Cricket fans, get ready for IPL 2025! The upcoming season promises some exciting changes, particularly a new rule designed to level the playing field for bowlers in dew-affected matches.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) management has introduced a revolutionary rule that will allow teams bowling second to change the ball after the 10th over of the second innings in evening fixtures. This decision, finalized during a captains' meeting in Mumbai, aims to combat the challenges posed by dew, which often makes the ball slippery and difficult to grip, favoring batsmen.

The New Ball Change Rule: A Breakdown

• Ball Change Window: The ball can be changed anytime between overs 11 and 20 during the second innings.
• Umpires' Role: Umpires will facilitate the ball change upon request from the fielding side's captain.
• Ball Condition: The replacement ball will have a similar level of wear and tear as the original.
• Bowling Team's Input: The bowling team has no say in the choice of the replacement ball.

This new rule marks a significant shift from the previous practice where umpires held exclusive authority over ball changes. Franchises and their leaders pushed for this increased flexibility to ensure fairer competition.

Key Reactions to the Rule Change

Head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Andy Flower, is a strong proponent of the rule. He believes this will lead to a fairer contest between bat and ball.

"I like the rule change on the captains electing when they can take a second ball in the second-half of the [second] innings. Changing the ball will make it an even and fair contest," Flower said.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy has also welcomed the change, anticipating the impact in IPL 2025. KKR will host RCB in the opening match of the season, adding extra intrigue to this year's IPL.

Impact and Expectations

The rule change is expected to have a substantial impact on IPL 2025. With bowlers potentially able to maintain a drier ball, the contest between bat and ball should be more balanced, offering cricket fans a more exciting and competitive spectacle. This adds another layer of strategy for captains during the matches.