IPL mulls over having an umpire to monitor no-balls

The former India batsman revealed that there is no move to introduce a ‘power-player’ in the IPL. “Don’t know where the news came from,” he said.

IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel.

The new IPL Governing Council, with Brijesh Patel in the chair, met at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai on Tuesday to review certain aspects of the league.

The council considered the possibility of an umpire monitoring no-balls, reducing day matches and looking at franchises’ request to play exhibition/ friendly matches overseas.

Talking to

The Hindu, Patel said: “Everything is at a preliminary stage of discussion. In most cases the umpires refer to the third umpire for no balls at the fall of a wicket.

“But there have been times when no balls have not been called. We will trial this before the IPL. Time is too short for it to be tried during the Mushtaq Ali Twenty20.”

No power-player

The former India batsman revealed that there is no move to introduce a ‘power-player’ in the IPL. “Don’t know where the news came from,” he said.

A former BCCI official said that the BCCI is not averse to the idea of IPL teams playing matches against Associate Members of the ICC, but not amongst themselves overseas because media rights is involved.

“The IPL teams have the time to play friendlies overseas; there is so much time after the conclusion of the league. We are looking at it,” said Patel.

Auction on Dec. 19

Meanwhile, the players’ auction will be held on December 19 in Kolkata. While the franchises were allotted ₹82 crore each for IPL 2019, ₹85 crore has been earmarked for the next season.

Funds available for franchises (in ₹crore): CSK 3.2, DC 7.7, KXIP 3.7, KKR 6.05, MI 3.55, RR 7.15, RCB 1.80, SRH 5.30.

(with PTI inputs)