In a significant overhaul of its domestic cricket regulations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced several new rules aimed at enhancing the integrity, fairness, and consistency of the game.

Cricbuzz reported the development after accessing official documents from the BCCI and revealed the four major changes that the board has decided to implement this season. Notably, the latest season of the Ranji Trophy got underway on Friday, October 11.

Here are the key changes that will be implemented in the upcoming domestic season.

Mid-Innings Retirements

One of the most notable changes involves the rules surrounding mid-innings retirements. According to the new guidelines, any batter who retires for reasons other than injury, illness, or unavoidable circumstances will be considered dismissed immediately. This rule applies to all BCCI domestic matches, red ball and white ball both, meaning that batters will no longer have the option to return to bat even with the consent of the opposing captain.

This change is designed to prevent tactical retirements that could influence the game unfairly.

This rule will have major implications as several batters in the T20 format retire out voluntarily if they are not having a good day in the middle. Someone like R Ashwin has gotten retired out voluntarily in the Indian Premier League to let better ball-strikes take the crease.

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Strict Measures Against Ball-Tampering

To maintain the integrity of the game, the BCCI has reinforced strict measures against ball-tampering. The use of saliva on the ball, a rule that was initially introduced during the pandemic, remains in place. If a team is found to have used saliva on the ball, the ball will be changed, and the offending team will face penalties. This measure is part of the BCCI’s ongoing effort to ensure fair play and uphold the spirit of cricket.

Boundary-Scoring After Aborted Runs

The BCCI has also clarified the rules regarding boundary scoring in situations where runs are aborted. According to the revised rule, if batters decide to abort a run after crossing the crease and a boundary results from an overthrow before they have re-crossed, only four runs will be scored as a boundary. This clarification aims to ensure consistency in scoring across all matches, reducing potential disputes and inconsistencies.

Changes in Points Allocation for Col. CK Nayudu Trophy

Another significant change pertains to the points allocation system in the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy. The new rules outline two specific scenarios:

Scenario 1: If Team ‘A’ is all out for 398 runs in 98 overs in the first innings, they will initially receive 4 batting points. If Team ‘A’ is awarded 5 penalty runs while fielding, their score will be adjusted to 403 runs in 98 overs, resulting in an increase to 5 batting points.

Scenario 2: If Team ‘A’ is all out for 398 runs in 100.1 overs in the first innings, they will receive 4 batting points. Even if they are awarded 5 penalty runs while fielding, their score of 403 runs in 100.1 overs will not qualify them for the additional batting point.

These changes in points allocation are designed to provide clearer and more consistent criteria for awarding batting points, ensuring that teams are rewarded fairly based on their performance.

These new rules reflect the BCCI’s commitment to enhancing the quality and fairness of domestic cricket, setting a strong foundation for the upcoming season. As the domestic cricket calendar unfolds, these changes will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and competitive balance of the game.