T20 WC 2021: What is NRR and how its calculations are done

NRR- Net run rate has always been of vital importance in the tournament as the final decision between the team standing on the same pedestals is taken on its basis. After playing its part in IPL, NRR has become the major talking point in the ongoing T20 World Cup too. The fans got to see its importance once again after South Africa failed to qualify for the semi-final while having equal points to that of Australia and England in Group 1.

All Australia, England, and South Africa had lost one game each in the tournament after their final league games but Proteas lost the race due to a lesser NRR. Hence, the first group saw Australia and England qualifying for the next round but the same fight for NRR is still on in the second group which has India.

Though India currently has the best NRR in the group, they need another massive win and other mathematical calculations to better up their chances. However, let’s first take a look at the formula by which NRR is calculated. It has to be noted that the number of victories still stand first in line followed by the NRR to decide the qualifications of the team.

The important NRR mathematical formula

NRR= (Total runs scored ÷ Total overs faced) – (Total runs conceded ÷ Total overs bowled)

Let’s take a look at India’s perspective in T20 World Cup in their games so far-

Runs scored

151/7 in 20 overs vs Pakistan

110/7 in 20 overs vs New Zealand

210/2 in 20 overs vs Afghanistan

89/2 in 6.3 overs vs Scotland

This calculation makes 560 runs in 66.5 overs which means 560 ÷ 66.5 (first part of the formula) =8.421

Note- wickets are not taken into consideration while counting NRR, if a team is all out before 20 overs, the full 20 overs are taken into account otherwise number of overs played are counted.

Runs conceded against Opponents

152/0 in 17.5 overs vs Pakistan

111/2 in 14.3 overs vs New Zealand

144/7 in 20 overs vs Afghanistan

85/10 in 17.4 overs vs Scotland

This calculation makes 492 runs ÷ 72 overs (second part of formula) = 6.802

8.421 – 6.802 = 1.619 (India’s current NRR)

How NRR will play part in India’s qualification for Semi-final?

For NRR to play part in Group 2, Afghanistan will first have to defeat New Zealand. If NZ wins, they will automatically qualify on more wins. However, if NZ loses, Afghanistan will gain two more points and stand equal to New Zealand and India (if they win against Namibia).

Now, with three teams at equal wins, India’s chances are brightest as their NRR is highest and if AFG defeats NZ by a big margin and they better up their NRR of 1.48 (current), India will still have a chance to level up through their last league game against Namibia by winning it massively.

Source – TOI