The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its fast-paced T20 cricket, but have you ever wondered about the official break time in an IPL match?
From innings breaks to strategic timeouts, every moment in IPL is structured to ensure maximum entertainment. This guide will explain the IPL match break time, how long an IPL match lasts, and how breaks contribute to the game’s commercial success.
How Long is an IPL Match?
An IPL match usually lasts 3 hours and 20 minutes, but factors like rain delays, slow over rates, and super overs can extend the total time.
Match Phase | Duration |
1st Innings | 90 minutes |
Innings Break | 20 minutes |
2nd Innings | 90 minutes |
Total Match Duration | 3 hours 20 minutes |
💡 Fact: The official IPL rule states that each inning should be completed within 90 minutes, including timeouts.
IPL Match Break Time – A Complete Breakdown
1️⃣ Innings Break
📌 Duration: 20 minutes
📌 Purpose: Allows teams to switch roles (batting/bowling), prepare strategies, and refresh.
2️⃣ Strategic Timeouts
📌 Duration: 2 timeouts per innings, 2.5 minutes each
📌 When? Between overs 6-9 and 13-16.
3️⃣ Drinks Breaks & Injury Stoppages
📌 Duration: Varies (1-2 minutes per instance)
📌 Purpose: Hydration, injury treatment, and third umpire reviews.
4️⃣ Commercial Breaks
📌 Duration: ~30 seconds per over (ads shown between overs).
📌 Total Ads Time: Around 40 minutes per match.
Innings Break Duration in IPL
🏏 The innings break in IPL is 20 minutes long.
📌 During this time:
✅ The batting team strategizes for the chase.
✅ The bowling team discusses plans with coaches.
✅ Ground staff maintains the pitch.
✅ TV broadcasters air commercials and match analysis.
This break is crucial for teams to reset and prepare for the second half of the match.
What is the Strategic Timeout in IPL?
Strategic Timeouts allow teams to regroup, discuss tactics, and adjust strategies.
📌 Each team gets two timeouts per innings:
✅ 1st timeout between overs 6-9 (chosen by batting team).
✅ 2nd timeout between overs 13-16 (chosen by bowling team).
✅ Each timeout lasts 2.5 minutes.
Why is it important?
✔ Helps captains and coaches make tactical changes.
✔ Allows TV broadcasters to air high-value advertisements.
💰 Broadcasters make over ₹5 crore per match from strategic timeout ads!
Total Commercial Break Time in an IPL Match
IPL is heavily commercialized, and advertisements play a big role during breaks.
📌 Total ad break time in an IPL match: 40-50 minutes.
📌 Ad slots are sold for ₹10-15 lakh per 10 seconds.
📌 Strategic timeouts alone generate ₹300-500 crore per season!
This makes IPL one of the most profitable cricket tournaments in the world.
Drinks Breaks & Other Stoppages in IPL
📌 Types of additional breaks:
✅ Drinks Breaks – Only in extreme heat conditions (1-2 minutes).
✅ Injury Breaks – If a player needs medical attention (~5 minutes).
✅ Third Umpire Reviews (DRS) – Takes 1-2 minutes per review.
✅ Rain Delays – Matches can be stopped for hours in bad weather.
💡 Fact: If rain interrupts a match for too long, it is reduced to a shorter format (DLS method) or rescheduled.
How IPL Break Time is Used for Advertisements?
IPL generates billions of rupees in advertising revenue.
📺 Types of Ads in IPL:
✔ Mid-over ads – 30-second TV ads between overs.
✔ Strategic Timeout Ads – 2.5-minute premium slots.
✔ LED Board & Boundary Ads – Shown during replays.
✔ Innings Break Ads – 20-minute-long commercial time.
💰 Example: In IPL 2023, Disney Star earned ₹4,000 crore from TV ads alone!
Conclusion
IPL’s match duration and break times are carefully structured to balance entertainment and commercial profits. The innings break (20 minutes), strategic timeouts (2.5 minutes each), and ad slots make IPL one of the richest sports leagues in the world.
FAQs on IPL Match Break Time
No, timeouts are mandatory as they are part of IPL’s commercial structure.
A full match takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes.
IPL earns over ₹500 crore per season from TV and digital ad slots during match breaks.