DLS Method Explained: How Cricket Handles Rain Interruptions
Rain delays change everything in cricket — the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method sets revised targets that are mathematically fair and used in all major tournaments worldwide.
What Is the DLS Method?
The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is the standard mathematical formula used in limited-overs cricket to recalculate target scores when matches are interrupted by rain, bad light, or other unforeseen stoppages. It replaced the old average run rate and fastest scoring rate methods, which were widely considered unfair.
Why a Formula Was Needed
Before DLS, simpler methods of calculating revised targets led to absurd outcomes. In a famous 1992 World Cup semi-final, England needed 22 from one ball after a rain delay — clearly impossible. These failures prompted statisticians Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis to develop a better approach, which was adopted in 1997. Tony Stern updated the model in 2014.
The Core Concept: Resources
DLS treats every cricket innings as having two resources: overs remaining and wickets in hand. As overs are bowled and wickets fall, resources are consumed. The key insight is that losing a wicket early is just as damaging as losing overs — both reduce the scoring potential of the remaining innings.
How a Revised Target Is Set
If Team 1 bats a full innings and scores 250, and rain reduces Team 2's innings from 50 to 30 overs, DLS calculates what percentage of resources Team 2 has relative to the resources Team 1 had. The target is adjusted so Team 2 needs the same 'resource-equivalent' score. The exact table of resource percentages is maintained by the ICC and periodically updated.
What Happens When Team 1's Innings Is Interrupted
This is more complex. If Team 1's innings is also shortened — say, they started with 50 overs but lost 10 overs midway — their 'par score' must first be established. Team 2's target is then based on the par score, adjusted for Team 2's own resource availability.
Key Scenarios
| Scenario | DLS Application |
|---|---|
| Rain before Team 2 bats | Revised target set proportionally to Team 2's remaining resources |
| Rain during Team 2's chase | Par score recalculated at each interruption — if ahead of par when match abandoned, Team 2 wins |
| Rain during Team 1's innings | Par score established; Team 2 target reduced or increased accordingly |
| Match abandoned before minimum overs | No result declared — minimum overs must be completed |
Minimum Overs for a Result
For a DLS result to be valid, both teams must face a minimum number of overs. In T20Is, each team must face at least 5 overs. In ODIs, the minimum is typically 20 overs per side. If rain prevents even the minimum, the match is abandoned and recorded as no-result or replayed.
Criticisms of DLS
- The underlying resource tables are not published — it lacks full transparency
- Very short games (5–10 overs per side) can still produce counterintuitive targets
- Critics argue the model does not fully account for changes in batting strategy in chases
- Despite updates, some scenarios in modern T20 cricket still produce targets that feel arbitrary
Frequently asked questions
What does 'par score' mean in DLS?
The par score is the DLS-calculated score a team must have reached at any given point in their innings to be considered on track for the revised target. If rain ends a match, the team ahead of par at that point wins.
Can a team win by more than the DLS target?
Yes, they must. The DLS target is the minimum score required to win. Exceeding it by one run is sufficient for victory.
What happens in a Super Over after DLS?
A Super Over uses DLS resources if it is also interrupted by rain, though this is extremely rare in practice. The DLS method effectively covers all limited-overs contexts as directed by the ICC.