IPL 2025: Six Exclusive Rules Not Followed in International Cricket
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to kick off on March 22 with an electrifying match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. To make the tournament more thrilling, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced several unique rules that do not exist in international cricket. These rules aim to enhance the excitement of the game, challenge team strategies, and engage fans like never before.
Here are the six special IPL 2025 rules that are not followed by the International Cricket Council (ICC):
1. Over-Rate Demerit Point System
Unlike international cricket, where captains are fined or banned for slow over-rates, IPL 2025 has introduced a demerit point system. Captains will accumulate demerit points for slow over-rates, which will carry forward for three years. This ensures that teams maintain the pace of the game while avoiding severe bans.
2. Strategic Time-Outs
A unique feature in IPL is the strategic time-out, which allows teams to pause and reassess their strategies during an innings.
- Fielding team’s time-out: Between 6-9 overs
- Batting team’s time-out: Between 13-16 overs
In contrast, T20 international matches only permit drinks breaks, without any designated time-outs for strategic discussions.
3. Ban on Saliva Removed
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICC banned the use of saliva to shine the ball. However, IPL 2025 has lifted this restriction, allowing bowlers to use saliva for reverse swing. Despite this change in IPL, the ICC continues to enforce the saliva ban in international cricket.
4. Impact Player Rule
Introduced in IPL 2023, the Impact Player Rule allows teams to substitute one player during the match. This innovation adds a tactical advantage, enabling teams to replace a bowler with a batter or vice versa.
- This rule has been criticized for reducing the importance of all-rounders in the game.
- The ICC does not follow this rule in T20 or ODI cricket.
5. Hawk-Eye Technology for Wide Balls
For the first time, IPL 2025 will use Hawk-Eye technology to track:
- Off-side wide balls
- Head-high wide balls
This technology was already in place for waist-high no-balls, but it will now extend to wides as well. International matches still rely on umpires’ judgment for wide deliveries.
6. Use of a Second New Ball
To neutralize the dew factor in night matches, IPL 2025 will introduce a second new ball during the second innings.
- This change aims to balance the game, as teams bowling second often struggle with a wet ball in dewy conditions.
- The ICC does not allow the use of a second new ball in T20 cricket.
