Fraser Stewart, MCC’s head of cricket, calls out IPL’s slow over-rate problem

MUMBAI: Slow over-rates, stretching matches well beyond their scheduled duration — have become an unwelcome norm in IPL 2026. Mumbai Indians versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede on April 12 was a case in point. With no weather interruptions, the match carried on for four hours and 21 minutes, one of the longest in IPL history, before RCB sealed an 18-run win close to midnight.

MI skipper Hardik Pandya became the fourth captain this season to be fined for a slow over-rate. But penalties, it appears, are doing little to curb the trend. The issue has now caught the attention of the game’s lawmakers, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

“It’s a real issue. We were there for the game,” said Fraser Stewart, MCC’s Head of Cricket speaking here on Tuesday. “What struck us was the pace — how slow it was, with so many stoppages. In The Hundred, a wicket falls and a 60-second clock starts. The next batter must be ready or the team concedes five penalty runs. I know it’s hotter here and people have to have drinks and stuff, but there were just so many people running on and off the pitch all the time. There was no urgency,” Stewart said.

He also pointed to structural reasons behind the slowdown.

“The umpires were letting it be slow. I think it’s an umpire’s job to try to keep the game moving, but when every break is an advertising potential for the billions that are watching, you can see why. Let’s have another strategic timeout, so we can have two and a half minutes of adverts. And we’ll put two per innings, so there’s suddenly ten minutes of adverts that are filling up the game,” he added.

Fraser echoed the sentiment, admitting they preferred to watch the finish from their hotel.

“There were too many interruptions — the noise, the PA system, constant breaks. We just went back to the hotel and watched the last five overs on the TV. It was actually quite enjoyable because you can sit there and have a chat, have a drink and watch the cricket. Whereas in the stadium, you can’t have a drink, you can’t chat, because there’s some bloke on the public address system shouting, ‘Mumbai, Mumbai. Do you think it’s good?’ Sorry, I’m just a grumpy man!”.

But Stewart stressed that poor over-rates are not limited to T20 cricket alone.

“It’s not just an IPL or white-ball issue. Even in Test cricket in England, over-rates have been shocking. Teams are bowling barely 73-74 overs in over six hours, and umpires aren’t acting,” he said.

He even suggested stricter accountability — including penalties for umpires. “The laws allow warnings and five-run penalties, but umpires are reluctant to enforce them. One suggestion is to fine umpires if over-rates are poor — that might ensure games move along,” Stewart said.

Highlighting the contrast with domestic cricket, Stewart noted that county matches in England are quicker despite higher over requirements.

“In county cricket, teams bowl 96 overs a day and manage it. In Tests, there’s a 12–15 second delay per over. It’s the same field changes — just done slower. The urgency is missing,” he explained.

Looking ahead, Stewart floated the idea of stricter time-linked penalties in Test cricket.

“For instance, you must complete 30 overs before lunch. If you don’t, your lunch break gets shortened. Measures like these could speed things up considerably,” he said.