IPL 2020: All-Star match proposed among other major decisions

IPL 2020
Staging an All-star IPL game, a strict eye on no-balls and introduction of concussion substitute were some of the decisions that the IPL Governing Council mulled during their meet in New Delhi on Monday (27th January). The start timing of encounters and the number of double-header matches were also discussed.  The 13th season of the Indian Premier League is set to begin on March 29.

Venue and timings

There were talks of staging the IPL final at the grand Motera Stadium which is being built in Ahmedabad. However, Board President Sourav Ganguly cleared the air while speaking to reporters after the meet.  He also confirmed that the start time of IPL matches shall remain the same.

“There will be no change in the timing of IPL night games. It will start from 8 pm like earlier years. There was discussion about 7:30 pm but it’s not happening,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said. “We will have only five doubleheaders (4 pm and 8 pm) this time. IPL final will be held in Mumbai,” the legend further added.

Innovations

The Governing Council has also decided to introduce the provision of concussion substitutes and no-ball tracking by the third umpire. “The concussion substitute and the no ball rule are new additions for the season,” Ganguly informed. ICC uses concussion substitute only for Test matches and is not employed in ODIs or T20Is. IPL will be the first T20I league to adopt the measure. After plenty of controversies around no-balls in the last season, the third umpire will carry the additional responsibility of monitoring no-balls.

The IPL All-star attraction

In a first, there is likely to be an IPL All-star match for charity purpose. “It will be an IPL All Stars Game three days before start of IPL. The venue is not Ahmedabad as it is still not match ready. We have not decided on where we will make the donation,” the former India captain said.