DLS method stands for Duckworth-Lewis-Stern. The technique is used in the determination of the result in cases when the second batting team has been influenced by disruptions, especially due to rain in limited-overs cricket matches. History and Invention The Duckworth-Lewis method, short-form and often written as D/L method, was first used in a match between Zimbabwe and England in 1996-97. It got approved by the ICC in 1999. It was invented by statisticians Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis. It was later renamed the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, or the DLS method, in November 2014 when Professor Steven Stern took over from Duckworth and Lewis upon their retirement. DLS Method's Purpose The DLS method tries to make the cricket game fair in case a game is interrupted by weather conditions or other incidents. The team batting second has their target score revised according to the resources available to them. Also Read | Top 12 Women Cricketers With Most Hundreds in ODI Difference Between Par Score and Target Score - Par Score: The score that the team batting second should have reached at the time of intervention, had they a particular number of wickets left. It changes depending on how many wickets the team has lost. - Target Score: This is the new score which the team batting second needs to reach after the intervention. It is computed to be based on the resources available post intervention. How the DLS Method Works Calculate Resources There are majorly two factors used by the DLS method in the computation of resources. This includes: - Remaining Overs: The number of Overs left to play. - Remaining Wickets: The number of wickets left to lose. Resource Table Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis worked out a table showing the percentage of resources left depending on these two factors. Image Source: Reddit Target Calculation The formula to work out the new target is as follows Team 2's par score = Team 1's score x Team 2's resources / Team 1's resources This formula adjusts the target with respect to the resources left for the team batting second in relation to the team that batted first. The DLS method alters the target score during interruptions of a cricket match so as to be fair to the resources available for both teams. Example of DLS Method Calculation If in First innings India scores 7/281 in their quota of 50 overs. Following the first innings, rain has stopped play again and reduced the match to 21 overs. 2nd innings play kicks off and Australia merely has to fetch the 164 runs to win. Australia wrap up their batting, setting 9/137 runs in 21 overs. India won by 26 runs according to the Duckworth–Lewis method. Also Read | Who Claims the Trophy if the WTC Final Ends in a Draw?