As of the most recent developments concerning the 18th Indian Premier League, (IPL) stakeholders have decided to permit teams that bowl second to switch the ball during evening games. After the 10th over of the second innings in evening IPL 2025 matches is over, the ball can be replaced, according to the IPL management.
According to popular belief, this move was made to help bowling teams deal with difficulties brought on by dew. You can ask the umpires for another ball change at any time, but the on-field umpires will then decide whether to grant your request. On Thursday, the captains’ meeting with the ten franchises’ captains concluded this decision. The playing conditions were the main topic of discussion at the meeting, which took place in Mumbai.
Umpires had the exclusive discretion to determine whether or not to alter the ball because of dew up until this point. The ball change rule is believed to have needed additional flexibility, as requested by teams and their executives. The new regulation allows umpires to allow a ball change at any point during the second innings in evening matches, from overs 11 to 20. But if the bowling team wants to stick with the existing ball, no new one will be released.
Also, the ball that is added after the tenth over will be just as worn out as the one that is being replaced. Upon request by the captain of the fielding team, the ball shall be switched. However, the replacement ball will not be chosen by the bowling team.
Andy Flower, the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), revealed that he supported the modified IPL rules.
The implementation of this new ball-related rule, in his opinion, will ensure that the IPL matches are fairly contested. Fans will thus witness a fair contest between bat and ball during the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League season.
In the second half of the [second] innings, I enjoy the new rule that allows captains to choose when to take a second ball. A fair and even contest will result by changing the ball. That’s what we’re trying to find. A fair balance between bat and ball is constant in the minds of those who create the regulations that govern cricket and the ground crew who prepare the pitches. “And that’s a really good rule change and about time in conditions where dew does affect games significantly,” Flower said.
Varun Chakravarthy welcomes new rule
Indian mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, one of the frontline bowlers for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), also welcomed the change. KKR will host RCB in the curtain-raiser of IPL 2025 on Saturday, March 22. The game will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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