IPL 2024: All you need to know about Smart Replay System, two bouncers and other new rules

The excitement among the fans is at an all-time high as the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on Friday, March 22. Chennai Super Kings face Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk in the season opener. This year, two new rules have been introduced and it is going to be interesting to see how they enhance the exhilarating league.

Over the years, a number of rules have been introduced ahead of an IPL season. Last year, the introduction of the Impact Player rule was a hit as teams had the advantage of bringing in a player midway through a match to bolster their side. This year, the Impact Player rule has been retained and a couple of new rules have been added.

Introduction of Smart Replay System

The 'Smart Replay System' is a new camera-based review system which has been introduced with the aim of making decisions faster, more efficient, and more accurate. This will be done with the help of a new high-speed camera setup, which will be positioned at various places around the stadium.

Eight high-speed Hawk-Eye cameras will be strategically placed around the ground. In addition to this, two Hawk-Eye cameras will be stationed alongside the TV umpire to offer real-time images and data to facilitate quicker decision-making.

Earlier, the TV broadcast director used to play the role of an intermediary between the Hawk-Eye operators and the third umpire. However, in the new system, the TV umpire will get the visuals directly from the operator, which will allow them to access a wider range of images, including split-screen views and multiple angles. Without the intermediary, and the availability of additional data, the analysis is expected to be more comprehensive than before. The viewers are also going to benefit from the Smart Replay System during DRS calls as they will have the knowledge of what decision has been taken and the reason behind it.

Also Read: IPL 2024: Where to Watch IPL Matches - TV Channels & Live Streaming in India

Introduction of Second Bouncer Rule

This rule is more straightforward. The fans who saw the action from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last season will be accustomed to this rule as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tested it during the tournament.

In order to balance things between bat and ball, bowlers will be allowed to deliver two bouncers in an over to keep the batters guessing. This change is surely going to be welcomed wholeheartedly by the bowlers, who were permitted to bowl only a single bouncer in an over in the previous IPL seasons.

Meanwhile, the rule of checking for a catch when a referral is made for stumping will continue this season. However, the Stop Clock rule, which the ICC is set to introduce for white-ball international matches from T20 World Cup 2024 onward, hasn't found a place in IPL 2024.