We can see a big and significant change in cricket history during the next Indian Premier League (IPL). The BCCI members are thinking to introduce the “Power Player”.
On Tuesday (5th November), the IPL governing council members will meet at the BCCI headquarters. The main reason for this meeting is to create the road map of IPL 2020.
After the latest BCCI apex council election in the last month, it is going to be the first IPL governing council meeting. Former Indian cricketer Brijesh Patel is the new chairman of IPL and he will lead this meeting. The other members of the new IPL governing council, Khairul Jamal Majumdar and Surinder Khanna, will also present in this meeting.
According to the media news, the new BCCI President Sourav Ganguly will not present in this meeting. However, the board’s CEO, Rahul Johri is likely to attend this meeting.
“Power Player” – one of the major talking points in the meeting
While the IPL is a big hit project, the members are thinking to make a big and significant change during the matches. In the 2020 edition, the IPL governing council may introduce the “Power Player”. The “Power Player” rule will actually allow the team to introduce the substitute players at any time of the match during batting or bowling.
Instead of announcing the playing XI, the team will reveal the 15-member squad before the toss of a match. If the IPL introduces this rule, it will be a significant change in cricket.
However, ahead of the IPL 2020, the BCCI wants to utilise this concept during the forthcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019/20.
A BCCI official told IANS, “We are looking at a scenario where a team will not name the Playing XI. They will announce the 15 and a player can be substituted at either the fall of a wicket or at the end of the over at any point in the game. While we are looking to introduce it in the IPL, trying the concept first in the upcoming Mushtaq Ali Trophy could be the ideal way forward.”
It can put a significant effect on the IPL matches
By using this rule, the teams can use the workload management very efficiently. The official has also given some examples that how this rule can put a significant effect on the matches.
He added, “Imagine you need 20 runs off the last six balls and you have Andre Russell sitting in the dug-out as he wasn’t a hundred percent and wasn’t part of the original XI. But now, he can just walk in and go slam-bang and win you the game.
“Similarly, say you need to defend six runs off the last over and you have someone like a Jasprit Bumrah sitting in the dug-out. So, what does the captain do? Brings in Bumrah at the end of the 19th over and there you go. The concept has the potential to change the game.”
Kolkata will host the 2020 IPL players’ auction on 19th December 2019.
On the other hand, the IPL 2020 will be the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League.