What is Power Play in Cricket? Complete Guide

Powerplay is a special set of rules in cricket, applied to specific overs, with fielding restrictions, allowing the batsmen to score more freely. It implies that, for the first 10 overs of an ODI match and the first 6 overs of a T20 match, only two fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle during the powerplay. In a Test Match, there are no rules about power plays.

This write-up of Fun88 will provide insights into how cricket power play works.

What is Power Play?

In the world of cricket, the Powerplay takes centre stage, especially in fast-paced formats like One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 (T20) matches. Think of it as a game-changer that unfolds within the initial 10 overs of an ODI innings, setting the tone for the entire match. This phase introduces fielding restrictions, allowing just two fielders outside the 30-yard circle.

How Does a Power Play Work?

Powerplay, meaning in cricket, refers to a designated set of overs in an ODI or T20 innings where specific fielding restrictions are applied. Peculiar regulations apply to various categories of cricket matches. However, the regulations governing the powerplay have changed over the years.

Hence, individuals often find themselves confused by the regulations governing the powerplay. So, first, let’s comprehend the fundamental guidelines.

Cricket Powerplay Rules in ODI Matches

The Following are the Latest Rules Concerning a Powerplay in ODI Matches as per the ICC:

• Compulsory cricket powerplay rules (First 10 overs): A maximum of 2 fielders can be positioned outside the 30-yard circle during the 1st ten overs of an ODI match.
• From the 11 to 40th over: During the said overs, a maximum of 4 fielders can stay positioned outside the 30-yard circle.
• In the last 10 overs or over 41 to 50: In the said overs, only a maximum of 5 fielders are allowed to be positioned outside the 30-yard circle.

Powerplay Rules in T20 Matches

The Following Rules Govern Powerplay in T20 Matches:

• Overs 1 to 6: In the said overs, a maximum of 2 fielders can be positioned outside the 30-yard circle.
• Overs 6 to 20: A maximum of 5 fielders can be positioned beyond the 30-yard circle during the said overs.
• Leg side rule: Throughout the match, the powerplay permits a maximum of 5 fielders to be positioned on the leg side at any given point.

Also Read: Who is the God of Cricket?

Field Restrictions in Cricket Powerplay

ODI cricket has witnessed significant changes, including the evolution of powerplay regulations. The term “Powerplay” was likely coined around 2005. However, the fielding limits during the initial overs of the 50-over innings were implemented in the 1970s. The limits were first implemented, particularly during the World Series Cricket in Australia in 1980-81. 

• In the past, during the first 15 overs of the innings, only two fielders were permitted to be positioned outside the circle. 
• During the remaining overs of the innings (16-50), five fielders were permitted to be positioned beyond the 30-yard circle.

In 2005, the powerplay was divided into three segments of 10-5-5 overs, with the final two of five overs allocated to the bowling team. Frequently, the fielding teams extended the cricket power play beyond the first 10 overs, resulting in a 20-over powerplay period with just two fielders positioned beyond the 30-yard circle. 

To address this problem, the ICC allocated one of the five-over power plays to the batting side. However, often, the teams opted for powerplay during the last overs, resulting in a significant increase in the number of runs scored in the last five overs, dramatically altering the game’s dynamics. Therefore, in October 2011, the International Cricket Council (ICC) implemented further modifications to the regulations, requiring both the bowling and batting sides to use their five-over powerplay period between overs 16 and 40. 

Therefore, the first 10 overs of the compulsory powerplay remained unchanged, with the bowling team mostly exerting control during the 16-20 over period, while the batting team primarily exerted control during the 36-40 over period. If neither team chooses to take their powerplay, the power plays will automatically become active by the rules. Additionally, after 5th over, only four fielders were allowed to be placed outside the 30-yard circle.

What is Batting Powerplay?

The batting powerplay was introduced in 2008. It conferred an additional advantage to the batting side, allowing them to choose a set of five overs during an innings where fielding restrictions will be imposed on the bowling team.

The rule was implemented to give the batting side an edge over the fielding team. This adjustment motivated the batters to accumulate more runs at various match stages. However, issues soon started arising with the batting powerplay. Many batting teams used their power play during the 46 to 50 overs, also called the death overs. This strategy resulted in batting teams losing wickets rapidly in the later stages of matches, leading to predictable and less thrilling phases throughout the games. 

To address the issue, the ICC modified the regulations again, making it mandatory to use the batting powerplay by the 36th over. This adjustment aimed to discourage late aggressive tactics used by all batting sides. However, in 2015, the batting powerplay was discarded and replaced by a mandatory powerplay.

Also Read: Most Runs by a Team in ODI World Cup

Highest Powerplay Score in World Cup by Individual Player

The following table illustrates the players who successfully took maximum advantage of cricket powerplay in the ODI:

A New Zealand batsman, Martin Guptill, holds the record for the most runs scored in an ODI powerplay. On December 28, 2015, during a match against Sri Lanka in Christchurch, he scored an impressive 93 runs. The New Zealand team performed very well in the first 10 overs, scoring 118 runs. He had hit 8 sixes and 9 boundaries, scoring 93 runs off 30 deliveries with an astonishing strike rate of 310.

Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Kusal Perera, and Alex Hales have achieved the highest individual scores in a cricket ODI powerplay, with 77 runs, 77 runs, 68 runs, and 66 runs, respectively.

Conclusion

In one-day cricket, the power play rules have greatly changed in the last fifty years. It is now one of the most important rules in modern one-day cricket. Even though the ICC wants to make cricket more fun, teams have changed how they play on the pitch by developing unique match strategies and tactics during powerplay overs, which can change how the match ends. Because of this, the cricket powerplay is likely one of the most important rules in limited-overs cricket. From its start in 2005, the powerplay has caused problems for the ICC. However, it is likely to remain an important rule in ODI and T20 cricket in the future. But in later years, more changes can be made to make things fair for both batting and bowling teams. Thus, cricket betting gets more exciting as you observe changes in the powerplay rules. So, learn about the powerplay using the mentioned rules and place your bets smartly via Fun88.