Chennai: Amidst the election season, the great festival of cricket i.e. Indian Premier League (IPL) has started in the country. Former captains of India faced competition in the first match. Royal Challengers Bangalore team faced a challenge from five-time champion Chennai Super Kings. The first match of the 17th season between the two teams was played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The 17th season of the league is going to be different in many ways this time. IPL is going to be different from the last 16 seasons.
1- Second Bouncer Rule
This will be the first time in the 17th season of the league that bowlers will be able to bowl two bouncers in an over. Earlier in India’s domestic cricket tournament, this rule was applicable only in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In international cricket, a bowler can still bowl only one bouncer in an over. But this time in IPL this rule will change.
2- Smart Replay System
For the first time in IPL, smart replay system will be used instead of DRS. This will be the first time in the 17th season that 8 Hawk-Eye cameras will be fitted in the field. This time the pictures taken from the Hawk-Eye camera will be presented in front of the TV umpire itself.
3- Stop Clock Rule
ICC has recently implemented the stop clock rule in white ball cricket, according to which, bowlers will get 60 seconds to start the next over and will get only two warnings for this. If this is not done, a penalty of five runs will be imposed on the bowling team. But this rule will not apply in IPL.
4- 4 teams will field with new captains
This time in IPL 2024, four teams will enter the league with their new captains. The captains of Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, which have jointly won the title five times each in the history of the league, have changed. Mumbai has given captaincy to Hardik Pandya in place of Rohit Sharma while CSK has given captaincy to Rituraj Gaikwad in place of MS Dhoni. Apart from this, Gujarat Titans have made Shubman Gill the captain while Sunrisers Hyderabad has made Pat Cummins the captain.
5- Longest season of IPL
IPL 2024 is starting from 22nd March. Due to the Lok Sabha elections in the country, the schedule of only 21 matches was initially announced. It is believed that the final of the 17th season will be played on May 26 and this time the league will run for more than two months, which will be the longest season in IPL history.
