5 New rules that can make T20 cricket more interesting

 

1. 8 runs for sixes over 100 meters

The T20 matches carry a tag of being entertaining and full of action-packed performances. And what is entertainment without some gigantic sixes in the T20 format? With the likes of power hitters like Chris Gayle, Andre Russel, ABD de Villiers to name a few, big hits are always in the scenario. Often the power that these players generate whilst hitting the shots leaves many in awe of their strength.

Big sixes aren’t a rare sight in T20s and often the ball is out of the vision of the players. So the thought of rewarding the batters with much more than just 6 runs for their effort of hitting it big chimes in such a situation. Hitting the ball over 100 meters requires immense strength and the ones who can do it must be provided with some advantage. So giving eight runs to a six that goes over 100 meters could be a new rule that adds to the fascination of the format.

Maybe one can think of bringing it in the franchise leagues in the first place. If that happens, the team with hard hitters will benefit. It will take the target of the side to an even more challenging total for the opposition to chase. In case the team batting first had struggled initially to get in runs, if their attacking batters are able to send the ball out of the stands it might help the team to chip in some necessary runs.

2. More than 4 overs for a bowler

The format is shorter but it demands the players to challenge themselves even more. By tuning out all the distractions, they have to find the shelf of possibilities to take the team past the total or put a commanding target on board. It thus becomes the game of calculation, wherein the batters decide their targets. They play out the tough bowlers and then design their approach in such a way that they then take on the part-timers and the less fancied ones.

A batter has the opportunity to play an entire inning when in form, but when it comes to the bowlers, they have just four overs. However, a tweak in the quota of the bowlers can be made. If the number of overs is increased, the bowler who is having a good day will make most of it and the team will be gifted with more important breakthroughs. This will scrap off the tension of the skipper in case one of his prime bowlers is having a bad day.

The batters will then have to face more balls from the lethal in form bowlers and that would test their abilities. This move can provide more challenges to the batters and will produce furthermore compelling contests for the fans. The batsman will have to go big against the prime bowlers and that would exude more competition and build excitement around the matches.

3. Player replacement in the second half of the game

This rule was brought in by Cricket Australia in the Big Bash League. As per the rule, the teams will be allowed to make use of one ‘X’ factor player after the 10th over of the ongoing match. The ‘X’ factor player can only replace a player who hasn’t been quite active in the game. Thus, on the batting side, he can replace a batter who hasn’t taken the charge of the field. And from the bowling side, the replacement will come for a bowler who hasn’t bowled more than an over.

If this rule is considered in the bigger picture, it might sometimes change the fortunes of the game upside down. For instance, after playing a few overs on the field, if the team realizes that a certain player who isn’t in the playing XI can be crucial whilst the conditions, they can rope in him. It takes no time for the game to turn around completely in T20s. The substitution of the player at times can have an immediate impact on the game and can bring the game closer.

If the team is in trouble they can get in an extra batter and put a respectable total on the board. On the other hand, with the bowlers, it will provide an extra option for the side. The teams will have the opportunity to bring in an extra spinner or pacer depending on the surface and asks of the condition. The anticipation that the substitute will bring on the 22 yards will keep the fans etched to the match to see if he changes the things around.

4. 5 penalty runs for slow over-rate

There have been talks on the issue of slow over-rate since always. To complete the innings in the fixed time is what is expected of the teams. Often it doesn’t go that way as the teams exceed the time and are then fined for the same. But the question that arises is that does imposing fines on the cricketers necessarily solves the concern?

Instead, if 5 penalty runs are added to the opposing team’s total, then it might create a greater impact and a convincing solution. In the shorter format, even a single run can decide the outcome of the match. The teams strive hard on the field to save runs. Probably a run saved in the T20 format is a run scored. And thus if this ruling comes to the fore, the teams will put their thinking hats on the seriousness of following the time.

This will make the teams more conscious about the pre-set marks and they might follow them more effectively. A fine might not hurt the players the way these penalty runs would. It can then go on to affect the ramification of the match.

5. The Golden over

If one aims to add even more thrill to the T20 format, another rule that probably sneaks in is the golden over. Under this, the team can avail one over from the match wherein the runs scored in that particular over will count double, including the extras. The batting team will have to decide on that over before their innings start.

This creates a lot more enthusiasm as the fans will probably be waiting for that over to start. The batting team will have an unsaid pressure of delivering in this over. The over will be of utmost importance as if the side is able to smash big and pile up good runs, it will take them in a better position in the match. It would equally be challenging as well because the opposition will make sure that their best bowler takes the run-up in this case.

This tussle between the two teams might produce a good fight as both sides will be keen on seizing the moment. If it is in the case of a chase, the batters on the field can calculate their innings and think of fetching in maximum runs from the over as it will get doubled. In the T20 matches where a single delivery changes the fate of the game, and over can pretty much do wonders by further taking the anticipation of the fans to a crescendo. In franchise cricket leagues which attracts a lot of audiences already, such a ruling can add to the plethora of anticipation of the leagues.