What is Run Rate and How it is Calculated?
If you watch cricket matches, you often come across the term Run Rate. If you are a newbie, it’s totally confusing to you. Also, it is hard to understand on what basis the run rate is calculated. Don’t worry, this article will help you to know everything about the Run rate and how it is calculated.
Before knowing how to calculate the Run rate in cricket, first know what Run Rate is.
The run rate refers to the typical number of runs scored by a batting team per over. Many people will consider run rate means runs scored by a batting team. But it is not right. Run rate only calculates the average number of runs. So, don’t confuse the Run Rate and Runs scored by a batting team.
And the next thing that comes to our mind is how the run rate is calculated in cricket. It is quite simple.
The Run rate is calculated by dividing the total number of runs scored by the batting team by the total number of overs bowled by the bowling team during an inning period.
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Let’s see an example.
Just imagine India and Australia playing a One Day International Match. Now India is batting first and scored runs in the first ten overs. Now, guess the run rate for India after 10 overs.
Let’s go back to the formula and use it to calculate the run rate. The total number of runs scored by the batting team India is 70 and the total number of overs bowled by the bowling team Australia is 10. So here, we have to divide the 70/10. So, the run rate of Team India after 10 overs is 7. It means that the run rate of India is 7 runs per over.
Now let’s see about Good Run Rates in Cricket. The Run rates usually differ based on the format of the game that is being played.
Generally, A Good run rate in the test match is considered about 3.5 to 4 runs per over whereas, the average run rate per over is considered as 6 in One Day International matches. But in a T20 cricket match, the run rate of 7 to 8 is considered a good run rate.
So the run rate is totally based on the format of the game. But actually, we can not say a single answer for the good run rate. Here we can conclude that the Run rate is higher when compared to other formats.
A good run rate metric has evolved over years. Before 15 to 20 years, the run rate of 5 runs per over was considered as a good run rate. But everything has changed today. This change is mostly after the onset of the T20 matches.
Apart from this, a good run rate is also determined based on the condition of the match and the nature of the pitch. Suppose If the pitch is dry and slow, the run rate can be lower. Likewise, If the condition of the pitch is dry and slow, even a run rate of 5 runs per over in a One Day International match is considered a good run rate.
Is the Economy Rate The Same as the Run Rate?
You have heard many times about the Economy rate but what does it mean? Is it the same as the run rate? Let’s see about that.
Economy rate means the total number of runs scored per over conceded by a bowler. Generally, the run rate is calculated by the rate of scoring of the batting team whereas the Economy rate focuses on the performance of a bowler.
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Required Run Rate
If you decided to learn about the Run rate then you should also know about the Required Run rate. It is very simple. Required Run rate refers to the run rate that needs to be scored by the batting team in the second innings to win the game.
This Required Run rate is calculated by the exact opposite method of calculating the run rate.
Net Run Rate
Net Run Rate is another important thing in the cricket world. This helps to identify which team is qualified for the next game when two or more teams have equal scores. You may seen Net Run Rates in the point tables.
I hope now you are clear about Run Rate and how to calculate it. Apart from that, other terms related to the Run Rate also have the same importance as the Run rate.
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