3 ways IPL 2020 is likely to be different

2019 IPL Final - Mumbai v Chennai
2019 IPL Final - Mumbai v Chennai

The IPL Governing Council, on Tuesday, 5 November, confirmed following a meeting that the auction for the 2020 Indian Premier League season will be held at Kolkata on December 19. The eight franchises have been allotted ₹85 core each to build their teams for next year’s edition. Also, apart from the leftover amount from last year’s auction, the franchises can use an additional ₹3 crore during the auctions. It is also confirmed that the trading window for IPL 2020 will close on November 14.

The idea of a ‘Power Player’, where a team will be able to substitute a player at the fall of a wicket or at the end of an over, was discussed, but will not be implemented for now as the organisers want to test the same in domestic tournaments first, which is not possible as of now.

However, a couple of decisions taken might be implemented in IPL 2020. So, here’s a look at three ways next year’s edition is likely to be different.

#3 No lavish opening ceremony

IPL opening ceremony
IPL opening ceremony

Once an integral part of the tournament, BCCI has decided to completely do away with the extravagant opening ceremony, terming it a waste of money, and an event in which fans don’t seem interested.

“The opening ceremonies are a waste of money. The cricket fans don’t seem to be interested, and the performers have to be paid a lot,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying in a Cricket Next report.

In most of the IPL editions, the opening ceremony has seen performances by famous Bollywood personalities apart from all the captains signing the Spirit of Cricket pledge. However, the ceremony was scrapped for the 2019 edition, and the money for the same was given to families of CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack.

Also see – T10 schedule

#2 Day matches may be reduced

IPL 2019 Eliminator - Delhi v Sunrisers
IPL 2019 Eliminator - Delhi v Sunrisers

In the meeting, the possibility of reducing the number of day matches was discussed. Also, matches could have an early start. However, a final decision on the same has not been made yet. Last month, an Indian Express report claimed that IPL 2020 could be a bit longer as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring the option of more night games.

As per the report, BCCI is working on a plan as per which each team will have to play only one day game in the entire season and also fewer double-headers on weekends. The report also added that BCCI is also keen to have a 7 pm start for evening matches instead of 8 pm.

#1 Specialist umpire for no-balls

Lasith Malinga's no ball that was missed by umpire in IPL 2019
Lasith Malinga's no ball that was missed by umpire in IPL 2019

The biggest takeaway from the IPL Governing Council meeting was the discussion over the possibility of a specialist umpire to only monitor no-balls. It may be recalled that in IPL 2019 there was a big furore after the umpire failed to spot a no-ball from Mumbai Indians’ Lasith Malinga in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. It was the last ball of the match, and RCB needed seven to win. After the game, RCB skipper Virat Kohli blasted umpire S. Ravi, stating this was not a club game.

A member of the IPL Governing Council confirmed to Sportstar,

“There will be a specialised umpire for this, who will work in co-ordination with the on-field umpires and the third umpire. This is an effort to reduce errors.”

The said idea is first likely to be tried in some domestic tournaments as well.

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Edited by Kingshuk Kusari