IPL 2024 new rules: Two bouncers per over to smart replay system

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is gearing up for an electrifying season with several groundbreaking rule changes aimed at elevating the excitement and competitiveness of the tournament. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), captained by MS Dhoni, will begin their title defence against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), led by Faf du Plessis, in the season opener at Chennai's iconic MA Chidambaram stadium on Friday, March 22.

IPL 2024: Full Coverage

While Dhoni last played cricket in the IPL 2023 final, leading the team to victory over the Gujarat Titans, Kohli has been out of action since January of this year. Days before the match, the RCB changed their name, replacing 'Bangalore' with the city's present name, Bengaluru.

TWO BOUNCERS PER OVER

One of the most significant alterations involves allowing bowlers to unleash two bouncers per over, a departure from the previous limit of just one. While T20Is closely adhere to ICC regulations, which allow only one short ball per over, Tests and One Day Internationals (ODIs) allow two bouncers per over.

This strategic tweak aims to level the playing field between bat and ball, offering bowlers a new avenue to challenge batsmen. The decision to implement this rule follows a successful trial in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India's domestic T20 championship, signaling widespread approval from players and officials.

SMART REPLAY SYSTEM

Alongside the introduction of the second bouncer rule, IPL 2024 will unveil the Smart Replay System, a cutting-edge technology set to revolutionize umpiring decisions. Powered by eight high-speed Hawk-Eye cameras stationed around the ground, this system provides real-time images to aid the TV umpire, facilitating quicker and more accurate judgments.

By bypassing the need for a TV broadcast director as an intermediary, the system grants the umpire direct access to a wider array of visuals, including split-screen images. This innovative leap forward is poised to streamline the review process, enhancing the overall efficiency of decision-making during matches.

Moreover, the continuation of the Impact Player rule, introduced in the previous season, allows teams to strategically substitute a player mid-match, injecting an additional layer of tactical depth into the game. The BCCI has decided to keep the provision of verifying a catch when a referral for stumping is requested during IPL 2024 matches. This ruling deviates from ICC norms, which state that the on-field umpire only examines stumping calls.

Notably, while the IPL embraces these progressive changes, it has opted not to adopt the stop clock rule, a departure from recent ICC playing conditions for white-ball international matches.