IPL 2022 will see some major changes to the playing conditions, notably an alteration to the rule about the inability to field a XI in the event of a COVID situation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the matter will be referred to the technical committee if rescheduling the match is not possible.
On Monday (March 14), the BCCI said: “Unable to field a team due to COVID due to having fewer than 12 players available in the playing XI (at least 7 of whom must be Indian) plus 1 substitute fielder.
In case of a postponement, “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, whose decision is final and binding.” This is a change from the previous rule which stated 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.”
In addition, the number of referrals (DRS) has been increased from one to two, which is the second-most important addition to the playing conditions. The number of reviews in an innings has been increased from one to two, the BCCI said, and it backed the recent Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) suggestion that the new batsman will have to take the strike even if the middle batsmen crossover during a catch.
In the event of a catch dismissal, regardless of whether the batsmen have crossed or not, the incoming batsman will take the strike, unless it is the last ball of the over, the BCCI informed the teams.
