As the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) begins, cricket fans nationwide are excited for another thrilling tournament. Ten teams will compete for the prestigious title, with the season opener featuring defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bangalore at the famous Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Saliva Ban Lifted:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to allow players to use saliva again to shine the cricket ball, a practice banned during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) made the ban permanent in 2022, IPL captains recently agreed in a meeting in Mumbai to bring it back for the tournament.
New Ball Rule for Evening Matches:
To tackle the issue of high scores in evening games, the BCCI has introduced a new rule. Umpires can now bring in a new ball after the 11th over of the second innings if they feel that dew is affecting the game too much. However, this rule won’t be used in afternoon matches.
Improved Decision Review System (DRS):
The DRS has been upgraded to make match decisions fairer. Players can now challenge height and off-side wide deliveries using DRS. However, leg-side wide calls will still be decided by the on-field umpires.
Impact Player Rule Stays:
Despite some criticism, the BCCI has decided to keep the Impact Player rule. This allows teams to use 12 players instead of the usual 11, giving them more flexibility in strategy.
With these changes, fans are excited to see how the new rules will shape the game. Cricket lovers across India are eagerly waiting for an action-packed IPL season!
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