T20 cricket is fast, thrilling, and full of energy — and fielding rules play a big role in shaping how the game unfolds. In this shortest international format, every ball counts, so field placements, restrictions, and timing are tightly controlled by the ICC’s official T20 playing conditions.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explain every T20 fielding rule, from powerplay restrictions to fielding positions, substitution laws, and penalties — all with examples and references from ICC Laws of Cricket (Law 28–41).
🧍♂️ What Is Fielding in Cricket? (Law 28)
Fielding means the act of stopping, catching, or returning the ball after it’s hit by the batter. The fielding team tries to restrict runs and take wickets through quick reactions and perfect positioning.
A T20 team has 11 players, out of which 10 fielders + 1 bowler are on the field at any time. The wicketkeeper is also considered a fielder but has specific restrictions.
🎯 Basic Fielding Rules in T20 Cricket
1. Number of Fielders on the Field (Law 28.1)
- Only 11 players are allowed on the fielding side.
- Substitutes can field but cannot bowl or act as captain or wicketkeeper.
- If a fielder goes off-field, the team can bring a substitute (as per Law 24.2).
📘 Case Study: During IPL 2022, Ravindra Jadeja left the field due to injury, and a substitute fielder replaced him for the remainder of the innings.
2. Powerplay Fielding Restrictions (T20 Only Rule)
The T20 format has specific fielding circle restrictions to balance batting and bowling.
a) Overs 1–6 (Powerplay):
- Maximum of 2 fielders outside the 30-yard circle.
- Minimum of two fielders must stay in catching position (close to the batsman).
b) Overs 7–20:
- Maximum of 5 fielders allowed outside the circle.
📘 Case Study: During the 2016 T20 World Cup, India used Bhuvneshwar Kumar effectively in the powerplay, keeping tight lines while the field was restricted.
3. Field Placement Rules (Law 28.7)
- No more than 5 fielders can be on the leg side of the pitch.
- Only two fielders are allowed behind the square on the leg side.
- Fielders cannot move significantly until the bowler delivers the ball.
📘 Case Study: In T20, bowlers like Rashid Khan rely on strict leg-side fielding setups to prevent big shots behind square.
4. Wicketkeeper Rules (Law 27)
- Only one wicketkeeper allowed on the field.
- The keeper must stand no closer than the stumps until the ball is bowled.
- If the wicketkeeper moves unfairly, the umpire can call a No Ball or Dead Ball.
📘 Case Study: During an IPL match, MS Dhoni was penalized for early movement before delivery — showing that even keepers must follow strict rules.
5. Substitute and Concussion Fielders (Law 24 & Law 41.1)
- Substitutes may replace injured fielders but cannot bowl.
- If a player suffers a concussion, a like-for-like replacement is allowed (ICC 2019 update).
📘 Case Study: In 2020, Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne became cricket’s first concussion substitute during a Test match — this rule also applies to T20s.
6. Field Obstruction Rules (Law 37)
- A fielder cannot obstruct the batter intentionally.
- Blocking the batter’s path or distracting them results in a 5-run penalty.
📘 Case Study: In a 2015 T20 match, a Bangladesh fielder accidentally blocked the striker’s run; the umpire awarded penalty runs.
7. Fake Fielding (Law 41.5)
Introduced by ICC to maintain fairness, fake fielding means pretending to throw or stop the ball when it’s not in play.
- Penalty: 5 runs awarded to batting side.
- The umpire also issues a warning to the captain.
📘 Case Study: During a 2017 India vs Australia T20, Dinesh Karthik pretended to field a ball — resulting in a penalty under the fake fielding law.
8. Over-the-Boundary Fielding (Law 19.5)
- A fielder must have both feet inside the boundary when touching the ball.
- If the fielder’s foot touches the boundary rope or ground outside it while fielding, the shot counts as a boundary (four or six).
📘 Case Study: Ravindra Jadeja’s athletic saves near the boundary often prevent certain boundaries, showing elite modern fielding.
9. Time and Over-rate Penalties (Law 41.9)
- The fielding team must bowl their 20 overs within 85 minutes.
- If not, they face in-match penalties like:
- Fewer fielders outside the circle for the last over(s).
- Monetary fines for captain and players.
📘 Case Study: During IPL 2023, slow-over-rate penalties often forced captains to bowl part-timers in death overs.
10. Illegal Fielding Equipment (Law 41.2)
- Fielders cannot use external items like cloth, gloves (except keeper), or artificial aids to stop the ball.
- Any illegal act gives 5 penalty runs to the batting side.
📘 Case Study: If a fielder uses his cap to stop the ball, umpires immediately award 5 penalty runs.
🏏 Comparison of Powerplay, Middle Overs, and Death Overs Across All Formats
| Format | Phase | Overs Range | Fielders Outside 30-Yard Circle | Key Features / Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T10 | Powerplay | 1–3 | Only 2 fielders outside circle | Ultra-aggressive batting; short matches (10 overs total). |
| Middle Overs | 4–7 | Up to 5 fielders outside circle | Bowlers use variations; boundaries often targeted. | |
| Death Overs | 8–10 | Up to 5 fielders outside circle | Every ball crucial; yorkers and slower balls dominate. | |
| T20 | Powerplay | 1–6 | Only 2 fielders outside circle | Batters attack hard; fielding tight near the ring. |
| Middle Overs | 7–15 | Up to 5 fielders outside circle | Spin bowlers control run rate. | |
| Death Overs | 16–20 | Up to 5 fielders outside circle | Fast bowlers aim for yorkers; boundary fielders spread wide. | |
| One Day (ODI) | Powerplay 1 | 1–10 | Only 2 fielders outside circle | Field restrictions favor aggressive openers. |
| Powerplay 2 (Middle Overs) | 11–40 | Up to 4 fielders outside circle | Focus shifts to rotating strike, fewer boundaries. | |
| Powerplay 3 (Death Overs) | 41–50 | Up to 5 fielders outside circle | Batsmen go for big hits; bowlers use slower balls. | |
| Test Cricket | No Powerplay System | Entire Innings | No fielding circle limits | Captains free to place fielders anywhere; strategy-based placements. |
🧠 Explanation for Beginners
🟢 Powerplay Overs
- The Powerplay is designed to give batters a fair chance by limiting the number of fielders outside the 30-yard circle.
- In shorter formats like T10 and T20, early overs are explosive — openers attack because only 2 fielders can protect the boundary.
📘 Example: During IPL matches, batters like Jos Buttler or Virat Kohli use the first six overs to maximize runs before extra fielders spread out.
🟡 Middle Overs
- Here, teams balance attack and defense.
- Spinners often bowl during these overs to slow down the scoring rate.
- Up to 4 or 5 fielders can be outside the circle, depending on format.
📘 Example: In ODIs, bowlers like Shakib Al Hasan and Kuldeep Yadav use middle overs to choke runs and take wickets.
🔴 Death Overs
- The final overs of limited-overs formats are called Death Overs (last 5–10 overs).
- Batters play risky shots to maximize runs, while bowlers focus on yorkers, slower deliveries, and wide lines.
- Fielders spread across the boundary to stop sixes.
📘 Example: Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi are known for their deadly yorkers in death overs.
⚖️ Summary of Major Differences
| Aspect | T10 | T20 | ODI | Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Overs | 10 | 20 | 50 | Unlimited (up to 450+ in 5 days) |
| Powerplay Overs | 1–3 | 1–6 | 1–10 | None |
| Fielders Outside Circle (Powerplay) | 2 | 2 | 2 | No limit |
| Fielders Outside Circle (After Powerplay) | 5 | 5 | 4–5 (varies) | No limit |
| Focus Area | Big hitting, entertainment | Aggression with strategy | Rotation + acceleration | Patience, technique |
| Captain’s Role | Quick decisions | Tactical field changes | Field spread planning | Strategy over sessions |
| Best Fielders Role | Boundary riders | Infield agility | Versatile coverage | Slip cordon catching |
🧾 ICC Laws & Clauses Related to Fielding
| Law No. | Subject | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Law 27 | The Wicketkeeper | Defines keeper’s position and movement limits. |
| Law 28 | The Fielder | Responsibilities, restrictions, and positioning. |
| Law 24 | Player Substitution | Explains when and how a substitute may field. |
| Law 37 | Obstructing the Field | Penalties for obstruction by a fielder or batter. |
| Law 41.5 | Fake Fielding | Penalty for deceptive fielding actions. |
| Law 41.9 | Time Wasting & Over-rate | Rules for maintaining match pace. |
| Law 19.5 | Boundary Fielding | Defines when a ball counts as four or six. |
🏆 Case Study Summary
| Scenario | Rule Applied | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Player pretends to stop ball | Law 41.5 (Fake Fielding) | 5 runs to batting side |
| Keeper moves early | Law 27 | No Ball/Dead Ball |
| Fielder outside circle during powerplay | T20 Powerplay Rule | No Ball |
| Cap used to stop ball | Law 41.2 | 5 penalty runs |
| Fielder steps outside boundary | Law 19.5 | Four or Six awarded |
❓ FAQs about Fielding Rules in T20 Cricket
Q1. How many fielders can stay outside the circle in T20?
Only 2 fielders in the first 6 overs, and 5 fielders from overs 7–20.
Q2. Can a substitute fielder bowl in T20?
No. Substitutes can only field — bowling, keeping, or captaincy are not allowed.
Q3. What happens if the fielding team is too slow with their overs?
They can lose one fielder outside the circle and face fines under ICC over-rate laws.
Q4. What is fake fielding?
Pretending to stop or throw the ball to deceive the batter. It results in a 5-run penalty.
Q5. How far is the boundary from the pitch in T20?
ICC recommends a boundary of 65 to 80 meters for men’s T20 internationals.
🏁 Conclusion
Fielding in T20 cricket is about precision, timing, and teamwork. With only 20 overs, even one misfield can change the outcome. Knowing the rules—from powerplay limits to fake fielding penalties—helps both players and fans appreciate the game’s strategy and fairness.
T20 cricket rewards quick reflexes, strong communication, and fielders who turn half-chances into game-changing moments.
