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T20 cricket has a long-standing issue with teams failing to wrap up their innings in the stipulated time. This was especially evident in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, where many matches exceeded the allotted time. As a result, several captains faced penalties for their team's slow over rate. The slow over-rate rule was introduced to keep matches on track as violations lead to sanctions against the fielding team. Heading into the 17th season of the IPL, slow-over rate will certainly be the biggest headache for captains once again.
Curious about the IPL's slow over-rate rules? This quick explainer has you covered.
What does the slow over rule say?
In the IPL, bowling teams have a specific timeframe to complete their overs: 90 minutes (or 1.5 hours). This includes the two allotted strategic timeouts, each lasting 2.5 minutes. However, there's a catch! Reviews by the umpires or players (DRS) and any time lost due to player injuries are not counted within those 90 minutes.
First Offense: Captain Takes the Hit
If a team falls behind the over-rate for the first time in a season, only the captain faces the music. They'll be fined a hefty Rs 12 lakh. That's why, earlier this season, Faf du Plessis was the sole RCB player penalized for their slow bowling against LSG.
Second Offense: It Gets Serious
If a team repeats the slow over-rate offense within the same season, things get tougher. The captain's fine doubles to a whopping Rs 24 lakh, as Virat Kohli experienced recently when RCB was penalized against RR. But they're not alone! This time, the rest of the team (including the impact substitute) also feels the pinch. Each player gets fined the lower amount between Rs 6 lakh and 25% of their individual match fee.
Third Offense: Captain Out and Fined Heavily
If a team commits a slow over-rate offense for the third time in a season, the consequences become significant. The captain gets a double whammy: a hefty fine of Rs 30 lakh and a one-match suspension. This harsh penalty emphasizes the importance of maintaining a good bowling rate in the IPL.
Same Punishment, Different Offenses
The penalties for the team (excluding the captain) remain the same for any offense after the second, either Rs 12 lakh or 25% of their match fee (whichever is lower).
No Escaping the Ban
Thinking a captain swap can avoid a suspension? Think again! The penalties still apply to the original captain unless the BCCI is officially informed in writing about a permanent change in leadership. This ensures captains can't avoid responsibility by temporarily handing over duties.
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