What is the new ICC rule on T20I powerplay duration?
The use of saliva remains banned, and if a team is found deliberately applying it, umpires will not replace the ball. Instead, five penalty runs will be awarded to the batting side
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has updated the playing conditions for T20 Internationals, specifically focusing on powerplay overs in shortened matches. Instead of using rounded-off figures, the new regulation specifies exact powerplay durations based on the number of overs in an innings. For example, an eight-over innings will now have a 2.2-over powerplay, with only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle during this phase. This move introduces greater accuracy and consistency in reduced-overs games.
Under the revised rules, powerplay lengths will now vary more precisely depending on innings length. In a six-over match, the powerplay would be no more than 1.5 overs of powerplay, in a seven-over innings, 2.1 overs would be the amount of powerplay, and in a nine-over game would have 2.4 overs of powerplay. These amendments illustrate the ICC's desire to improve fairness and structure in rain-affected or heavily shortened T20I matches, and to help achieve a balance between bat and ball under shorter matches.
Number of Powerplay overs as per new rule:
5 overs: 1.3 overs | 6 overs: 1.5 overs | 7 overs: 2.1 overs |
8 overs: 2.2 overs | 9 overs: 2.4 overs |10 overs: 3.0 overs |
11 overs: 3.2 overs |12 overs: 3.4 overs | 13 overs: 3.5 overs |
14 overs: 4.1 overs |15 overs: 4.3 overs |16 overs: 4.5 overs
These new regulations will be implemented starting in July, aiming to ensure consistency and fairness in playing conditions, regardless of the length of a shortened match.
ICC also makes changes in playing conditions
The ICC has announced several changes to playing conditions across formats, according to ESPN Cricinfo. In ODIs, only one ball will be used from the 35th over onwards. The use of saliva remains banned, and if a team is found deliberately applying it, umpires will not replace the ball. Instead, five penalty runs will be awarded to the batting side. The ball can only be changed if its condition has significantly altered. Additionally, a stop-clock rule has been introduced in Test cricket to reduce time delays between overs.
Under the new stop-clock rule, the fielding team must be ready to begin a new over within 60 seconds of the previous one ending. Two warnings will be issued by the umpires for delays, and any repeated offense after that will result in a five-run penalty. These warnings will reset after every 80 overs. The rule has been effective from the start of the 2025–27 WTC cycle. Also, if the batting team takes a short run deliberately, they’ll face a five-run penalty. Fielding teams can now also choose which batter they want to face the next ball.
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