Super Over in Cricket — How the Tie-Breaker Works
A super over is cricket's tie-breaker: one over per side, highest score wins. Learn how it works in T20Is, ODIs, and the famous 2019 World Cup final.
When a T20 or ODI match ends in a tie — both teams finish on the same score — the result is decided by a super over. Each team faces exactly one over (6 balls), chooses two batters and one bowler, and the side scoring more runs wins. If the super over itself ties, competition rules determine the outcome (boundary countback, another super over, or shared result).
Super Over Rules
- Each team nominates 2 batters (who haven't already been dismissed) and 1 bowler for their super over
- The chasing team bats second in the super over as well
- If either or both batters are dismissed, the innings ends
- Wides and no-balls are scored normally and an extra delivery is bowled
- Fielding restrictions may apply depending on competition rules
The 2019 World Cup Final — The Most Famous Super Over
The 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand is the most dramatic super over in history. After 50 overs each, the scores were level at 241 all out. In the super over, New Zealand scored 15 off the last ball (Trent Boult bowling). England needed 15 to win and also scored exactly 15. With the super over itself tied, ICC rules mandated a boundary countback — England's 26 boundaries against New Zealand's 17 gave them the title. The controversy prompted the ICC to change the rules: super over ties are now decided by another super over, not boundaries.
Super Over in T20 Leagues
In the IPL, BBL, and most T20 leagues, a super over is the standard tie-breaker. Captains face a high-pressure choice: which two batters are aggressive enough to score quickly, and which bowler is most likely to restrict the opposition? In the IPL 2019 final, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings tied at 149, and Mumbai won the super over 5–6, claiming their fourth title.
IPL 2019 Final Super Over
Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings — tied at 149 each after 20 overs. Mumbai set 5 in the super over; CSK needed 6 to win but scored only 5. Mumbai Indians won by 1 run off the last ball, claiming their fourth IPL title in a super over classic.
Super Over Strategy
- Batting first in the super over is considered a slight disadvantage — the chasing team knows the target
- Teams typically pick their best power-hitters, not their most technically correct batters
- The bowler chosen is usually the team's most economical death bowler
- Wides are especially costly in the super over — accuracy is paramount
Frequently asked questions
What happens if both teams score the same in a super over?
Under current ICC rules (post-2019), if a super over ties, the teams play another super over. This continues until one side scores more than the other.
Is a super over used in Test cricket?
No. Test matches cannot use super overs. A tied Test (extremely rare — only 2 in history) is recorded as a tie, which is different from a draw.
Who bats in a super over?
Each team nominates 2 batters who have not already been dismissed in the main innings, plus one bowler. Batters who were already out cannot participate.