In this Open Letter blog we are talk about some of the very interesting facts regarding power play rules. We all have been witnessing how scoring 300+ runs is getting so easier for many teams these days plus scoring more numbers of centuries is becoming easier due to Power play rules.
The main reason to write this kind of a cricket analysis blog is that due to constantly changing power play rules comparing old legends like Sachin Tendulkar with new stars like Virat Kohli is difficult.
The reality is that due to new power play rules comparison of old generation cricketers with new generation is becoming meaningless.
So, in this blog you are going to get some interesting facts that how Power play has made batting so easy and bowling so costly and why comparison of new & old generation of cricketers is meaningless.
How Power plays Made Batting Easier in Cricket
Before Power plays (Pre-2005):
- Fielding Restrictions:
- More fielders were outside the 30-yard circle, making it harder for batsmen to score freely.
- Fewer Boundaries:
- The larger number of fielders restricted boundary-scoring opportunities.
- Difficult Early Overs:
- The first 15 overs were challenging for batsmen, as they had to contend with early swing and the pressure from more fielders.
Introduction of Power plays in 2005 :
- Powerplay 1 (First 10 overs):
- Only 2 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
- Batsmen now have more freedom to attack with fewer fielding restrictions.
- This change allowed early aggressive play, as batsmen could take calculated risks without as much pressure from the field.
- Increase in Powerplay Overs:
- Previously, there were only 15 overs of Powerplay (with restrictions on fielding).
- Post-2005, this increased to 20 overs, allowing more freedom for batsmen throughout the innings.
Change After 2015:
- Increased Fielders in Middle Overs (11-40):
- After 2015, the number of fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the middle overs (11-40) was increased from 3 to 4.
- This change allowed even more aggressive batting in the middle overs, helping batsmen maintain a high run rate throughout the innings.
Flat Pitches and Modern Equipment :
- Batting-Friendly Pitches:
- Modern pitches tend to offer less turn and bounce, making batting easier and providing more opportunities to score consistently.
- Improved Bat Technology:
- Bats today are lighter and more powerful, enabling batsmen to hit further with less effort.
- These bats are designed to generate more power, helping batsmen clear the boundaries more easily.
Fielding Restrictions and Increased Aggression:
- With the reduced number of fielders in the early overs and more Powerplay overs in general, batsmen find it easier to score freely. This makes it much easier to accumulate runs early in the innings and maintain a high scoring rate.
More Boundary Opportunities :
- The additional fielding restrictions and batting-friendly conditions lead to more opportunities for boundary hitting. As a result, batsmen can set the tone for high scores, regularly achieving totals of 300+ in ODIs.
Why Bowling Has Become More Expensive due to Power Play
| Aspect | Before 2005 | 2005-2015 | After 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fielding Restrictions | – More fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. | – Powerplay 1: Only 2 fielders outside the 30-yard circle. | – Powerplay 1: 2 fielders outside. |
| – Limited attacking options for bowlers. | – Powerplay 2 (11-40): 3 fielders outside the circle. | – Powerplay 2: 4 fielders outside. | |
| – Powerplay 3 (41-50): 5 fielders allowed outside. | – Powerplay 3: 5 fielders outside. | ||
| Bowling Strategy | – Batsmen forced to play more conservatively due to fielding restrictions. | – Early overs were still challenging with fielding limits, but more attacking options available. | – Bowlers face high scoring rates, particularly in middle and death overs. |
| Economy Rates | – Bowling was less expensive due to more fielders in deep. | – Economy rates increasedwith more attacking opportunities in the middle overs. | – Economy rates rise significantly due to increased boundaries and attacking play. |
| Middle Overs (11-40) | – Fewer fielders outside the circle, bowlers had opportunities to control the game. | – 3 fielders outside, still had the ability to keep some control. | – 4 fielders outside the circle, harder to stop boundaries. |
| Death Overs (41-50) | – Fewer fielders, but more chances to stop batsmen from hitting boundaries. | – With only 5 fielders, bowlers were under pressure from well-set batsmen. | – More fielders outside, but batsmen in full flow make it difficult to prevent runs. |
| Bowling Skill Requirement | – Basic skills sufficient to maintain control. | – Bowlers needed variations, and pace control became essential. | – High skill required to bowl variations, control pace, and prevent boundaries in high-pressure overs. |
| Pressure on Bowlers | – Less pressure from the batsmen, but fewer attacking options. | – Increased pressure on bowlers due to aggressive batting and fielding restrictions. | – Huge pressure to control runs due to attacking batting and fielding limitations. |
| Do Bowlers Get More Expensive? | – No, bowlers could control the game more easily with fielders in deep. | – Yes, bowlers’ economy rates increased with more attacking play and fewer fielders. | – Yes, bowlers have become significantly more expensive due to more fielding restrictions, increased boundary hitting, and aggressive batting. |
300+ Totals are becoming lesser Competitive and less exciting :
One of the biggest changes post-Powerplay has been the regularity of scores above 300. In Sachin’s era, a score of 275-280 was often considered par, but in today’s cricket, 300+ totals are commonplace. This shift is largely due to Powerplay rules, which allow more freedom for batsmen to play aggressive shots from the outset. Bowlers, on the other hand, struggle to contain runs, especially with more aggressive field placements that force them to bowl in conditions that are much more favorable for batsmen.
Decade-Wise Breakdown of 300+ Scores in ODIs (2000 to 2022)
| Period | 300+ Scores | 350+ Scores | 400+ Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2014 | 69 | 69 | 14 |
| 2015–2023 | 100+ | 31+ | 13 |
Extra Reference :
Concluding the Article :
The introduction and evolution of Powerplays, along with flat pitches, modern bat technology, and reduced fielding restrictions, have significantly favored batsmen in ODIs. These changes made it easier to score boundaries, take early risks, and maintain high run rates throughout the innings — leading to a sharp rise in 300+ scores in modern cricket.
Effect of Power Plays on 2 Generations of Cricket
| Feature | Gavaskar/Lara/Sachin Era (1970s–early 2000s) | Rohit/Kohli Era (2010s–Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplays |  Not Available / Limited (15 overs only) |  Multiple Powerplays with 2-4 fielders outside |
| Fielding Restrictions | Less restrictive (more fielders on boundary) | More restrictive (early overs favor batsmen) |
| Pitches | Often bowler-friendly (variable bounce/swing) | Mostly flat & batting-friendly |
| Bat Technology | Basic, less power | Modern, lightweight, thick edges |
| Scoring Rates | Avg ODI SR ~65–75 | Avg ODI SR ~90+ |
| Opposition Analysis | No data analytics | Detailed data and match-up exploitation |
| Total 300+ Scores (ODIs) | Rare pre-2000s (very few per year) | 100+ in last decade alone |
Key Analysis of Table :
Comparing players across eras is unfair without context. Legends like Gavaskar, Lara, and Sachin scored big runs when :
- Pitches were tougher
- Boundaries were longer
- No Powerplays existed
- Bats weren’t power-enhanced
Modern players like Rohit and Kohli are great in their own right, but they enjoy rules, tools, and conditions specifically favoring batsmen — especially in ODIs and T20s.
So, stats may look bigger today, but conditions made batting harder in the past — making those runs even more valuable in context.
I hope you liked this article regarding how power play has changed the game of cricket and why comparison of 2 Generations of cricketers is now difficult.
Happy Cricket
