In an effort to provide a more even playing field between bat and ball, bowlers will be permitted to deliver two bouncers every over in the IPL 2024. This modification to the playing conditions was tested out in the domestic T20 competition in India, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, in 2023–2024.
The adjustment has been welcomed by Saurashtra veteran Jaydev Unadkat, who has played for several IPL teams and has set his base price at INR 50 lakh (about USD 60,000) for the IPL 2024 auction.
“I do feel two bouncers an over is very much useful, and I feel it’s one of those things which gives the bowler an added advantage over batsmen,” Unadkat stated to ESPNcricinfo. Because, in the event that I bowl a slower bouncer, for instance, the batter in the preceding instance is certain that no more bouncers will be coming. In this instance, you can still use one more bouncer [during the over] even if you bowl one slower one in the early part of it. It will force someone who struggles against bouncers to improve, giving the bowler an additional tool in their toolbox. Thus, in my opinion, it’s a very minor adjustment with a significant effect, and as a bowler, I think the rule is crucial.”
Fast bowlers would now have more alternatives to attempt to rein in batsmen at the end of the game, Unadkat continued. “Also in the death overs, you have one more option,” he stated. “Therefore, fast bowlers were increasingly using yorker-oriented bowling in death overs.” Since there are two bouncers per over, it cannot be a yorker, slower ball, or bouncers. The batsman still expects that the bowler will bowl the second bouncer even if you don’t bowl it.”
The Impact Player rule, which debuted in the 2023 Indian Premier League, will not be modified. This rule requires a side to list four substitutes at the toss in addition to the playing XI. Any one of the four substitutes can be their Impact Player.
A team can only select an Indian as the Impact Player if their starting XI includes four foreign players. This is in keeping with the IPL’s long-standing policy of allowing no more than four foreign players per team every game. Nonetheless, a team may select an international player to serve as the Impact Player if they begin with three or fewer foreign players in their starting lineup. However, the new foreign player ought to be one of the four replacements announced during the toss.
Allrounders’ value has been considerably lessened by the Impact Player rule, since players like Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, and Venkatesh Iyer primarily played as hitters for their teams last season.
The trading window is already closed, but it will reopen the day after the mini-auction on December 20. It will stay open for a maximum of one month until the 2024 season starts.
The definitive schedule for the 2024 Indian Premier League will be revealed when the Election Commission has finalized the polling dates for India’s general elections. The league is expected to play between March 22 and the end of May.
