5 new additions that can improve the IPL

Indian Premier League is arguably one of the biggest cricket league in the world. The cash-rich league came into picture back in 2008 and it has progressed to an extent in terms of viewership, grandeur and fan following. There is no doubt that it has reaped out lots of success as every big and high-profile player wants to be its part for every season.

The league has not made many big amendments in its rules in any scenario. And, the authorities are organizing it with this same formula that they opted way back in 2008. Each team plays a total of seven games followed by the playoffs and then the finals. It looks like the fans have got bored watching the same format since more than a decade now.

Looking forward to the other sports leagues, they consistently come out with some new ideas that can attract more audience. Moreover, they have got lots of success in doing so. Now, its high time that IPL cricket council should come out with some innovative ideas in order to give a fresh face to the tournament.

There are many suggestions kept on their table. However, the steps should be taken keeping the mindset of the fans in mind. Actually, everyone wants to watch enthralling encounters between the teams and the ideas should also be generated around that borderline only.

Let’s check out the things that IPL can opt to make it more interesting:

1. Warm-up games

In football, the friendly games are being played ahead of the initial tournament gets kicked off. Likewise, the management can opt for a small window of warm-up games between the IPL teams that will give a teaser to the fans before the tournament gets initiated. It would be fascinating for the fans to watch their players playing without any pressure of losing any points. And, it will surely help them in gaining their best form.

Even, this step will offer an opportunity to every team in order to find their perfect combination going into the tournament. Otherwise, each franchise takes at least a couple of games at the beginning to find their perfect XI for the tournament. This also gives a boost to the rivalries between the teams.

The players will also get the benefits from the same as they will get a couple of games at least to get into the groove. Hence, they can come out with some brilliant performances in the cash-rich league.

2. More teams

Indian Premier League (IPL) consists of a total of eight teams that lock horns for the prestigious trophy. Since the tournament came into the existence, only the aforementioned number of franchises take part in it. But, IPL cricket council will have to understand the need of the hour.

Now, IPL has established itself into a brand. And, there is a lot of scope for adding more teams in the tournament. It will potentially help them in the growth of the league. This suggestion has been in the spotlight for long. But, the authorities are yet to introduce news teams in the tournament.

IPL is one of the fastest and competitive cricket league in the world. And, the inclusion of more teams will surely give a boost to the competition of another level. A new team will obviously bring, a new setup along with them and a fanbase from their region. This will give a spark to a whole new rivalry that is expected to be the biggest plus for introducing more teams.

3. Strategic substitute

A strategic substitute is one of the rules that if injected in the tournament, then it will surely change the whole dimension of any game. Like for example, if a batting team needs more runs off fewer balls and the batsmen on the field feel that it is difficult for him to do it, he can ask for a substitute.

So, he can ask for any batsman from the dugout to come out and play. But, only that player will come out to bat who has not yet batted in the match from their team. And, this rule can be used once by a batsman in the match

In nail-biting encounters, this can turn out to be a game-changer for a team that has been lagging in the match. This will surely increase the competitiveness in the games and no team can take a sigh of relief until the final ball being bowled in the games.

4. Bonus points 

In IPL, a team winning the game gets a total of two points. In case of the match getting washed out, both the teams share points equally. But, adding to it, the authorities can include a bonus point system as well. And, it can change the whole scenario of the tournament for every team.

Like a team winning the games by huge margins should be awarded a couple of bonus points. This rule is introduced in many domestic leagues in South Africa, Australia and many more. But, it has not been added yet in the cash-rich league.

This will work as a ray of hope for every team that didn’t get off to a great start to their tournament. A couple of big wins against their opponents can bring back into the race of playoffs. This will make the race for qualifying into the playoffs more intense than before. Also, the fans can also remain hopeful of their team qualifying into the advanced stage of the cash-rich league.

5. 3-over shoot out

As far as the current rules are concerned, if the match ends on a draw, then the teams are asked to play a tie-breaking super over. It is done to get a winner in the match. In simple words, the fate of the game is decided on the back of six balls against three batsmen of the opponent.

What if the authorities tinker it a bit by making it a three-over shoot out. If the winner is not decided in 20 overs, then both the teams should be asked to play another three overs in the match. In that case, the fielding team will be asked to use at least two bowlers against their opponents.

This will give both the teams equal opportunity to fight for a victory. In six balls, things are so quick that none of the players gets enough time to think about what they can implement to make their side win. It will make a heck of a difference in the nail-biting games. And, fans will get a game worth every penny that they spent on the tickets.