Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made many important changes in the rules of cricket. The purpose of these new provisions is to prevent wastage of time in the game, clarify the rules related to fielding and maintain balance between bat and ball. The new rules have come into effect with immediate effect.
Big change in the rules of run out and stumping
The new rules related to run out and stumping are being discussed the most. Now at the time of falling wicket, it will be necessary for the fielder or wicketkeeper to have complete control over the ball. In case the wicket is dropped merely by touching the ball, stumping or run out will not be valid.
This change has raised many questions. For example, if the ball hits the bowler's hand and hits the wicket directly, a fielder sends the ball towards the wicket with his foot or the ball hits the wicketkeeper and hits the stumps, then the discussion is still going on as to how the rules will be implemented in such cases.
Five run penalty for wasting time
ICC has also added the provision of a five-run penalty for batsmen wasting time. Apart from this, the rule that automatically ends the day's play after the fall of wicket in the last over of the Test match has also been removed.
New rule on 'bunny hop' catch too
Marylebone Cricket Academy (MCC) has also made changes in the method of taking catches by jumping from outside the boundary line. Now the player will have to remain within the limits after touching the ball. If you land outside or go out of bounds again, you will be given a boundary instead of a catch.
There have been mixed reactions from cricket fans on these changes. Cricket writer Paul Newman said, “Am I not understanding something? Isn't this nonsense?”
One fan wrote, “Stop ruining cricket! Who is making such strange rules every two-three months?”
ICC Men's Cricket Committee Chairman Sourav Ganguly said, “The purpose of these changes is to improve the rules according to the needs of modern cricket and maintain the pace and fairness of the game.”