The “Powerplay” is one of the most exciting phases in limited-overs cricket. It is a set of fielding restrictions designed to encourage aggressive batting and create high-scoring opportunities. However, the rules differ significantly between ODIs and T20s. Here is a complete guide to understanding Powerplay rules in 2025.
What is a Powerplay?
In standard cricket play, a captain can place fielders anywhere (with minor exceptions). During a Powerplay, the fielding team is restricted in how many players they can have outside the 30-yard circle. This forces the captain to bring fielders closer to the pitch, opening up large gaps in the deep for batters to hit boundaries.
T20 and IPL Powerplay Rules
The T20 format (including the IPL) has a straightforward Powerplay structure consisting of one mandatory block.
The Mandatory Powerplay (Overs 1-6)
- Duration: First 6 overs of the innings.
- Restriction: Maximum of 2 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
- Impact: This is when openers try to hit over the infielders. Lofted shots are safer because there are fewer deep fielders to catch the ball.
Non-Powerplay Overs (Overs 7-20)
- Restriction: Maximum of 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
- This is the standard fielding condition for the rest of the innings.
ODI Powerplay Rules (The 3 Phases)
One Day Internationals (ODIs) have a more complex structure, divided into three distinct powerplays to keep the game interesting over 50 overs.
Powerplay 1 (Overs 1-10)
- Mandatory: This is the start of the innings.
- Restriction: Maximum of 2 fielders outside the 30-yard circle.
- Goal: To encourage a fast start with the new ball.
Powerplay 2 (Overs 11-40)
- Middle Overs: This covers the bulk of the innings.
- Restriction: Maximum of 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle.
- Strategy: While not as aggressive as the first powerplay, having only 4 fielders deep means there are still gaps for rotation and boundaries.
Powerplay 3 (Overs 41-50)
- Death Overs: The final sprint.
- Restriction: Maximum of 5 fielders outside the 30-yard circle.
- Context: This allows the fielding team to protect boundaries more effectively as batters try to slog every ball.
History and Evolution
Powerplays haven’t always been this way. In the past, we had “Bowling Powerplays” and “Batting Powerplays” where teams could choose when to take them. These were scrapped because they often confused viewers and led to predictable patterns. The current fixed/semi-fixed system strikes a balance between structure and excitement.
Strategic Importance
- Batting: Losing wickets in the first Powerplay is a crime in T20s. Even if you don’t score fast, you must keep wickets to explode later.
- Bowling: Bowlers often use swing and pace in the Powerplay to look for wickets, as containment is difficult with only 2 fielders deep.
Understanding these restrictions helps you appreciate why a captain has set a specific field and why batters take risks at certain times. The Powerplay is truly the ignition switch of modern cricket.