Slow over rate rule in IPL: What is the time limit for bowling 20 overs in an IPL 2021 match?

Slow over rate rule in IPL: The Indian Premier League has put on display stricter rules ahead of the 14th season which commences today.

An over rate in cricket is generally defined as the number of overs bowled in an hour (60 minutes). In the general run of things, an over rate in the range of 13-15 is considered to be an apt one for it allows the match to move at a fast pace.

The aforementioned can vary depending on who is bowling. In simple words, an over bowled by a fast bowler takes more time than an over bowled by a spinner. It is due to the same reason that the first hour (or session in Test cricket) witnesses a lower over rate as compared to the subsequent hours.

ALSO READ: When and where to watch IPL 2021 matches?

Following this rule is necessary because a low over rate results in a lethargic style of play where a fielding captain takes immense time to set the fielding and change the bowlers. In the past, there have been a plethora of cases of captains (lately teams as well) getting fined or even suspended due to slow over rate.

Slow over rate rule in IPL 2021

As unwanted and lenient as it sounds, Indian Premier League matches going past the midnight time had become a norm for the past few years. Before IPL 2020, matches used to begin at 08:00 PM (IST) only to frequently hit the midnight-mark due to some unbelievably slow over rates.

Matches running past midnight was beginning to be a concern for the broadcaster. Hence, the start time of IPL 2020 matches was preponed by 30 minutes, i.e., 07:30 PM (IST). To further curb fielding captains regarding over rates, the authorities have reduced the mandatory time of completing an IPL innings to 90 minutes.

What is the time limit for bowling 20 overs in an IPL 2021 match?

Therefore, starting from tonight in IPL 2021, fielding captains will have to ensure that they bowl their 20 overs within a 90-minute period. Technically, the time for a fielding side to bowl 20 overs in 85 minutes as an IPL innings comprises of a couple of strategic timeouts (combined duration of five minutes).

Another drastic change which will be followed this season will be around the start of the 20th over. Previously, a captain had to begin the 20th over within the stipulated time to avoid a fine or suspension. In such a situation, a captain was allowed to take unlimited time to complete the 20th over.

It is worth mentioning that the same won’t be the case in the 14th season of the IPL as a fielding team will have to manage 20 complete overs and two strategic timeouts within a 90-minute slot. Failing to which, the captain of the fielding side will be fined heavily or subsequently suspended (for repeated offenders). Fan must note that the IPL hasn’t increased the severity of fines imposed in situation of slow over rates.

“The minimum over rate to be achieved in IPL Matches shall be 14.11 overs per hour [ignoring the time taken by time-outs]. In uninterrupted matches, this means that the 20th over should finish within 90 minutes [being 85 minutes of playing time plus 5 minutes of time-out] of the start of the innings.

“For delayed or interrupted matches where an innings is scheduled to be less than 20 overs, the maximum time of 90 minutes shall be reduced by 4 minutes 15 seconds for every over by which the innings is reduced,” the IPL had said in a statement published on its website last month.

UPDATE: Teams will suffer a fielding-related penalty from IPL 2023 onward. Click here to read more about all the new IPL 2023 rules.