TATA IPL 2024: New Season to Allow Two Bouncers per Over, Smart Replay System

The 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will introduce two new regulations: allowing two bouncers per over and incorporating a Smart Replay System to improve the efficiency of the Decision Review System (DRS). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approved these changes to enhance excitement for fans during IPL 2024. Additionally, the Impact Player rule, introduced in the previous season, will continue. The tournament will kick off with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium.

The significant alteration permits bowlers to deliver two bouncers per over, deviating from the previous limit of one. Unlike Test matches and One-Day Internationals (ODIs), where two bouncers per over are allowed, Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) adhere strictly to ICC regulations, permitting only one short-pitched delivery per over. This adjustment aims to balance the competition between batsmen and bowlers, providing bowlers with an additional strategy to challenge batsmen. After a successful trial during India's domestic T20 championship, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, both players and officials widely supported the adoption of this rule.

In the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is implementing the Smart Replay System to enhance the precision and efficiency of decision-making. This system will enable the TV umpire to access a broader range of visuals, including split-screen images, compared to previous capabilities. Under the Smart Replay System, the TV umpire will receive direct inputs from two Hawk-Eye operators situated alongside the umpire, who will supply images captured by eight high-speed cameras positioned throughout the ground.

With the introduction of the Smart Replay System, referrals for stumpings, run-outs, catches, and overthrows are now permissible. Should a stumping referral arise, the TV umpire has the option to request the split-screen view from the Hawk-Eye operators through the Smart Review System. This innovative technology provides the TV umpire with tri-vision for stumpings, essentially presenting a single frame of footage captured by both side-on and front-on cameras.

During an IPL 2024 match, if a stumping request is initiated, the BCCI has opted to retain the provision mandating verification of a catch. This deviation from ICC regulations contrasts with the ICC's stipulation that only the on-field umpire should review stumping decisions. Despite endorsing recent ICC playing standards for white-ball international matches, the IPL has decided against adopting the stop-clock rule, despite its embrace of other progressive reforms.