What is a strategic timeout in IPL and are they only used in Indian Premier League?
The IPL is back in big-hitting action as some of the world’s biggest cricket stars flock to India.
Chennai Super Kings were 2018 champions but the likes of Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore will be looking to provide stiff competition this year.
But the unique strategic timeout is a rule that may have cricket fans outside of India a little perplexed.
What is a strategic timeout?
A strategic timeout is similar in concept to timeouts in basketball.
That is to say, they are called by IPL teams mid-game in order to reformulate strategy.
Strategic timeouts were initially launched in 2009 and lasted seven and a half minutes, but the long break proved unpopular and they were shortened to two and a half minutes a year later.
Even with the shorter breaks, many fans complain that strategic timeouts kill momentum by disrupting the flow of the game.
But franchise owners have stated that strategic timeouts are crucial to maintain commercial revenue streams in the league.
MOST READ IN SPORT
How many strategic timeouts do IPL teams get?
Both teams get one strategic timeout in each innings.
The bowling team must use their strategic timeout between overs six and eight while the batting team have to use theirs between overs 11 and 16.
Do other cricket formats and competitions have strategic timeouts?
No. Strategic timeouts are exclusive to the IPL at the moment.