🏏 How Long Is a Cricket Match? – Complete Guide for New Fans

How Long Is a Cricket Match:-
Cricket is enjoyed worldwide, from India to Australia, England to South Africa, with millions of fans watching, cheering, and even betting live. Each over, every wicket, and every boundary brings a new wave of excitement that keeps fans engaged throughout the match.
Knowing the time required for each format helps you better enjoy the experience—whether you’re watching casually or playing fantasy games online.
And thanks to platforms like 11xgame, cricket lovers can now watch live scores, bet on their favorite teams, and take part in thrilling prediction games—all in one place. Whether it’s a lazy Sunday Test match or a fast-paced evening T20, 11xgame makes it more exciting and rewarding.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know in the simplest way possible!
Cricket is more than just a sport. It’s a perfect blend of strategy, suspense, skill, and raw emotion. If you’re new to cricket, you might find yourself wondering:
How long does a cricket match last?
Great question! The answer depends on the format of the game.
In this article, we’ll explain everything in a simple way — from the types of matches to how many hours each one takes. And if you’re looking for a platform to enjoy or bet on live cricket, 11xgame has you covered!
🔰 Cricket Has Three Main Formats:
Cricket comes in three exciting formats:
- Test Matches – the most traditional and longest-running format in cricket.
- One Day Internationals (ODIs) – balanced and exciting, lasts around 8 hours.
- Twenty20 (T20) Matches – action-packed and exciting, wrapping up in just around 3 hours.

Let’s explore each one in detail.
⌛ 1. Test Match Duration – How Long Does It Last?
🕒 Time: 5 Days
🧮 Overs: No fixed limit per innings
🎯 Format: Two innings per team
A Test match is like a marathon. It’s the most prestigious and classic format of cricket, spanning five days of tactical play and intense action.
Each day includes around 90 overs and typically runs for 6 hours, split into three sessions:
- Morning session: 2 hours
- Lunch break: 40 minutes
- Afternoon session: 2 hours
- Tea break: 20 minutes
- Evening session: 2 hours
So, a full Test match = 5 days × 6 hours = 30 hours of pure cricket!
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⏳ 2. One Day International (ODI) – What’s the Duration?
🕒 Time: 7 to 8 Hours
🧮 Overs: 50 overs per side
🎯 Format: One innings per team
ODIs are completed in a single day, typically starting in the morning or afternoon and wrapping up by evening. Each team plays 50 overs, making it a 100-over match in total.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Each team takes around 3.5 hours to play its 50 overs.
- There’s a 40-minute break between innings.
⏱ Total Duration: 3.5 hours + 40 min + 3.5 hours = ~8 hours
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⚡ 3. T20 Match Timing – The Shortest and Most Thrilling
🕒 Time: ~3 Hours
🧮 Overs: 20 overs per side
🎯 Format: One innings per team
T20 cricket is high-energy, thrilling, and ideal for those who love short, action-packed games.
With just 20 overs per team, the match usually lasts about 3 hours, including a 15–20 minute break between innings.
- 1st innings: ~1 hour 15 minutes
- Break: ~15 minutes
- 2nd innings: ~1 hour 15 minutes
⏱ Total Duration: Around 3 hours
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📌 Factors That Can Affect Match Duration
Sometimes, matches don’t go as planned. Here are some reasons a game might go longer (or shorter):
Factor | Impact on Duration |
🛑 Rain or bad weather | Delays or reduces overs |
🚶♂️ Slow over rate | Teams taking too much time to bowl overs |
🧢 Extra innings | Super Overs in T20 matches (for tie-breaks) |
🌅 Lighting issues | Early stops in day matches or delays |
🩹 Injuries | Time-outs or interruptions |
🧠 Want a Quick Answer?
Here’s a summary table of cricket match durations:
Format | Overs | Match Duration |
Test | Unlimited | Up to 5 Days (30 hrs) |
ODI | 50 per team | 7–8 Hours |
T20 | 20 per team | ~3 Hours |

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🎯 Cricket Formats Explained for Beginners
Still confused between the formats? Think of it like this:
- Test Match: Like a 5-day chess game. Ideal for traditional fans.
- ODI: Like a full-length movie. Balanced, exciting, perfect for family viewing.
- • T20: Like a high-octane highlight reel — fast, fiery, and packed with excitement!
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🎮 How Many Overs Are There in Each Format?
Format | Overs per Side | Total Overs |
Test | No fixed limit | Depends on play |
ODI | 50 | 100 |
T20 | 20 | 40 |
🧮 Each over has 6 legal deliveries (balls), so you can calculate the number of balls too.
💬 FAQs – Your Cricket Time Doubts, Answered!
Q1. How long is a T20 match usually?
👉 Around 3 hours, including a short break.
Q2. Can a Test match end earlier than 5 days?
👉 Yes! If one team dominates, the match may end on Day 3 or 4.
Q3. Where can I watch or bet on cricket safely?
👉 11xgame is a secure, user-friendly platform for watching and playing cricket games online.
Q4. Why do some matches have extra time?
👉 Extra time happens due to rain delays, tie-breakers, or slow play.

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🚀 Final Words – Cricket Is For Everyone!
Whether it’s the long, strategic battles of a Test or the fast-paced thrill of a T20, cricket offers something for every kind of fan.
And now that you know how long each type of match lasts, you can plan your day (or week) accordingly.
Cricket is more than just a sport. It’s a celebration of strategy, patience, thrill, and emotion. “However, if you’re just getting into the game, you might ask yourself:”
How long does a cricket match last?
Great question! The answer depends on the format of the game—some last for a few hours, while others stretch across five days!
Cricket is played and loved in over 100 countries, with fans tuning in from all corners of the world.
Whether you’re watching it with family on TV or placing live bets on platforms like 11xgame, understanding the length of the match helps you plan your time and enjoy the experience better.
From the long battles of Test matches to the short and explosive T20s, each format brings its own flavor.
In this guide, we’ll break it down in simple words—so you can follow along, learn easily, and maybe even win big on 11xgame!
📱 Plus, with 11xgame, the fun never stops! You can watch, bet, and win, all in one place — safely and easily.
So next time someone asks “How long is a cricket match?”, you’ll have the perfect answer.