VJD Method in Cricket
What the VJD (V. Jayadevan) method is, how it differs from DLS, when it was used in Indian domestic cricket, and why the ICC chose DLS for international matches.
What Is the VJD Method?
The VJD method — named after its creator V. Jayadevan, an Indian civil engineer — is an alternative rain-interruption calculation system to DLS. It uses a two-part resource curve that separately models the pattern of run-scoring in the first half and second half of a limited-overs innings, rather than a single exponential curve.
Key Differences from DLS
| Feature | DLS Method | VJD Method |
|---|---|---|
| Resource curve | Single exponential | Two-part curve (first/second half) |
| Wicket weighting | Standard ICC table | Different distribution |
| High-scoring games | Sometimes underestimates | Claimed to be more accurate |
| ICC adoption | Mandatory internationally | Domestic India use only |
| Creator | Duckworth, Lewis, Stern | V. Jayadevan |
Use in Indian Domestic Cricket
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) approved the VJD method for use in domestic limited-overs tournaments for several years. Proponents argued that VJD gave fairer targets in high-scoring T20 matches because its resource curve better captured the exponential acceleration in modern T20 scoring.
ICC's Decision
The ICC has mandated DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) for all international matches. While the VJD has been recognised as a valid alternative, the ICC opted to standardise on DLS — which has been in international use since 1997 — rather than adopt a new system. International matches played in India still use DLS, not VJD.
Where VJD and DLS Differ Most
In a T20 where Team 1 scores 220 off 20 overs and rain interrupts Team 2's chase at 5 overs, the two methods can produce targets differing by 10–15 runs. VJD tends to give lower targets in the chasing team's favour when the interruption comes late, because its curve weights early wickets more heavily.
Frequently asked questions
Is the VJD method used in IPL matches?
No. IPL is an ICC-sanctioned tournament and follows DLS for any rain-affected matches, regardless of BCCI's domestic VJD policy.
Who invented the VJD method?
V. Jayadevan, an Indian civil engineer from Kerala, developed the VJD method as an alternative to the Duckworth-Lewis system, which he believed underestimated resources in high-scoring modern cricket.