Innovations unlimited: IPL go for four fielding substitutes, pink ball

New Delhi: Indian Premier League is fast becoming a premier laboratory for cricketing experiments. This time it has come with some more innovations — two new teams, four fielding substitutes instead of the lone 12th man, pink balls in practice matches and abolishing the icon player status. All these innovations will be incorporated in the IPL from its 2011 edition.

From the next year onwards, the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit will supervise the IPL tournament. There’s a rider for the players as well. If a player chooses to skip the tournament despite not having any national assignment then he runs the risk of his contract getting terminated.

In a detailed discussion, held during the recent three-day franchisee workshop in Bangkok, issue relating player regulations, commercial aspects, licensing, hospitality logistics, merchandising and ticketing were laid thread bare.

"I am certain now that we are poised to bring a significantly enhanced IPL experience back home to the Indian fans in 2010 season," said Lalit Modi, IPL commissioner.

Any ball bowled above waist height, regardless of the speed, will be declared a no-ball, while pink will be used in practice matches.

It has been decided that teams will be allowed four fielding substitutes, rather than the lone 12th man.

Among other things, it was finalised that trading of players will be permitted between franchisees for the season 2010 onwards.

Meanwhile, Pakistani players’ participation will have to be confirmed by their cricket board through an NOC and clearance from their government.

On January 19 next year, IPL will conduct an auction, adding new players into the league and a fresh purse of $750,000 will be available to each franchisee. The league will also have a cap on the maximum players in a squad.