The International Cricket Council is considering reducing the innings break in T20 Internationals from 20 minutes to 15 minutes in an effort to make matches faster and maintain the format’s high-paced entertainment value.
According to reports, the proposed change would mean the second innings of a T20I would now begin just 15 minutes after the end of the first innings instead of the current 20-minute interval. The move is aimed at ensuring matches finish more quickly while keeping the game aligned with the fast-moving nature of modern T20 cricket.
Several leading franchise tournaments around the world already follow a 15-minute innings break, and in rain-affected matches, the interval is sometimes shortened further to 10 minutes. The ICC is now exploring a similar structure for international cricket.
Under existing playing conditions, there is a mandatory 20-minute interval between innings. However, current rules already allow match referees to reduce the break to a minimum of 10 minutes in cases involving lengthy delays or weather interruptions before the completion of the first innings.
The shorter break would leave teams with less time to rest, regroup, discuss strategy and prepare for the chase. Despite that, cricket administrators believe the move could help maintain viewer engagement and reduce overall match duration.
The proposal is still under consideration and has not yet been officially implemented by the ICC.