RCB vs SRH Opener: How DLS Works If Rain Interrupts IPL 2026

The Indian Premier League 2026 season begins with a marquee clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. But with Bengaluru’s weather often unpredictable, there’s a familiar question hovering over the opener: what happens if rain interrupts play?

That’s where the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method (DLS) comes into play, cricket’s system for recalibrating targets when overs are lost.

What is the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) Method in Cricket?

Rain has always been cricket’s most unpredictable opponent. When matches are interrupted, especially in limited-overs formats, the challenge is simple but tricky: how do you reset a fair target?

That’s where the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method (DLS) comes in.

Why Does Cricket Need DLS?

In an ideal world, every match would finish uninterrupted. But in reality:

• Reserve days are rare outside major tournaments
• Matches often lose overs due to rain
• A simple run-rate adjustment can distort fairness

DLS exists to answer one core question:

What is a fair target when both time and batting resources change?

The Core Idea Behind DLS

DLS treats a batting innings like a combination of two resources:

• Overs remaining
• Wickets in hand

The Formula (Simplified)

Revised target = Team 1 score × (Team 2 resources ÷ Team 1 resources)

A Quick Example

• Team 1: 300 runs in 50 overs: 100% resources used
• Team 2: Reduced to 30 overs with 7 wickets left: 70% resources available

New target = 300 × (70/100) = 210 runs

So instead of chasing 301 in 30 overs, Team 2 now has a realistic, context-adjusted target.

Other Methods

• VJD Method: Used in Indian domestic cricket but not recognised by the ICC
• DL Standard Edition: Outdated, used without computers

Published on Mar 26, 2026