Introduction
T20 cricket has often been seen as a format that favors the batters, with high-scoring games and big hits drawing in the crowds. To balance the contest between bat and ball, a new rule has been introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL): allowing bowlers to bowl two bouncers per over. This change aims to give bowlers more tools to challenge batters and create a more competitive and exciting game.
The new rule was trialled during the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Many bowlers have welcomed this change, as this rule will give them more flexibility and make them less predictable.
Bowlers can now challenge batters, especially those who struggle to play the short ball. With one short ball allowed per over as earlier, batters could get away by ducking under the ball and targeting the remaining five balls. But with the new rule and the nature of T20 cricket, a batter can hardly afford to duck under two short balls.
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Impact of the New Rule in the IPL
The new rule of two bouncers in one over brings a lot of relief for the bowlers. This small change will have a big impact on the game. The following is a list of the impacts that the new rule will have on the way matches are played in the IPL:
Bowlers Will Have More Options
- If a bowler finds a batter who is slightly hesitant while playing the bouncer, he can target the batter with two bouncers in one over.
- Earlier, if one bouncer was bowled, that was it. A bowler would then have to either bowl a slower ball or try to execute the yorker to perfection.
- The new rule offers flexibility, and a bowler can keep a batter guessing about what will happen next.
Captain Can Plan Better and Set the Field Accordingly
- If nothing is working for a fielding team, a captain can step up and make a plan of bowling bouncers at the batters.
- With the new rule, a captain can set the field according to the plan and ask his bowlers to target batters with bouncers. Bowlers can try different bouncers to deceive batters, like the slower bouncer.
Batters Cannot Line Up Bowlers Easily
- Earlier, if one bouncer were bowled, a batter would know that no more bouncers were coming. Based on this, a batter would be ready on the front foot to take on the bowler.
- Thanks to the new rule, a batter cannot line up a bowler, giving a bowler more options to bowl at the batter. Any predetermination could be costly for the batter, as a bowler can bowl a quick bouncer when a batter is trying to scoop or drive the ball.
Concluding Thoughts
IPL has decided to give bowlers something to hang onto with the new rule of 2 bouncers per over. This rule aims to minimize the vast gap between batting and bowling advantage. With the new rule, bowlers will have more options to bowl and can keep batters guessing. Batters like Shivam Dube, susceptible to short balls, will have to improve their game; otherwise, bowlers will target them with short balls and pick up their wickets
