In what comes as a significant change of rules, captains in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will now be allowed to walk with two different team sheets. In this way, they can hand over the sheet to the opposition captain after knowing whether they are bowling or batting first.
The IPL organisers feel that this rule will allow the ten franchises participating in the competition to pick their best XIs irrespective of other factors like dew. This isn't the first time such a rule will be implemented in a T20 league. Previously, the IPL-modelled SA20 also incorporated this rule in its inaugural season.
While the previous rules meant the skippers of the both teams had to exchange team sheets before the toss, this time around they will do that just after the toss.
IPL 2023 Set To Commence On March 31
The move also lessen the impact of toss which was pointed out by SA 20's director and former South African captain Graeme Smith.
IPL 2023 this year is all set to commence on March 31 with defending champions Gujarat Titans set to take on Chennai Super Kings in the tournament opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This is set to be the first match which will see this new rule change in practice.
In other major changes, an over-rate penalty of only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle for each bowler that is bowled after the stipulated time is over will be imposed from this year. In addition, "unfair movement" by a fielder or a wicketkeeper will result in a dead ball and a penalty of five runs as per the latest rules.
IPL will return to its traditional home and away format this year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organisers to restrict the competition to less number of venues in the last few seasons to reduce the risk of the transmission of the virus associated with travelling.