In the run-up to the already straining domestic season that commences Friday with the Ranji Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made far-reaching changes to the playing conditions to suit the current environment. These advancements are witnessed in the game in aspects such as mid-innings retirements, ball tampering, boundaries and points distribution in the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy (U-23), for instance.
Mid-Innings Retirements:
The most notable change concerns batters retiring mid-innings. As is noted in a report on Cricbuzz, any batter taking ‘retirement’ for any other reason except injury, illness, or any other unavoidable circumstance will be considered out and dismissed. Importantly, they will not be able to bat again even if the captain of their opposition agrees to it. Such rule is applicable for all multi-day and limited-overs fixtures.
As per the BCCI mandate and it’s regional distribution to various state bodies, ‘A batter retiring for any reason other than injury, illness or unavoidable cause… will be considered as dismissed immediately on retirement and will NOT have the option of returning to bat even with the consent of the opposing captain.’
Crackdown on Applying Saliva
In a bid to contain the vice of ball-tampering, the women’s BCCI has made it compulsory to replace a new ball every time a player uses his or him’s saliva on the ball. In addition, the offending club shall be subject to punishment.
Aborting a Run
A point which the BCCI has reinforced is in the case when a boundary is scored following an aborted run. If batters who have crossed in one run before an overthrow decides not to take the return and there is an overthrow prior to them re-crossing, only four runs will be scored.
Points Distribution in CK Nayudu Trophy
A different set of rules is used in allocating points in the U-23 competition. These changes can be flagged in two cases.
Scenario 1: Team A batted first and was all out scoring 398 in 98 overs and earned four batting points. The team then goes on to bowl and concedes five penalty runs, making their score 403 in 98 overs, earning them a fifth batting point.
Scenario 2: Team A batted first and scored 398 all out in 100.1 overs and were awarded five penalty runs which made their score 403 in 100.1 overs. However, they will not gain the fifth batting point as the 100 overs came and went.