IPL 2021: 90-minute time restriction imposed

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has imposed a 90-minute restriction. To be more precise, the Board in its revised playing conditions for IPL 2021, specified that 20th over must be finished in 90 minutes. Earlier, the 20th could start by the 90th minute.

“As a measure to control the match timings, the 20th overs in each innings is now included in 90 minutes, earlier the 20th over was to start on or before the 90th minute," Cricbuzz quoted a mail addressed to the Franchisees. 

The rule also states that the minimum over-rate to be achieved shall be 14.11 overs per hour. For an interrupted game where the innings can be pruned down to less than the full quota of 20 overs, the maximum time of 90 minutes will be curtailed by 4 minutes and 15 seconds for every over. As per the new conditions, the third umpire is allowed to review the short run and can also overturn the verdict made by the on-field umpires. The BCCI has also decided to remove the soft signal method. Appendix D - Clause 2.2.2 of the IPL playing conditions state that the on-field umpires would not be allowed to issue a soft signal call. This decision was taken so that the third umpire can make a proper decision without referring to the on-field call. 

Updates in the playing conditions for the 2021 season as compared to the 2020 edition

1. Clause 12.7.1 - 20th over is included in 90 minutes.
2. Clause 16.3.1 - In an uninterrupted match, subsequent super overs can be played till an hour’s time from the actual finished time of the tied matches.
3. Clause 18.4.6 -  In the case of the short run, the third umpire can check the short run and can overturn the decision made by the on-field umpires.
4. Clause 21.5.2 - Third Umpire can overrule the no-ball decision made by the on-field umpire.
5. Appendix A - Clause 5.10- Definition of the soft signal is removed.
6. Appendix D - Clause 2.2.2- Updated. Soft signal is removed.
7. Appendix F - Point number 25 is removed. (According to the Playing Conditions of 2020, Point number 25 stated - “In circumstances where there are unavoidable time constraints (for example, a requirement to switch off floodlights at a certain time) which do not allow the completion of multiple Super Over(s), the IPL Match Referee may limit the number of possible Super Overs and shall advise both captains accordingly prior to the start of the first Super Over).

[Cricbuzz and Sportstar inputs]