The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in India. It has 10 teams representing different cities in India competing against each other. The league is governed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). To ensure fair play and maintain the excitement of the game, the BCCI has set rules and regulations for the league. One such rule is Law 15 – Intervals.
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Table of Contents
What is Law 15 – Intervals?
Law 15 – Intervals in cricket refer to the breaks in play during a match. These breaks are important for both the players and the spectators. They allow the players to take a break, regroup, and discuss strategies for the next phase of the game. They also give the spectators a chance to grab refreshments, use the restroom, or just take a breather before the action resumes.
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Intervals in IPL:
In the IPL, there are two types of intervals: drinks break and strategic timeout.
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Drinks Break:
A drinks break is a short break in play during which the players can take a drink or two to rehydrate themselves. The drinks break lasts for 2-3 minutes and is usually taken at the midway point of each inning. The umpires signal the drinks break by making a T-shape with their arms.
Read More: Indian Premier league Season 2023 Teams Squads
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Strategic Timeout:
A strategic timeout is a longer break in play that is taken during each inning. Each team is allowed one strategic timeout per innings, which can be taken at any time between the 6th and 16th over. The strategic timeout lasts for 2-3 minutes and is used by teams to regroup, discuss strategies, and make any necessary changes. The umpires signal the strategic timeout by making a rectangle with their arms.
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Impact of Intervals on the Game:
The intervals in IPL have a significant impact on the game. They allow players to take a break and refresh themselves, which can improve their performance in the later stages of the game. They also allow the teams to discuss strategies and make changes, which can affect the outcome of the game. Additionally, the intervals give the spectators a chance to take a break and enjoy the game in a more relaxed manner.
11.6 Time-Outs
11.6.1 There will be two time-outs of 2 minutes and 30 seconds in duration in each inning. The time-outs are to allow the teams to re-group tactically. Umpires and players must start to move back into their positions after 2 minutes to resume play when the countdown clock reaches zero seconds.
11.6.2 Drinks may be brought out onto the field during the time-out. No practice is allowed.
11.6.3 Subject to clauses 11.6.4 and 11.6.8 below, the above-mentioned time-outs will occur in each inning of matches that are not Interrupted (such that the scheduled number of overs in respect of such innings remains 20) at the following times: (a) at the end of either the 6th,7th, 8th or 9th over at the election of the fielding team and (b) at the end of either the 13th, 14th 15th or 16th over at the election of the batting team.
11.6.4 If there is a stoppage in play (whether for a wicket or injury or any other reason) during an over once a time-out has been requested under clause 11.6.5 below or the 9th or 16th over if the relevant time-out has not yet been taken, then the umpires shall if they believe that it will speed up the game, not wait for the end of the over and may immediately call the time-out.
11.6.5 Each time-out should be called by only either (a) the captain of either team or (b) the batsmen at the wicket (as appropriate following clause 11.6.3 (a) and (b) respectively) notifying one of the two on-field umpires or the fourth umpire, in each case before the bowler starts his run-up to deliver the final ball. Any notification once the bowler has started his run-up or if he has no run-up, his bowling action will not be valid and the captain will be asked if he wants the time out to take place after the end of the following over. If either the fielding captain or the batsmen respectively does not make an election, the umpires will call the time-out at the end of the 9th and 16th over respectively.
For the sake of clarity, no other team representative is permitted to advise or request a time-out other than the captains of either team or batsmen at the wicket.
11.6.6 The umpires will signal the time-out by tapping a raised wrist (left or right).
11.6.7 In any match which is interrupted (such that the scheduled number of overs in respect thereof is less than 20) then the time-outs will occur as follows:
| Scheduled Number of Overs | Earliest Fielder Time out
(End of over) |
Latest Fielder Time out
(End of over) |
Earliest Batsmen Time out
(End of over) |
Latest Batsmen Time out
(End of over) |
| 20 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 |
| 19 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 |
| 18 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 15 |
| 17 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 14 |
| 16 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 13 |
| 15 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 12 |
| 14 or less | None | None | None | None |
If the scheduled number of overs in the innings in an interrupted match is 14 overs or less, there will be no time-outs. Furthermore, following a lengthy delay or interruption before any of the time-outs, the IPL Match Referee may, at his discretion, cancel all of the remaining time-outs. If the scheduled number of overs in the innings in an interrupted match is 14 overs or less, there will be no time-outs. Furthermore, following a lengthy delay or interruption before any of the time-outs, the IPL Match Referee may, at his discretion, cancel all of the remaining time-outs.
11.6.8 If in any innings the batting team is dismissed before a scheduled time-out then there will be no such time-out in respect of such innings.
Conclusion:
Law 15 – Interval is an important aspect of the IPL. The breaks in play allow players to refresh themselves and regroup while allowing the teams to discuss strategies and make changes. The intervals also give the spectators a chance to take a break and enjoy the game in a more relaxed manner. Overall, the intervals help maintain the excitement and fair play of the game, making the IPL one of the most popular and entertaining cricket leagues in the world.”
