The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) implemented a new rule ahead of the Duleep Trophy 2025, where the rival captain will decide who will take the strike if the batter has deliberately run short. "...the captain of the fielding side to identify which of the two batters will take strike for the next delivery (sic)," the BCCI has said in a series of rule changes ahead of the domestic season.
In T20 franchise cricket, including the IPL, batters are sometimes seen deliberately running short when trying to take two runs. They do this so that the set batter keeps the strike for the next over, even if it means losing one run from the total. However, this is against the rules. If a batter is found doing this on purpose, the fielding side can be awarded five penalty runs, and the batter might have to face a hearing with the match referee.
However, according to the latest rule, the opposition captain will decide which batter will take the strike. However, no penalty will be applied if the batter decides to stop or abort the run.
"A deliberate short run is an attempt for batters to appear to run more than one run, while at least one batter deliberately does not make good their ground at one end. Batters may choose to abort a run, provided the umpire believes that there was no intention by the batter concerned to deceive the umpires or to score the run in which they didn't make their ground" New ruling says
According to Rule 18.5.2, if a batter is found to have deliberately run short, the umpire at the bowler’s end will:
- Cancel all runs scored on that delivery for the batting team.
- Signal a No Ball or Wide if it applies.
- Give 5 penalty runs to the fielding team.
- Ask the fielding captain to choose which of the two batters will face the next ball.
- Apply any other 5-run penalties if necessary (except for the rule related to fielding helmets – Rule 28.3).
- Tell the scorers how many runs to record for that delivery.
- Explain the reason for this decision to both captains – first to the fielding captain, then to the batting captain as soon as possible.
- Report the incident to the BCCI Match Referee after the match, along with the other umpire.
In another rule change, the BCCI says "if a batter retires for any reason other than as in clause 25.4.2, he will be considered as dismissed immediately and will not have the option of returning to bat even with the consent of the opposite captain. His innings will be recorded as 'Retired - out'."
The rules mentioned above apply across formats.
One ball to be phased out in Vijay Hazare Trophy games
The BCCI also adopted the International Cricket Council (ICC )'s recent rule of two balls in ODI cricket. There will be no ball change after 34 overs. The move came in to bring the reverse swing into the game. This rule will apply from the upcoming edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is a domestic 50-over competition.
"Each fielding team shall have two new balls for its innings to be used in alternate overs, i.e. one from each end for overs 1 to 34. At the end of over 34, the fielding team will choose one of the two balls from the innings to be used for all the remaining overs of the innings. The other ball will be added to the stock of replacement balls for the innings" says the new rule.