Three things that can make IPL 2018 a treat to watch

The biggest T20 league in the world, the IPL, is just a couple of weeks away and this time it promises to be bigger and most importantly different from its predecessors.

In a bid to make the lucrative T20 event more appealing to the viewers, the administrators have time and again tried to push the envelope, from introducing a ten team concept to adding strategic time-out thus attenuating the levels of excitement.

The upcoming season will bore no difference to the aforementioned fact and with a sea of innovative ideas promises to add intrigue to the contest.

In this article, we'll look at four things that make IPL 2018 different from its predecessors:

---

#3 Use of Decision Review System

DRS will make its IPL debut this year

Indian cricket has had a turbulent relationship with the Decision Review System that dates back to 2008 when the technology was taking baby steps into the cricketing world.

Ever since the 2008 Test series against Sri Lanka, the use of DRS involving Indian matches was reduced to ICC events.

However, with a change of guards at the helm coupled with subtle changes in its implementation, the stance has seemingly softened, with the technology now a permanent feature in matches involving the Men in Blue.

This year, DRS is set to will make its debut in the IPL with the BCCI giving its nod of approval last month.

Each team will get one review per innings, and the third Umpire will have access to both ball-tracking and Ultra Edge.

#2 Virtual Reality Technology

VRT- A revolutionary technology in the genre of broadcasting

In a bid to transcend new boundaries in the field of broadcasting and to further enhance viewers experience of watching an IPL game, Star India is banking on technology.

In a ploy to expand the viewership of the IPL in digital space, this season the tournament will be available in Virtual Reality format on Hotstar, Star's flagship video streaming platform.

Viewers can catch the IPL in Virtual Reality format through specially designed VR glasses, now supported by app back-end.

Another option available on the app is to pause the match at any given point in time and swipe to get a 360-degree view of the ground.

The addition of VR technology will not magnify the viewing experience but it will also bring cricket fans closer to the game.

#1 Mid-season transfer

There will be a Mid-season transfer window in the IPL this year

Often in the IPL, we've seen some players, owing to team combination or their form, warm the bench for the entire season.

This year though franchise will have the opportunity to trade players mid-way through the season.

For the first time in the history of the IPL, there will be a mid-season transfer window allowing teams to trade players.The idea was proposed at an IPL workshop meeting in November 2017.

In January, earlier this year, the proposal was accepted to which Rajiv Shukla said: "Yes, this time the IPL will see mid-season transfers."

"The transfer will take place in between Match No.28 to 42 and the transfer window will be open for roughly five days. The transfer will take place only if there is a demand for that particular player from another franchisee," according to an IPL official.

While capped Indian players have been excluded, the 5-day transfer window will allow franchises to trade uncapped Indian players as well as overseas players, who played no more than two matches till the halfway stage of the tournament.