Cricket Rules
Super Over Rules in Cricket Explained (2026)
A Super Over is a one-over-per-side eliminator used to decide a limited-overs cricket match that ends in a tie. Each team bats for one over, can lose at most two wickets, and the side that scores more runs wins. If the Super Over is also tied, another Super Over is played.
Super Over rules at a glance
| When is it used? | When a T20 or ODI match is tied and the competition’s playing conditions say a winner must be found (for example, ICC World Cups). |
| Overs | One over (six legal balls) per team. |
| Wickets | Two wickets end the innings, so each side picks three batters. |
| Who bats first? | In the first Super Over, the team that batted second in the main match bats first. |
| If it is tied again | Another Super Over is played, and this repeats until there is a winner. |
How a Super Over works, step by step
- The match is tied. Both teams finish level on runs after their full innings (or after a revised target).
- Teams name their players. Each side nominates up to three batters and chooses who will bowl its over.
- First Super Over innings. The side that batted second in the match bats first. Their innings ends after six legal balls or when they lose two wickets.
- Second Super Over innings. The other side bats, needing one run more than the target to win.
- Result. The side with more runs wins. If the runs are equal, another Super Over follows.
Rules for a second (or third) Super Over
Older rules decided a tied Super Over on boundaries scored. That method was dropped after the 2019 World Cup final, and ICC events now play repeat Super Overs until there is a winner. For subsequent Super Overs, ICC playing conditions say:
- Batting order switches: the team that batted second in the previous Super Over bats first in the next one.
- Dismissed batters sit out: any batter dismissed in an earlier Super Over cannot bat in a later one. Batters who were not out can bat again.
- The bowler must change: a bowler who bowled the previous Super Over cannot bowl the next one.
A real example: South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup 2026
In their Group D match at the 2026 T20 World Cup, South Africa and Afghanistan needed two Super Overs. It was the first T20 World Cup match decided that way. Tristan Stubbs was allowed to bat in both Super Overs because he was not out in the first one. Lungi Ngidi, who bowled the first Super Over, was not allowed to bowl the second, so Keshav Maharaj bowled it. South Africa won in the second Super Over.
Common questions
How many balls are bowled in a Super Over?
One over of six legal balls per team. Wides and no-balls are re-bowled as usual.
Can the same bowler bowl two Super Overs in a row?
No. Under ICC playing conditions, a bowler who bowled the previous Super Over cannot bowl the next one.
What happens if the Super Over is tied?
In ICC events, another Super Over is played, and this continues until one side wins.
Does every tied match have a Super Over?
No. It depends on the competition. Some bilateral matches simply end as a tie. Check the playing conditions for that series or tournament.
Based on the ICC playing conditions for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Rules in domestic leagues may differ slightly. Last updated: 15 October 2026.
More guides: All guides
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