller pitch. |
| Ice Hockey | 6 | Playing Team: 6 players (5 skaters + 1 goaltender). |
| Curling | 4 | Playing Team: 4 players on a team. |
| Bridge (Card Game) | 4 | Players: 4 players (two partnerships). While not a physical sport, it’s often covered in “games” sections. |