The IPL Glossary: 20 Terms Every Fan Should Know
Powerplay, Impact Player, net run rate, RTM and more: the language of the IPL, explained in plain English.
New to the IPL, or just tired of nodding along when the commentators start talking about net run rate? Here are 20 terms you'll hear every season, explained simply.
Match terms
Powerplay
The first six overs of each innings. Only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle, so it's the best time for batters to attack.
Death overs
The last four or five overs of an innings, when batters swing hard and bowlers try to land yorkers and slower balls.
Strategic timeout
A short break in each innings, of about two and a half minutes. The bowling side calls one and the batting side calls one, so each can rethink its plans.
Impact Player
Introduced in 2023. Each team names up to five substitutes at the toss and can bring one of them into the match to replace any player. The replaced player takes no further part.
Free hit
The ball after a no-ball. The batter can't be out in most ways, so it's usually a chance to swing for a boundary.
DRS
The Decision Review System. Teams can challenge an umpire's call using replays and ball-tracking. In the IPL, wides and no-balls can also be reviewed.
Super Over
The tie-breaker. If a match ends level, each team bats one over with three batters. If the Super Over is also tied, another one is played.
DLS
The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, used to set a revised target when rain shortens a match. It decided the 2023 final.
Table and format
Net run rate (NRR)
The tiebreaker when teams finish level on points. It compares how fast a team scores with how fast it concedes over the whole season, so big wins help.
Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2
The playoffs. The top two meet in Qualifier 1, and the winner goes straight to the final. Third and fourth play the Eliminator, where the loser is out. The loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator then meet in Qualifier 2 for the other place in the final.
Orange Cap
Worn by the season's leading run-scorer, and passed on whenever someone overtakes them.
Purple Cap
The same idea for the leading wicket-taker.
Double-header
A day with two matches, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, usually at weekends.
Auction and squad terms
Purse
The fixed budget each team can spend on its squad. Every franchise gets the same amount.
Retention
Keeping a player before an auction at a fixed price, which is taken out of the purse.
Right to Match (RTM)
A card that lets a team buy back one of its former players at an auction by matching the highest bid.
Base price
The minimum price a player sets when registering for the auction. Bidding starts there.
Uncapped player
A player who hasn't played international cricket. Players who retired from international cricket more than five years ago can also count as uncapped.
Mega auction
A full reset every few years, when most players go back into the pool and squads are rebuilt. Smaller "mini" auctions fill gaps in between.
Overseas limit
Squads can include up to eight overseas players, but only four can play in any one match.
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