Cricket Batting Gloves: Inner vs Outer Gloves — Complete Guide 2026

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Last updated: March 2026 — Prices verified from Amazon India. All assessments based on hands-on testing and community feedback.

Walk into any cricket dressing room before a match and you will see batters doing something that confuses newer players: pulling on a thin glove before putting on their outer batting glove. These are inner gloves — and they are one of the most overlooked pieces of cricket equipment in the Indian market.

Most club cricketers in India own outer batting gloves but have never tried inner gloves. Many do not know they exist. Yet at the professional level, virtually every international cricketer uses them — and once you understand what they do, the reason becomes obvious.

This guide covers everything you need to know about both types of batting gloves: what they do, how they differ, which brands make the best ones, and how to pair them correctly for maximum comfort, grip, and protection.

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What Are Inner Gloves?

Inner gloves are thin, form-fitting gloves worn underneath the outer batting gloves. They are made from lightweight, moisture-wicking materials — typically a cotton-lycra blend, polyester mesh, or thin neoprene — and cover the fingers and palm without adding significant bulk.

Inner gloves serve four primary purposes:

1. Sweat absorption: The outer batting glove (made of leather and synthetic padding) absorbs and retains sweat. Inner gloves absorb moisture before it reaches the outer glove, keeping the outer glove drier and extending its life.

2. Grip enhancement: When hands are sweaty, the grip inside outer gloves becomes slippery. Inner gloves maintain grip friction between the hand and the glove interior, giving the batter more control over the bat handle.

3. Blister prevention: The friction between bare skin and the interior of outer gloves can cause blisters, particularly on the little finger and ring finger of the top hand. Inner gloves create a smooth interface that eliminates this friction point.

4. Hygiene: Inner gloves are easily washable and prevent the buildup of bacteria and odour inside outer gloves, which are much harder to clean thoroughly.

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What Are Outer Batting Gloves?

Outer batting gloves are the standard protective gloves worn by all batters in leather ball cricket. They consist of:

• A leather palm and finger covering
• High-density foam padding on the back of the fingers and hand
• A padded thumb section (often with articulated protection)
• A velcro or buckle fastening at the wrist

Outer gloves are regulated equipment in competitive cricket. For matches governed by BCCI, ICC, or any recognised cricket body, batters must wear gloves that cover the hand and wrist area. The primary function of outer gloves is protection — absorbing the impact of fast bowling that strikes the hands and fingers.

The quality and design of outer gloves varies significantly. Budget outer gloves (₹500–₹1,500) typically use basic foam padding and synthetic leather. Premium outer gloves (₹1,500–₹4,000+) use multi-density foam, genuine leather palms, articulated finger protection, and breathable mesh backing.

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Head-to-Head Comparison Table

Feature	Inner Gloves	Outer Batting Gloves
Primary Function	Sweat absorption, grip, blister prevention	Protection from fast bowling
Material	Cotton-lycra, polyester mesh, neoprene	Leather palm, foam padding, synthetic back
Thickness	Very thin (1–3 mm)	Thick (20–40 mm padding)
Regulation Requirement	Not required (optional)	Required for leather ball cricket
Washability	Easily machine washable	Spot clean only; difficult
Lifespan	1–2 seasons	1–3 seasons depending on use
Price Range	₹200–₹800	₹500–₹4,000+
Used by Professionals	Almost universally yes	Always
Impact Protection	None	Significant

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Do You Need Inner Gloves? The Honest Answer

For professional and serious club cricketers: yes, inner gloves are genuinely useful and worth the investment.

Here is the real-world impact inner gloves make during a long innings:

• After 40–50 minutes at the crease, most batters' hands are noticeably sweaty inside their outer gloves. Without inner gloves, this sweat pools on the palm and inside the fingers of the outer glove, making the grip on the bat handle less secure. With inner gloves, the moisture is absorbed and the grip feels more consistent throughout the innings.

• The blister problem is very real for new batters or batters returning after a break. The friction point at the little finger of the top hand (left hand for a right-hander) is where blisters most commonly form. Inner gloves eliminate this friction point entirely.

• Inner gloves extend the usable life of outer gloves by keeping the interior significantly drier. Wet outer gloves deteriorate faster — the foam compresses unevenly and the leather cracks.

For casual or gully cricketers: Inner gloves are optional. If you play occasionally and invest ₹600–₹1,000 in outer gloves, inner gloves are a nice-to-have but not essential. The most important protective investment at this level is good outer gloves.

For junior cricketers: Inner gloves can be very beneficial. Children's hands sweat as much as adults', and the blister problem can discourage young players from batting through a full innings. A pair of ₹200–₹300 inner gloves can make batting significantly more comfortable for a school player.

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Best Inner Gloves Brands in India

Shrey

Shrey is an Indian brand that has become one of the most respected cricket equipment makers in the country, particularly known for helmets and gloves. Their inner gloves are widely considered the best in the Indian market.

• Shrey Batting Inner Gloves — ₹300–₹600. Made from a premium cotton-lycra blend with targeted cushioning at the palm. Excellent moisture wicking, good durability. Check on Amazon India
• Shrey Pro Guard Inner Gloves — ₹500–₹800. The premium option. Additional padding at the knuckle area, superior moisture management. Excellent for players who bat for extended periods.

Why Shrey inner gloves are the top pick: The fit is true to size (a common problem with cheaper inner gloves is that they are cut too large and bunch up inside the outer gloves), the moisture wicking is excellent, and they hold their shape after washing.

SG

SG's inner gloves are reliable and competitively priced, consistent with the brand's broader philosophy of quality at reasonable prices.

• SG Inner Batting Gloves — ₹250–₹500. Thin polyester blend, good grip texture at the palm, comfortable fit. Check on Amazon India
• SG Pro Batting Inners — ₹400–₹700. Slightly better material, additional thumb cushioning.

SG inner gloves are particularly well-fitted for players who already use SG outer gloves — the sizing is consistent across the range.

SS

SS produces budget-friendly inner gloves that offer reasonable performance for the price.

• SS Batting Inner Gloves — ₹200–₹400. Entry-level inner gloves. Adequate moisture absorption, basic construction. Good for casual use. Check on Amazon India
• SS Ton Pro Inner Gloves — ₹350–₹600. Step up in material quality. Better fit around the fingers.

The main limitation of SS inner gloves is that some models run slightly large, which can cause bunching inside outer gloves — try before buying or check the specific size chart.

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Best Outer Batting Gloves Under Different Budgets

See also: Best Cricket Gloves Under ₹1,500 for a detailed breakdown of outer glove recommendations.

Under ₹800

• SG Club Batting Gloves — ₹500–₹700. Basic foam padding, good protection for club and school cricket. Check on Amazon India
• SS Ton Club — ₹500–₹700. Comparable to SG Club. Adequate protection for light use.

₹800–₹1,500

• SG Litevate Batting Gloves — ₹800–₹1,200. Better padding density, improved leather palm, good for regular club use. Check on Amazon India
• Shrey Match Batting Gloves — ₹1,000–₹1,500. Excellent mid-range gloves. Articulated finger protection, good airflow. One of the best at this price. Check on Amazon India

₹1,500–₹3,000

• SG Test Batting Gloves — ₹1,500–₹2,500. Premium padding, genuine leather palm, excellent protection. Suitable for district-level and above. Check on Amazon India
• Shrey Pro Guard Batting Gloves — ₹2,000–₹3,000. Professional-level protection, outstanding craftsmanship. The inner chamois lining makes them exceptionally comfortable even without inner gloves.

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How to Pair Inner and Outer Gloves Correctly

Getting the pairing right is important. Here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Size your inner gloves first. Inner gloves should fit snugly with no loose material between the fingers. They should cover all fingers to the fingertip and reach the wrist. If you have to stretch them to fit, go up a size; if there is significant bunching, go down.

Step 2: Put on the inner gloves before the outer gloves. This sounds obvious, but some players try to adjust inner gloves after putting on outer gloves — which is difficult. Put inner gloves on first, smooth them out, and ensure no bunching or folding, particularly at the finger joints.

Step 3: Size your outer gloves with inner gloves already on. If you are buying new outer gloves, try them on with your inner gloves already in place. Inner gloves add a small amount of bulk, and outer gloves that fit perfectly on a bare hand may be slightly tight with inners. If in doubt, go half a size up in outer gloves.

Step 4: Fasten the outer gloves over the inner gloves. The wrist fastening of the outer gloves should secure over the wrist area of the inner gloves, keeping both in position during play.

Step 5: Adjust regularly between overs. During play, the inner and outer gloves can shift slightly. Use the time between overs to straighten the inner gloves if needed — this is something you will see professional cricketers doing at the non-striker's end.

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Washing and Maintenance

Inner gloves:

• Machine washable on a gentle/cold cycle
• Air dry rather than tumble dry (heat damages lycra and elastane)
• Wash after every 2–3 sessions, or after any session where you sweat heavily
• Replace when the material thins significantly or loses elasticity (typically every season)

Outer gloves:

• Spot clean with a damp cloth after each use
• Allow to air thoroughly after play — never pack wet outer gloves in a bag
• Treat leather palms with leather conditioner occasionally to prevent cracking
• Replace when padding compression is noticeably reduced or when the leather palm is cracked

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Price Guide Summary

Type	Budget Option	Mid-Range	Premium
Inner Gloves	SS Batting Inners (₹200–₹350)	SG Pro Batting Inners (₹400–₹600)	Shrey Pro Guard Inners (₹500–₹800)
Outer Gloves	SG Club (₹500–₹700)	Shrey Match (₹1,000–₹1,500)	SG Test / Shrey Pro Guard (₹1,500–₹3,000)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do professional cricketers all use inner gloves? A: The vast majority of professional cricketers at international and first-class level use inner gloves. They are essentially standard equipment at that level, used for sweat management, grip consistency, and blister prevention during long innings. You will see most batters adjusting their inner gloves at the non-striker's end between overs.

Q: Can I use inner gloves without outer gloves for casual practice? A: Inner gloves alone offer no meaningful protection against a leather ball. They should never be used as a substitute for outer batting gloves in any form of leather ball practice or play. For very casual practice with a soft rubber or tennis ball, inner gloves alone are not a safety issue — but they will wear out faster without the protective outer layer.

Q: How often should I replace my inner gloves? A: Inner gloves typically last one to two seasons with regular use and washing. Replace them when: the material thins significantly, they lose elasticity and start slipping inside outer gloves, or they no longer absorb moisture effectively. At ₹200–₹500 per pair, they are inexpensive enough to replace every season as routine.

Q: My hands are very small / very large. Do inner gloves come in different sizes? A: Most brands offer inner gloves in Small, Medium, and Large (adult) sizes, with some also offering Junior/Youth sizes. Shrey and SG have the most consistent sizing. SS inner gloves run slightly large. When in doubt, measure your hand circumference across the palm (excluding the thumb) and refer to the specific brand's size chart.

Q: Are there inner gloves specifically designed for keeping wickets? A: Yes — wicketkeeping inner gloves exist and are designed slightly differently to batting inners, with reinforced palm areas and specifically designed finger positioning. However, many wicketkeepers simply use standard batting inner gloves. The most important distinction is comfort and fit — wicketkeeping inners should not bunch up inside the keeping gloves during quick glove movements.