IPL 2021: BCCI changes playing conditions for the upcoming season

The biggest cricketing carnival of India, the Indian Premier League (IPL) will commence on 9th April 2021. And, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now stated that there will be some rule changes ahead of the 2021 season of the IPL.

The BCCI has stated that every team must mandatorily complete their quota of 20 overs within 90 minutes. The BCCI further added that the minimum over rate that has to be achieved in all IPL matches is 14.11 overs per hour. The two time-outs in the innings that will consume a total of 5 minutes have also been included in the stipulated 90 minutes. Previously, the 20th over was to start on or before the 90th minute.

Also, if there is any delay or interruption of any kind during the match, then 4 minutes and 15 seconds will be deducted for every over reduced.

“As a measure to control the match timings, the 20th over in each innings is now included in 90 minutes, earlier the 20th over was to start on or before the 90th minute. The minimum over rate to be achieved in IPL Matches shall be 14.11 overs per hour (ignoring the time taken by time-outs). In uninterrupted matches, this means that the 20th over should finish within 90 minutes (being 85 minutes of playing time plus 5 minutes of time-out) of the start of the innings. For delayed or interrupted matches where an innings is scheduled to be less than 20 overs, the maximum time of 90 minutes shall be reduced by 4 minutes 15 seconds for every over by which the innings is reduced,” states the BCCI rule as per Cricbuzz.

Soft Signal rule to be modified as well by BCCI

Also, there is a major change coming in regarding the soft signal rule as well. Now, the rule states that if the on-field umpires want the assistance of the third umpire, both the officiating umpires should consult with each other and then only take the decision upstairs. The rule also adds that only the bowler’s end umpire should take the decision to the third umpire.

The third umpire will then determine whether the batsman is Out or Not Out. Also, in case of a catch, the third umpire will use all the technological resources at his disposal and then arrive at his decision.

“Should both on-field umpires require assistance from the third umpire to make a decision, the bowler’s end umpire shall firstly take a decision on-field after consulting with the striker’s end umpire, before consulting by two-way radio with the third umpire. Such consultation shall be initiated by the bowler’s end umpire to the third umpire by making the shape of a TV screen with his/her hands. The third umpire shall determine whether the batsman has been caught, whether the delivery was a bump ball, or if the batsman wilfully obstructed the field. In case of a fair catch, the third umpire will use all the technological support available to him/her. The third umpire shall communicate his/her decision,” the BCCI rule added.

However, the Umpire’s Call rule will continue. The BCCI stated that the Umpire’s Call rule comes within the Decision Review System (DRS), and the decision taken by the bowler’s end umpire will stay when the ball-tracking technology indicates a ‘marginal’ decision.

“Umpire’s Call is the concept within the DRS under which the on-field decision of the bowler’s end umpire shall stand, which shall apply under the specific circumstances where the ball-tracking technology indicates a marginal decision in respect of either the Impact Zone or the Wicket Zone (sic),” concluded the BCCI source.

Also, the final decision regarding a ‘short run’ call will also be taken by the third umpire.