Seven Tips for Chasing Big Targets
Know the run rate you need. Don't lose wickets early. Keep one set batter until the end. The rest is calm choices, one ball at a time.
1. Know your required rate
Check it every over. It tells you if you can wait or must go.
If the required rate is under eight, you can build. If it climbs past twelve, you need boundaries. Most players only look at the target at the end. Look at it every over instead.
2. Rotate the strike
Singles keep the board moving. They also make bowlers change their plan and field.
A run off every ball is ten runs in an over without a risky shot. Many chases are won this way.
3. Respect the first few overs
The new ball is the most dangerous. It swings, bounces and finds edges.
Get through the first six overs with your wickets. After that, the ball is softer and the bowlers are less sharp.
4. Target one bowler
Don't attack everyone. Find the weakest bowler and go after him.
How do you spot him? He gives away runs in his first over, or he bowls short and wide. Once you find him, hit him harder than the rest.
5. Keep wickets in hand
Wickets are your fuel for the last four overs.
- Six or more wickets in hand: you can go hard.
- Four wickets: take care.
- Two wickets: you must build, not hit.
The number of wickets shapes how freely you can play.
6. Don't chase the ball
A ball outside off stump that you can't reach is not worth the risk. Leave it.
A dot ball costs one run. A wicket costs much more. Choose your shots and let the wide ones go.
A quick checklist for the start of a chase
Before the first ball, run through this list.
- What is the target?
- What is the required rate?
- Who is my finisher?
- Where is the field weak?
- What is my plan for the first over?
It takes ten seconds and sets your head.
What to do when a partnership forms
If two batters settle in, do not waste it.
- Keep the strike moving.
- Hit the weakest bowler.
- Save a wicket for the last overs.
A good partnership can turn a chase around.
Learn from lost chases
After a lost chase, look at one thing: did you lose wickets early, or did you run out of balls? The answer shows what to fix.
Build a mini-checklist
Put these five words in your head: rate, wickets, bowler, field, finisher. Check each one every two overs.
If all five look fine, keep going. If one looks bad, adjust. It is a quiet way to stay in control.
7. Practise chases on purpose
Play a few friendly chases to learn your own timing.
Set a target of 150. Try to win with five overs left. Then try 180. Each step builds your confidence. For a detailed T20 plan, read the 200-run chase guide.
And if you want to hit more sixes in the end overs, our six-hitting guide helps.
Quick questions
What if I'm six wickets down?
Slow down, take singles and look for the tail to give you a few boundaries. Don't swing at everything.