The Indian Premier League (IPL), which will begin on March 31, is getting a new set of regulations, one of which is that starting this year, the captains of both clubs may reveal their squads after the toss. The recently finished SAT20 series included this option as well. Instead of swapping team sheets prior to the toss, the captain of the team will walk with two distinct team sheets and hand over their final XI once they have determined whether they will bat or bowl first.
Teams could choose their strongest XIs dependent on whether they end up bowling or batting thanks to the tweak, with the appropriate impact player included, the IPL stated in an internal statement describing the numerous modifications to playing conditions.
Currently, before the toss, the captains must trade team lists. To allow sides to select the best XI regardless on whether they are batting or bowling first, this has been changed to an exchange of teams immediately following the toss. It will also help the clubs prepare for the impact player, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Jonny Bairstow, a talented English hitter, will miss the entire IPL this season since his cricket board rejected his request for a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which is required to participate in the high-profile T20 tournament, which kicks off on March 31.
The 33-year-old Bairstow is recovering from a leg injury he sustained in September last year.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), however, cleared all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who is coming back after recovering from his knee and ankle injuries, to play in the IPL.
Punjab Kings had bought Livingstone and Bairstow for ₹11.50 crores and ₹6.75 crores respectively during the IPL auction.
“Punjab Kings have some bittersweet news as England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has cleared Liam Livingstone for participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) but has stopped Jonny Bairstow from taking part,” a report in cricbuzz said on Thursday.
