BCCI Plans a Football-like “Change” in IPL

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are all set to introduce a change in the franchise-based T20 cricket India Premier League (IPL). Even, the teams will be allowed to substitute a player during the fall of a wicket or at the end of an over at any point in the game.

While speaking to IANS, a senior BCCI official shared that the concept has approved already but it will be discussed further in the meeting of IPL Governing Council that will happen at the BCCI HQ in Mumbai on Tuesday.

“We are looking at a scenario where a team will not name the Playing XI. They will announce the 15 and a player can be substituted at either the fall of a wicket or at the end of the over at any point in the game. While we are looking to introduce it in the IPL, trying the concept first in the upcoming Mushtaq Ali Trophy could be the ideal way forward,” the official added.

While speaking about how the idea will change the game, the official said that the concept has the ability to change situations of the game and also induce out-of-the-box thinking and strategising from the two teams as well.

“Imagine you need 20 runs off the last six balls and you have Andre Russell sitting in the dug-out as he wasn’t a hundred percent and wasn’t part of the original XI. But now, he can just walk in and go slam-bang and win you the game,” he expressed.

“Similarly, say you need to defend six runs off the last over and you have someone like a Jasprit Bumrah sitting in the dug-out. So, what does the captain do? Brings in Bumrah at the end of the 19th over and there you go. The concept has the potential to change the game,” the official further said.

Apart from this new plan at the IPL GC on Tuesday, the members will also talk about the 2019 edition of the India based tournament. The team will also decide how to make the next season bigger, better and exciting as well.