A Super Over, also called a one-over eliminator, is a tie-breaker used in limited-overs cricket. When a match ends level, each team bats one extra over of six balls, and the side that scores more runs in that over wins. It is a short, high-pressure shootout designed to produce a clear result when a full match cannot separate two teams.
How does a Super Over work?
Each side nominates three batters and one bowler for the Super Over. The team that batted second in the main match usually bats first in the Super Over, facing six legal deliveries from a single bowler. Because only three batters are named, the innings ends either after the six balls are bowled or as soon as the batting side loses two wickets, whichever comes first. The other team then bats its over, chasing the target set. Whichever side scores more runs wins the match. Normal cricket rules apply within the over, so wides and no balls still add runs and, in the case of a no ball, a free hit where the competition uses one.
The Super Over compresses a whole match into a few minutes. Batters look to attack from the first ball, and captains must pick the right bowler and the right three batters for the moment, because there is no time to recover from a poor start.
The order of play is set by the competition’s rules, but the same principles apply everywhere: one bowler, six legal balls, three batters, and a straight shootout on runs. Any illegal deliveries are re-bowled and penalized just as in the main match, so a wide or no ball in a Super Over can prove hugely costly when only six balls decide everything.
What happens if the Super Over is tied?
If the Super Over itself finishes level, the match is not left as a draw. Another Super Over is played immediately, with a fresh set of nominated batters and an eligible bowler, and this repeats until one side scores more than the other in an over. This means a genuinely close contest can go to two, three, or more Super Overs before a winner emerges.
This is a change from the past. After the 2019 World Cup final, which was decided in favor of England on boundary count when both the match and the Super Over were tied, the International Cricket Council removed the boundary count rule in October 2019. Since then, a tied Super Over is settled by playing another Super Over rather than by counting who hit more boundaries.
Super Over rules at a glance
The table summarizes the key rules.
| Element | Rule |
|---|---|
| Batters | Three nominated per side; the innings ends at two wickets |
| Overs | One over of six legal balls per side |
| Bowler | One bowler per side per Super Over |
| Result | The side scoring more runs wins the match |
| Tie | Another Super Over is played, repeating until there is a winner; no boundary count |
Which formats use a Super Over?
Super Overs are a feature of Twenty20 and one-day international cricket, and they are widely used in franchise leagues such as the major T20 competitions. They are most common in knockout matches, where a result is required and a tie cannot be allowed to stand. In some group-stage games, competition rules may let a tie stand and share the points instead, so whether a Super Over is used can depend on the tournament and the stage of the event.
What makes the Super Over so tense?
The Super Over squeezes an entire match into a single over, which magnifies every decision and every ball. Captains must choose their bowler and their three batters in advance, backing a small group to handle enormous pressure with no margin for error. A single boundary, dot ball, or wicket can swing the result, and fielding matters just as much as batting, since one run saved or conceded can decide the match. Chasing a target adds another layer, because the second team knows exactly what it needs and can plan its six balls around that number. For fans, it is one of the most gripping few minutes in the sport.
Common misconceptions about the Super Over
The most common misconception is that boundary count still decides a tied Super Over; that rule was scrapped in 2019, and ties are now broken by playing another over. Another is that a Super Over can end in a draw, when in fact it is repeated until there is a winner in matches that require a result. A third is that a team can bat on after losing two wickets; with only three batters nominated, two wickets ends the innings even if balls remain.
Bottom line
A Super Over is a one-over eliminator that settles a tied limited-overs match: three batters, one bowler, six balls, and the higher score wins. If it is tied, another Super Over is played until a winner emerges, and boundary count no longer plays any part. It turns a deadlocked game into a dramatic sprint finish.
Frequently asked questions
How does a Super Over decide a tied match?
When a limited-overs match finishes level, each side bats one extra over of six balls. Each team names three batters and one bowler, and the team that scores more runs in its Super Over wins the match.
What happens if the Super Over is also tied?
The match is not left drawn. Another Super Over is played immediately, with a fresh set of nominated batters and a bowler, and this repeats until one side scores more than the other in an over.
Is boundary count still used to break ties?
No. Boundary count was removed by the ICC in October 2019, shortly after England won the 2019 World Cup final on that rule. A tied Super Over is now settled by playing another Super Over rather than counting boundaries.
How many wickets can a team lose in a Super Over?
Because only three batters are nominated, an innings ends when the team loses two wickets, or after six legal balls, whichever comes first. Two wickets down means the innings is over.
Which formats use a Super Over?
Super Overs are used in Twenty20 and one-day international cricket and in franchise leagues, most often in knockout matches where a result is required. Some group-stage games may allow a tie to stand, depending on the competition’s rules.