The 2024 Indian Premier League season will continue to follow the current domestic cricket playing conditions, which allow bowlers two bouncers per over. This is a significant change from past seasons, when bowlers were only allowed one short ball.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), an interstate national T20 event in the BCCI domestic calendar, saw the introduction of the second bouncer rule by the BCCI earlier this year. The Board has now chosen to uphold this regulation for the Indian Premier League as well.
To put things in perspective, the International Cricket Council (ICC) permits two bouncers in Test and One Day International (ODI) matches, but only one short ball in T20 Internationals.
Former India bowler Laxmipathy Balaji, a former bowling coach of the Chennai Super Kings, told Cricbuzz, “It’s an excellent move.” It will be a useful addition to fast bowlers’ toolkit and provide bowlers, captains, and coaching staff something to consider while planning a strategy for a specific batsman. Additionally, it will greatly improve the balance of the bat-ball competition.”
Balaji emphasized that as a match progresses, the role of the second bouncer may become increasingly important. In the final overs, bowlers frequently turn to yorkers. They now have one more choice. It will be thrilling to watch the matches since the IPL features elite fast bowlers,” Balaji continued.
The BCCI will uphold the regulation of looking for a catch when a stumping referral is being made in another noteworthy scenario. Usually, the on-field umpire’s referral reviews stumping calls. Although BCCI authorities feel that it would be unjust to the fielding side to not look for a catch prior to a stumping, this playing condition deviates from ICC norms.
When looking for stumping, it could happen that the bat appears to have contacted the ball. The third umpire is not allowed to call the batsman out under ICC regulations. That would not be just. Therefore, the BCCI has chosen to stick with the previous regulation,” a board member said.
The two referrals per team and the review of wides and no balls, which were added last year, will remain in place. But as of late, the ICC has made the stop clock regulation permanent for white-ball international matches; hence, there won’t be one in the IPL.
