In a major change made to playing conditions for IPL 2023, the captains of the respective sides will now nominate the 11 players and five substitutes after the toss, the official release confirmed.
The change would give the chance for the respective franchises to select their best XI (including the impact player) on the basis of whether they are batting or bowling first, and reduce the importance of winning the toss. “Each captain shall nominate 11 players plus a maximum of 5 substitute fielders in writing to the IPL Match Referee after the toss,” the release noted.
Incidentally, the MCC rule 1.2 states: “Each captain shall nominate his/her players in writing to one of the umpires before the toss. No player may be replaced after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain. Any replacement player shall be considered the same player as the nominated player he/she replaced for the purposes of these Laws.”
In the recently-concluded SA20, captains were given the opportunity to nominate 13 players before the toss and subsequently select the final XI after the toss.
Other tweaks include an over-rate penalty, in which only four fielders would be allowed outside the 30-yard circle for any over that has not been completed within the stipulated timeframe. The aforementioned penalty was introduced by the ICC for T20Is on January seven last year.
Unfair movement by the wicketkeeper would lead to a dead ball and five penalty runs being handed to the batting side. The law states once the ball is in play and before it reaches the batter, it is unfair on the part the wicketkeeper to ‘significantly’ change his position behind the stumps.
Except in following circumstances:
“Movement of a few paces forward for a slower delivery, unless in so doing it brings him within reach of the wicket. Lateral movement in response to the direction in which the ball has been delivered. Movement in response to the stroke that the striker is playing or that his actions suggest he intends to play. However the provisions of clause 27.3 shall apply.”