Priyanka Tiwari
Share
Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Some IPL franchises are unhappy with The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s decision to extend match timings by 60 minutes mid-season. This is particularly the case for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) who feel that this came too late, costing them a significant opportunity to fight for a playoff berth.
KKR’s Formal Objection
Mysore’s concerns were directed towards IPL COO Hemang Amin on an email. While voicing his disagreement, KKR's CEO keenly noted that the change could have set a precedent for their match against RCB on May 17, allowing for the possibility of continuation following a rain delay. According to Mysore, the game being rained out was terrible policy for the tournament, and there was room to at least provide a partial 5-over contest, which would have kept KKR's chances alive for the playoffs.
“In a tournament of this stature, such ad-hoc decisions and inconsistencies in implementing them are unwarranted,” Mysore said.
Effect on KKR’s Qualification Chances
KKR is currently sitting on the sixth spot with 12 points from 13 matches. Even if they win their last game, the most points they can achieve is 14, which is highly unlikely to be enough for the playoffs. The team’s two rainy games this season include the May 17 additional blackout.
Cricbuzz shared that KKR is not an exception. Some other teams are said to have concerns regarding the timing of the KKR change. It has been pointed out that the rule change is unprecedented and unfair setting of a tournament precedent. They feel that rules set for a tournament should be uniformly adhered to within the season.
Announced at a recent Governing Council meeting, the amended rule 13.7.3 now provides that the start time for matches will be staggered to a maximum of 9:30 PM (originally 7:30 PM) without reduction of overs. Previously, only one hour of extra time was permitted with reduction of overs. With the new provision, even a five-over-per-side match, like the popular 'midnight' cricket can now start a little before midnight. They didn't address the heightened risk of rain towards the end of the league, and 8 of 70 'league stage' matches are still pending.
The change was prompted by increased rain risk in the last leg of the league with still eight out of seventy league stage matches.
