In the IPL, a team must complete 14.11 overs every hour, making sure the 20th over finishes within 90 minutes of starting the innings. Learn more about slow over rates in the IPL and international cricket.
What is Slow Over Rate
A slow over rate occurs when the bowling team does not finish their overs within the set time. The over rate refers to how many overs the fielding team bowls in one hour. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, teams should maintain an average of 15 overs per hour in Test matches, 14.28 in ODIs, and 14.11 in T20s. In ODIs, teams have 3.5 hours to bowl 50 overs, while in T20s, they must complete 20 overs in 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Penalties for Slow Over Rate in IPL
If a team does not meet these over rate standards, it is considered a slow over rate. Penalties can include fines or player suspensions, depending on the match’s governing body and the situation. In the last five overs, the fielding team must remove one fielder from outside the 30-yard circle, among other consequences.
Umpires take into account various factors when assessing the over rate, such as time lost due to player injuries, third umpire reviews, and time wasted by the batting team.
In ODIs and T20s, being up to two overs short is labeled a “Minor Over Rate Offence.” If a team is more than two overs short, it is a “Serious Over Rate Offence.” In Test matches, being up to five overs short is a “Minor Offence,” and more than five overs short is a “Serious Offence.”
In August 2023, England and Australia were fined by the ICC and lost World Test Championship points due to slow over rates during the Ashes series. England lost 19 points, while Australia lost 10 points, with each team docked one point for each over bowled less than the required number.
In December 2023, Team India was fined 10% of their match fee and lost two World Test Championship points for a slow over rate in their first Test against South Africa in Centurion.
The rules regarding slow over rates are in place to keep the game moving at a good pace, ensuring matches proceed without unnecessary delays.
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Slow Over Rate in the IPL
In the IPL 2023, many matches ran significantly over their scheduled times mainly due to slow over rates, with several games lasting over four hours. Factors like the Decision Review System (DRS) and extras bowled contributed to the slow pace.
In the IPL, teams must complete 14.11 overs per hour, ensuring that the 20th over finishes within 90 minutes of the innings’ start. This time includes two strategic time-outs of 2.5 minutes each, but does not count time for DRS reviews, umpire reviews, or player injuries.
If a team violates this rule, they lose an extra fielder outside the 30-yard circle. For a first offence, the captain is fined ₹12 lakh. The fine doubles for a second offence, and other players in the team are fined ₹6 lakh or 25% of their match fee, whichever amount is lower.
In IPL 2023, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were penalized for slow over rates in two matches. In the second offence, stand-in captain Virat Kohli was fined ₹24 lakh, and each member of the playing XI was fined ₹6 lakh or 25% of their match fee. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were also penalized for the same issue on two occasions.
Problems Created by Slow Over Rates
- Delayed Match Progression: Slow over rates cause delays in the game, affecting players, fans, and broadcast schedules.
- Impact on Team Strategies: Slow over rates can disrupt team plans, forcing captains to adjust their strategies due to time constraints.
- Effect on Bowlers: Bowlers may become tired and less effective due to extended bowling spells from slower over rates.
- Batting Team’s Momentum: A slow over rate can disadvantage the batting team, disrupting their momentum, especially during critical phases of the match.
- Negative Influence: Slow over rates without penalties can set a poor example for young cricketers, encouraging them to follow the same practices.
The Stop-Clock Rule
Last year, the ICC announced a trial of the stop clock rule for men’s ODIs and T20s for five months, starting in December 2023.
The rule aims to regulate the time taken between overs. An electronic clock will be shown on the big screen after each over, with a 60-second countdown starting to prompt the fielding team to begin the next over. If they do not comply, they may receive up to two warnings, with a third violation leading to a five-run penalty.
There are exceptions to this rule; it does not apply when a new batter comes in, during drinks breaks, or if a player is injured and requires treatment.
The ICC is still deciding whether to permanently integrate the stop clock into international cricket and whether it will be adopted by the IPL.
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