BCCI amended the rule related to penalty runs in domestic cricket: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently introduced an amendment to the penalty run rule in domestic cricket, to further improve the game. Under the new guidelines, the State Cricket Associations have been informed that sudden contact of the ball with equipment or things that have fallen from a fielder will no longer be considered illegal fielding. This is a notable change from the previous interpretation of rule 28.2.3, which imposed harsh penalties.
Cricbuzz quoted that, if the ball contacts a piece of clothing, equipment or any other object that has accidentally fallen around the fielder, it will not be considered illegal fielding. Wicketkeeping gloves or a fielder's cap that is tied around the fielder's waist will not be awarded a penalty run. That ball will remain valid and the wicket will also be valid.
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This amendment addresses common scenarios in cricket, particularly related to players' habits of tying caps around their waists. This can be understood by an example, if Rishabh Pant ties his cap in front of his waist, with half of it hidden inside and half visible. Similarly, wicketkeepers also tie or keep their caps behind their waist at times. Earlier, if these caps accidentally fell and hit the ball, then according to the rules, a penalty of five runs was imposed and the ball was declared a dead ball.
However, the new rule is completely different from this. The BCCI has decided to bring it after practical gameplay considerations, acknowledging that such sudden contact should not penalize the fielding team.
This amendment will also ease the decision-making process for umpires, who previously had problems in deciding complex scenarios involving the ball coming in contact with something. While Rule 28.2.3 remains the same as before regarding illegal fielding, this Rule provides a clearer picture of the specific circumstances involving accidentally dislodged equipment.
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