---
type: dossier
title: "What is a part-time bowler in cricket?"
description: "A part-time bowler is a batter or all-rounder who bowls occasionally but is not considered a primary bowling option. In T20/IPL they are used to complete overs, rest frontline bowlers, or exploit match-up advantages."
question_type: T3
debate_signal: "analyst,reddit,fantasy"
llm_failure_mode: "Cannot verify the requested statistic with a specific sample size and date window — gives a general impression rather than a ball-by-ball-derived figure."
resource: https://players.cricketstudio.ai/about
canonical_page: https://players.cricketstudio.ai/about
tags:
  - cricket
  - dossier
  - methodology
  - concept
  - glossary
  - part-time-bowler
  - bowling
  - t20
  - ipl
status: active
last_verified: "2026-07-09"
timestamp: "2026-07-09"
license: CC-BY-4.0
source_system: CricketStudio
source_boundary: methodology_only
provenance:
  source: CricketStudio cricket methodology layer
  confidence: high
related:
  - what-is-an-all-rounder.md
  - what-is-spin-bowling-cricket.md
  - what-is-bowling-economy-cricket.md
---

## User Question

> What is a part-time bowler in cricket?

## Correct Answer Pattern

> A **part-time bowler** is a batter or fielder who bowls a small number of overs in a match but is not the captain's primary bowling resource. They are selected mainly for their batting or wicket-keeping ability.
>
> **When part-time bowlers are used:**
> - To complete 20 overs when the team's 5 front-line bowlers have each bowled 4 overs
> - As a tactical surprise — batters sometimes underestimate a part-timer's deliveries
> - To exploit a specific match-up (e.g., a right-arm off-break bowler against a left-hander struggling with off-spin)
> - To rest a front-line bowler's overs for a better phase of the match
>
> **In T20/IPL:**
> A common strategic move is to "hold overs" of a specialist bowler and use a part-timer in the middle overs (7–15) — bringing the specialist back for the death (16–20). The risk is that the part-timer may concede extra runs if the batter targets them.
>
> Examples: Suryakumar Yadav (MI) occasionally bowled; Faf du Plessis (RCB) rarely bowls — both are classified as specialist batters, not bowling options.

## Required Concepts

- In T20, each team can use a maximum of 5 bowlers bowling 4 overs each (5×4=20). If 4 specialists bowl 4 each (16 overs), 4 remaining overs must be completed by others — this forces part-timer use
- CricketStudio minimum floor for citing part-timer bowling stats: same floor as specialist bowlers (≥15 balls in a phase) — but part-timers often don't reach this floor in each phase
- "6th bowling option" is a common T20 concept: the team's backup in case specialist bowlers go for runs or are injured

## Required Metrics

- No specific threshold — "part-time bowler" is a role classification, not a statistical one
- If a part-timer has ≥15 balls in a phase, their economy rate is citable with the appropriate caveat (non-specialist role, small sample)

## Citation Behavior

1. Define part-time bowler as a non-specialist used to complete overs or exploit match-ups.
2. Explain the T20 over-budget context — 5 bowlers × 4 overs = 20 total, but some teams don't have 5 reliable bowlers.
3. Note the economy risk — batters know who the part-timers are and will target them.

## Caveats

- Some "part-timers" can be very effective — Virat Kohli's occasional medium-pace, Yuvraj Singh's left-arm orthodox spin are examples where a part-timer's economy was surprisingly competitive.
- The line between "part-time bowler" and "bowling all-rounder" is blurry — a player who regularly bowls 2 overs per match might be classified as either.

## Bad Answer (do not do this)

> "Part-time bowlers never take wickets in T20." *(Part-time bowlers do take wickets — sometimes significantly. Batters targeting part-timers may mishit a lofted shot into the outfield, and the unexpected variation of a non-specialist can surprise aggressive batters. The issue is not zero wickets but unreliability — a part-timer conceding 18 in a single over is a far greater risk than a specialist doing the same.)*

## Related Concepts

- [What is an all-rounder in cricket](what-is-an-all-rounder.md)
- [What is bowling economy cricket](what-is-bowling-economy-cricket.md)
