With less than 10 days left for the start of the 14th edition of the IPL (Indian Premier League), the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has issued new playing conditions for the cash-rich tournament.
The BCCI has issued two major changes for IPL 2021. There will be no soft signal and the innings break must take place at the 90th minute.
NO SOFT SIGNAL
As per the new playing conditions issued by the BCCI for IPL 2021, there will be no provision of soft signal by the on-field umpires.
As per the new rule, the on-field umpire’s soft signal will not have any bearing on the third umpire’s decision.
“The on-field umpire giving soft signal while referring the decision to the third umpire will not be applicable,” the BCCI stated.
BCCI added, “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.”
“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.”
Notably, many in the cricketing fraternity have been vocal about abolishment of soft signal in cricket.
However, the BCCI has decided that the concept of ‘Umpire’s Call’ will continue during the course of IPL 2021.
“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.”
INNINGS BREAK
As per the new playing conditions issued by the BCCI for IPL 2021, innings break would take place at the 90th minute.
The BCCI said the 20th over of an innings must be finished in 90 minutes. Previously, the 20th over was to start by the 90th minute.
The revised playing conditions have been circulated to all the franchise taking part in IPL 2021.
The BCCI said: “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.”
BCCI added, “The minimum over rate to be achieved in IPL Matches shall be 14.11 overs per hour.”
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“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.” BCCI informed.