What is Slow Over Rate in IPL? How Many Players Have Been Fined?
The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been one of the biggest cricketing events in India. The rich cash league has been the oldest running franchise league in world cricket. But in IPL and every other game, there has been a time limit to complete the game or the innings. Otherwise, the team’s captain will be charged with a slow over rate. A slow over rate occurs when the fielding side fails to complete its allocated overs within the allotted time.
Let’s examine the slow over rate in cricket, including their definition, laws, and punishments. Sustaining the required over-rate is essential for the smooth flow of the game. There are numerous reasons for slower overs, and cricketers have been fined and charged.
What is the Slow Over Rate in Cricket?
In cricket, a slow over rate refers to the situation when a side has not bowled the designated number of overs within the allocated time for that match situation. Each format of cricket has a time allowance for the fielding side to bowl several overs (the limits are determined by the Laws of cricket), the consequences for slow over rate are fines, suspension of the captain, and/or points deduction in league competitions like the IPL or World Test Championship (WTC). For example, a minimum rate of 15 overs every hour, 50 overs in 3.5 hours (including breaks), and 20 overs in 85-90 minutes.
What are the fines for a Slow Over Rate in Cricket?
Players can get a fine as a percentage of their match fees for not bowling their overs on time. For example, under the newest ICC regulations, players are fined 5% of their match fees for each over their team is short, limited to a maximum penalty of 50%. Slow over rates can carry a cost in points for teams in competitions like the World Test Championship (WTC).
To illustrate, both England and New Zealand had three points deducted from their WTC total for falling three overs short in a Test at Christchurch. In limited-overs formats, teams can receive in-game penalties, such as adding an extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle for every over of time not bowled.
Debate and Criticism
Recently, the debate around over-rate penalties has been prompted from players and match officials. England captain Ben Stokes said he did not agree with the ICC’s reasoning and felt that it doesn’t consider the different conditions and styles. He even went on to propose using a stop clock to help manage the time lost in test matches.
What is the Slow Over Rate in IPL?
For any fielding team, 20 overs are to be bowled within 90 minutes during the IPL, with two five-minute timeouts that are used as strategic timeouts. This effectively allocates 85 minutes for the 20 overs, with a single over averaging around 4.25 minutes. Time intervals are set apart for unexpected disruptions like injuries, Decision Review System (DRS) assessments, and other interludes.
If a team exceeds this duration without a genuine reason, it is deemed to have been maintaining a slow over rate. Over time, the IPL has enforced different types of punishments to dissuade teams from maintaining slow overrates. The punishments have evolved to manage the problem more effectively and maintain the tempo of the game.
How Not to Get Penalised for Slow Over Rate in IPL?
In the toughest T20 league in the world, the franchises have to bowl 14.11 overs per hour. This will equal 20 overs in 1 hour and 30 minutes with two strategic timeouts of 2 minutes and 30 seconds each.
The timeouts are meant to enable teams to plan without interfering with the continuity of the game. If this has been maintained, then there’s no penalty in the game or after that as well.
Also Read: What is Retired Out Rule in Cricket? Which IPL Players Have Retired Out So Far?
Evolution of Slow Over Rate Penalty in IPL
Before IPL 2025,
- The captain was fined 12 lakh for their first offense.
- Although the 2nd Offence is INR 24 lakh, which was fine on the captain and the rest of the team, including the Impact Player, was fined INR 6 lakh or 25% of the match fee, whichever was lower.
- After the third offense, there was an INR 30 lakh fine and a one-match suspension for the skipper. All other team members were fined INR 12 lakh or 50% of their match fee, whichever was less.
Revised Penalties from IPL 2025
- In a dramatic turnaround, the IPL administration changed the sanction system for slow over rates starting with the 2025 season. Captains will still be penalized for slow over rates.
- Captains will be given demerit points for every offense. The accrual of demerit points over a period of three years can lead to harsher sanctions.
- The previous rule of suspending captains for repeated offences has been abolished. Repeat offenses will now attract higher penalties and penalty points instead.
Notable Examples of Slow Over Rate
The instances of slow over-rate led to multiple instances of sanctions during the 2021 IPL season. The likes of Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Eoin Morgan, and Virat Kohli were all docked INR 12 lakhs each for the slow over rates of their respective teams.
In March 2025, Pandya was fined INR 12 lakh in a match against the Gujarat Titans for maintaining a slow over-rate. It was the Mumbai Indians‘ first offence of the season.
List of Players Who Have Received Fines for Slow Over Rate in IPL 2025
| Match No. | Team | Captain (Stand-in if any) | Opponent | Venue | Offence No. | Fine (Captain) | Fine (Team) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Mumbai Indians | Hardik Pandya | Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad | 1st | ₹12 lakh | — |
| 11 | Rajasthan Royals | Riyan Parag (stand-in) | Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati | 1st | ₹12 lakh | — |
| 16 | Lucknow Super Giants | Rishabh Pant | Mumbai Indians | Lucknow | 1st | ₹12 lakh | — |
| 21 | RCB | Rajat Patidar | Mumbai Indians | Mumbai (Away) | 1st | ₹12 lakh | — |
| 23 | Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson | Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad | 2nd | ₹24 lakh | ₹6 lakh or 25% of match fee (whichever lower) |
Measures to Prevent Slow Over Rates
- Effective Field Placement: Reducing the number of unnecessary field changes can save time.
- Balanced Bowling Attack: Employing a mix of fast bowlers and spinners can help maintain a steady overrate.
- Time Management Training: Making the players learn the importance of time management and avoiding distractions to enhance performance during games.
Implications of Maintaining a Slow Over Rate
- Morale and Team Dynamics: Constant offenses and their subsequent penalties can have a negative effect, impacting team morale, trust, and dynamics.
- Strategic Constraints: Captains could have to modify their bowling approach, opting to use spinners more to catch up on the over-rate, despite that not always being the best available option.
- Reputation: Teams with slow over rates can be viewed as less appealing and slowly have the fans and sponsorship problems.
Conclusion
Consistency in over rate is vital for the running of the games in the IPL, and pros keep up the mere’ to the standards. The rules for slow over rates have shifted, but a focus remains on keeping teams to their planned timings. Examining the reasons and impact of slow over rates can help teams create successful strategies to avoid penalties while still propelling the IPL’s exciting and quick matches.
