Explainers
The T20 powerplay: what changes in the first six overs
Only two fielders may stand outside the circle at the start of a T20 innings, and that shapes the whole game.
In a T20 innings the first six overs are the powerplay. During that period no more than two fielders may be outside the 30-yard circle, so the batting side faces a much more open field than in the rest of the innings.
What it does to the game
- Batters can find gaps and clear the infield with less risk.
- Captains usually open with their most attacking bowlers, because a wicket in this phase matters more than a few dot balls.
- Fielding teams have fewer players to protect the boundary, so mistakes in line and length are punished.
After the powerplay
From the seventh over the fielding side may place up to five fielders outside the circle, which is why scoring rates typically dip in the middle overs before rising again at the end of the innings.