Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) Method in Cricket
How the DLS method calculates revised targets in rain-affected cricket matches, the mathematics behind it, and why it replaced the older Duckworth-Lewis system.
What Is the DLS Method?
The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is the mathematical formula used to calculate revised target scores in rain-affected limited-overs cricket matches. It accounts for two resources available to each batting team: overs remaining and wickets in hand. Named after Frank Duckworth, Tony Lewis, and Steve Stern (who updated the formula in 2014).
Core Concept: Resources
Every batting team starts with 100% of their resources — a full complement of overs and all ten wickets. As overs are used or wickets fall, resources are consumed. The DLS table maps every combination of overs remaining and wickets lost to a resource percentage. When overs are lost to rain, the target is adjusted proportionally to the resources available to each team.
When DLS Is Applied
- Rain interruption before or during the first innings
- Rain interruption during the second innings
- Bad light stopping play in limited-overs matches
- Any event that reduces the maximum overs for a team
Simplified Example
Second-Innings Rain Interruption
Team 1 scores 280 in 50 overs. Team 2 is chasing — at 8 overs (2/120), rain stops play and 10 overs are lost. Team 2's revised target is calculated from the resources they had when rain struck vs. the resources Team 1 had. If Team 1 had 100% resources and Team 2 now has 75% of their original resources, the target is adjusted to 75% of 280 plus a par score component — the formula produces a specific number (e.g. 218 off 40 overs).
DLS vs Old D/L Method
The original Duckworth-Lewis formula, introduced in 1997, used a single set of resource tables. Steve Stern's update (DLS, 2014) recalibrated the tables using data from modern high-scoring games — the D/L tables underestimated resource value in the final overs, which DLS corrected.
VJD Method Alternative
India's domestic cricket previously used the VJD (V. Jayadevan) method as an alternative to D/L. The VJD uses a different resource curve and is considered more accurate in high-scoring games. However, the ICC mandates DLS for all international matches.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the DLS method used instead of a simple run-rate calculation?
Simple run-rate calculations ignore wickets in hand — a team at 2 wickets down is in a very different position than one at 9 wickets down with the same overs remaining. DLS accounts for both overs and wickets, giving a fairer revised target.
What is the minimum overs needed for a DLS result in an ODI?
At least 20 overs must be completed by the team batting second for a DLS result to be valid in a 50-over ODI. In T20s, the minimum is typically 5 overs.