IPL New Rules: The 16th season of IPL kicks off today, March 31st. The Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans will face off at 7:30 pm at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, featuring new elements that cricket fans can look forward to. This season, the IPL has implemented some significant changes to its rules, including alterations to when captains must share their playing-11 lineup and the use of DRS. In addition, a new rule known as the Impact Player rule has been introduced. These three rule changes are expected to make the IPL even more captivating and engaging for audiences.
Sharing of playing-11 to be allowed after the toss.
Until now, cricket teams have always been required to reveal their playing-11 lineup prior to the toss. However, in this year’s IPL, team management and captains will have a new option. Following the toss, teams will be able to select their playing-11 from two lists provided by the captain. One list will contain the names of players to be included in the playing-11 if the team is bowling first, while the other list will include names of players for batting first. Both lists will include five substitute players, one of whom can be selected as the impact player.
DRS scope expanded.
Previously in cricket, DRS was only used to review decisions of ‘out’ or ‘not out’. However, in IPL 2023, teams will have the ability to challenge umpire decisions regarding wide and no balls using the DRS. This change was implemented in response to past controversies, such as when Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant suggested calling back his batsman after the umpire did not call a no-ball. This rule change is expected to make matches more interesting, though the number of DRS reviews available per innings remains the same. Therefore, teams must use the available DRS reviews to challenge wide and no ball decisions.
Introduction of the Impact Player Rule.
Although the BCCI had introduced this rule in domestic cricket last year, it will be implemented for the first time in IPL. This rule allows teams to replace one player with another in the middle of the match. However, teams are permitted to bring only one impact player into the game. During the toss, the captain will need to name five substitute players in addition to the playing-11, and one of these substitutes can be designated as the impact player. To bring the impact player onto the field, the captain must inform either the field umpire or the fourth umpire.
