The Indian Premiere League (IPL) 2025 is set to introduce a new rule for the teams. This new rule will allow teams playing the second innings to request another ball after 11 overs are bowled. What’s this you wonder? Well, during the night matches, when the second innings takes place, there’s a due factor in certain stadiums. Due creates an advantage for the batting side in the second innings as the grip on the ball lessens for the bowlers. This advantage is one sided only, as during the start of the match, in the first innings, there’s rarely ever due on the grass.
Thus, to counter this undue advantage that the batting side gets in the second innings, bowlers will get to use another ball after 11 overs are bowled. However, there are few things you should know about this.
Rules Related to Second Ball in IPL Second Innings
IPL has given the power to the umpires to assess whether a second ball is required or not. So the final call will be taken by the umpires. Thus, the bowling team has no power here to get the second ball on their authority. The second ball rule is unlikely going to apply on the day matches, because there’s no due factor here.
Levelled Playing Field for Everyone?
This will level the playing conditions for both teams. Because of the due, the ball not only gets slippery, it also gets heavier. This is not a rule that cricket fans have ever seen on the international stage ever. It is new in concept for the T20 cricket. Generally when a new ball is introduced in the same innings for a bowling side, it is for the test format. IPL could potentially set a new standard here which could be adopted by cricket leagues across the world and also by the ICC (International Cricket Council) for the international matches.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.