BCCI Makes Major Changes To Playing Conditions Ahead Of IPL 2022: Report

If a team is unable to field a playing XI, that match will be rescheduled later. If even later the match does not happen, then the matter will be referred to the technical committee.

IPL Auction, Representative Image. Pic Courtesy: BCCI / IPL

New Delhi: The 15th edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to start on March 26. Ahead of IPL 2022, BCCI has made some big changes to the playing conditions, Cricbuzz reported. The most prominent of these is the change made to the rule about a team not being able to field a playing XI due to any kind of Coronavirus situation in the team.

If a team is unable to field a playing XI, that match will be rescheduled later. If even later the match does not happen, then the matter will be referred to the technical committee. Also, a team can now take two DRS referrals instead of one, per innings.

"Unable to field a team on account of COVID for any match due to having less than 12 players available in the playing XI (of which at least 7 must be Indian) plus 1 substitute fielder.

"The BCCI, at its discretion, will attempt to reschedule the match for later in the season. If this is not possible, the issue will be referred to the IPL Technical Committee. The decision of the IPL Technical Committee will be final and binding." This is a shift from the previous rule which said that the board "will attempt to reschedule the match for later in the season. If this is not possible, the franchise will be deemed to have lost the match with its opponent being awarded 2 points," a BCCI communique was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

The second most important change in IPL 2022 is about DRS. According to the new rule, according to the BCCI, the number of DRS in each innings has been increased from one to two.

The BCCI has taken this decision in support of a recent suggestion by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) that the new batsman has to come on strike, even if the batter is in the middle of the crease during the catch.

In another major change, the team that finishes higher in the league will be adjudged winners in case of a Super Over to break a tie in the playoffs/finals is not possible.