IPL 2025: New Rule Allows Bowling Teams to Replace Ball Once After 10 Overs

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IPL 2025: In a landmark decision ahead of IPL 2025, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has introduced a new rule allowing the team bowling second in evening matches to request a ball change anytime after the tenth over of the second innings.

The rule, aimed at mitigating the impact of dew, was finalised in a meeting with the ten IPL captains on Thursday and subsequently communicated to the franchises on Friday via an official note accessed by ESPNcricinfo.

Until now, umpires had the sole discretion to change the ball if they deemed it too wet due to dew. However, several franchises had pushed for more flexibility, arguing that a wet ball significantly hampers bowlers, particularly spinners and those relying on grip and control.

Under the new rule, the first request for a ball change between the 11th and 20th overs must be granted, regardless of dew presence. Any further ball changes will be subject to the discretion of the on-field umpires.

Key Features of the New Rule

• The bowling team can request a ball change once anytime after the tenth over in the second innings of an evening match.
• The ball change can only be requested at the end of an over, not in the middle of it.
• The replacement ball will have a similar level of wear and tear as the one being replaced.
• The umpires, not the bowling team, will select the replacement ball.
• The rule does not apply to afternoon matches.

While this move is widely seen as a positive step, one potential downside for the bowling side is the risk that the replacement ball could be harder than the one being replaced, making it easier for batters to score runs.

Teams Welcome the Decision

Given how heavily dew influences match outcomes, the rule has been largely welcomed by teams and players. Dew often makes gripping the ball difficult, reducing the effectiveness of bowlers and leading teams to prefer chasing rather than defending totals.

Varun Chakravarthy, the India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mystery spinner, believes the change will help bowlers regain control in the middle overs.

Andy Flower, head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who are set to face KKR in the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens on Saturday evening, also praised the decision.

"I like the rule change on the captains electing when they can take a second ball in the second half of the [second] innings," Flower said in Kolkata on Friday. "Changing the ball will make it an even and fair contest. And that's what we are looking for. The people who 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."

Potential Impact on IPL 2025

This new regulation could influence team strategies, particularly at venues known for heavy dew, such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. With bowlers now assured of at least one opportunity to swap a wet ball, captains might be more confident in defending totals rather than always opting to chase.

The IPL has consistently evolved its rules to maintain a balance between bat and ball, and this move is expected to make evening matches fairer for both teams. With IPL 2025 set to kick off, all eyes will be on how this rule change impacts match dynamics.