IPL 2025: Revolutionary ball change rule to tackle dew dilemma

According to the latest developments regarding the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League, stakeholders have opted to allow teams bowling second to change the ball during evening fixtures. The IPL management has decided that the ball can be changed after the conclusion of the 10th over of the second innings in evening matches of IPL 2025.

This decision is believed to have been implemented to assist bowling teams in tackling challenges arising due to dew. Further requests for an additional ball change can be made to the umpires; however, such requests will be subject to the collective discretion of the on-field umpires. This decision was finalized during a captains' meeting with the skippers of the 10 franchises on Thursday. The agenda of the meeting, held in Mumbai, was to discuss the playing conditions.

Up until now, umpires held exclusive authority to decide whether or not to change the ball due to dew. It is said that franchises and their leaders wanted match officials to introduce more flexibility in the ball change rule. According to the new rule, umpires will permit a ball change anytime between overs 11 and 20 during the second innings of evening fixtures. However, a new ball will not be introduced if the bowling side prefers to continue with the original one.

Furthermore, the ball introduced at any point after the 10th over will possess the same level of wear and tear as the one it replaces. The ball will be changed upon the request of the fielding side's captain. However, the bowling team will have no say in the choice of the replacement ball.

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Head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Andy Flower, disclosed that he was in favour of the rule change by the IPL management. He believes that the matches will be fairly contested between the IPL teams due to the introduction of this new rule related to the ball. Hence fans will get to see an even battle between the bat and the ball in the coming IPL 2025 season.

"I like the rule change on the captains electing when they can take a second ball in the second-half of the [second] innings. Changing the ball will make it an even and fair contest. And that's what we are looking for. The people that make the rules under which we play the game of cricket and ground staff, preparing pitches, they are always looking for a fair balance between bat and ball. And in conditions where dew does affect games significantly, that's a really good rule change and about time," Flower was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

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.