'I don’t really understand the point' - Jimmy Neesham criticizes new IPL rule

Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has criticized the new strike-rotation rule introduced by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). According to the new rule, if a batter is dismissed by the mode of catch, the new batter will be on strike, even if the previous batting pair has crossed. The new rule was introduced by the stakeholders of the laws of the game last week.

While the rule will be applicable in international cricket from October later this year, IPL has decided to enforce it straightaway. Notably, the new rule won’t apply if the dismissal takes place at the last ball of an over. This law was implemented during the inaugural season of ‘The Hundred’ last year on a trial basis. The idea behind this rule is to give bowlers a little bit of an advantage, especially in the limited-overs format.

As per the existing rule, the new batter would be on the non-striking end if the batters have crossed before the catch was taken by the fielder. Now, with the new rule, a bowler will be bowling to a new batter which saves the former from the risk of getting hit for a boundary. Meanwhile, Neesham has criticized the new rule, saying that it rewards the batter for being unaware of the match situation.

“I don’t really understand the point of this. Has this rule ever been a problem? Also rewards batsmen who don’t stay aware of the match situation. Don’t like it,” wrote Neesham on Twitter while reacting to the new playing regulations.

James Neesham to play for Rajasthan Royals this year

The all-rounder from New Zealand will represent the inaugural-season winners in the upcoming season. This will be his fourth team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since making his debut in 2014. In that year, he played for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). In seasons 2020 and 2021, the left-hander played for Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians respectively. As Neesham has been in impressive form lately, exectations are pretty high from him.