Substitutes, friendlies abroad and no-ball umpires - a busy week of innovative IPL speculation

Ahead of the 2020 IPL, the last seven days have seen reports of the opening ceremony's culling, designated no-ball umpires, overseas friendlies and tactical substitutes

It has been a busy week for the Indian Premier League, with multiple reports coming in of possible changes and additions ahead of the 13th edition of the competition in 2020.

The end for the opening ceremony?

The IPL may well have seen the last of its lavish opening ceremonies. Over the years, pop stars including Katy Perry, Akon and Pit Bull have all performed at the Bollywood-inspired precursor to the first game of each tournament. However, that appears to be on the cusp of changing.

“The opening ceremonies are a waste of money,” a BCCI official told the Indian Express. “The cricket fans don’t seem to be interested, and the performers have to be paid a lot.”

The decision comes a year after the 2019 edition began without an opening ceremony. On that occasion, it had been decided that the BCCI would instead donate the money that would otherwise have made up the ceremony’s budget in the wake of the Pulwama terror attacks.

“The estimated cost of hosting an IPL opening ceremony is Rs 20 crore,” a statement said at the time. “It was unanimously decided that a sum of Rs 11 crore be contributed to the Indian Army, Rs 7 crore to the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and Rs 1 crore each to the Navy and Air Force respectively.”

Going global?

According to a report by Times of India, the IPL’s newly formed Governing Council has, in its very first meeting, raised the possibility of franchises being able to take themselves abroad for brand-building friendlies.

The newspaper understands that, as it stands, this remains little more than an initial proposal and the idea would have to pass at the BCCI’s annual general meeting at the end of November.

However, there is said to be some considerable appetite among the teams for such a concept. Kolkata Knight Riders already have an affiliate team in the Caribbean Premier League’s Trinbago Knight Riders, who are also owned by KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan.

Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, have been making steps in England; earlier in 2019, they have opened an academy, basing themselves at Reed’s School, Surrey. There is other interest as well; Mumbai Indians are reported to have long been keen on taking friendly matches to Canada.

^{Imran Tahir played a key role in Chennai Super Kings reaching the 2019 final}

An extra eye on the front line?

After Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore were left stung by the decision not to signal a no-ball against Lasith Malinga off the final delivery of a tight game with Mumbai Indians, the India captain spoke out.

“We are playing at the IPL level. It's not club level, the umpires should have their eyes open,” he said, admonishing umpire Sundaram Ravi in the process. “That was a big no-ball.”

A year later, and with the idea having been discussed at length in international cricket – albeit in rather more theoretical terms, there have been several reports that the IPL might now be taking on an extra umpire in each game, tasked with nothing more than checking the front line for no-balls.

According to reports, this official would not necessarily be doubling up on third or fourth umpire duties, but rather focusing completely on one aspect of the game.

If the proposal becomes a reality, it could be a game-changer at international level too; the need for greater stringency has been mentioned regularly, especially with several bowlers having wickets chalked off by arbitrary checks of the front line only after the event.

^{Virat Kohli was livid after Lasith Malinga's no-ball went unpunished}

The end of the playing XI?

Thirteen years ago, Australia and South Africa boycotted the use of tactical substitutes – an innovation trialed by the ICC between 2005 and 2006 in ODI cricket.

It was said that the system made winning the toss even more advantageous than it already was.

Now, however, there are suggestions that the IPL could be bringing back the concept – to some degree, at least.

A ‘power player’ idea has reportedly been mooted, with teams allowed to substitute a player at the fall of a wicket or at the end of an over.

Several people involved in T20 cricket have often spoken of the temptation to retire struggling batsmen – a practice that is not outlawed but one that is unusual enough that it would almost certainly be frowned upon.

Such a shift from the IPL would, therefore, add a new tactical dimension to the game.

“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,” a BCCI official told IANS. “But now, he can just walk in and go slam-bang and win you the game.

“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.”

The official added that the idea is set for further discussion among the IPL General Council.