The new rules was used for the first time in the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh 1st ODI | courtesy – screengrab
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The new rule became active from the 1st ODI between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
- ICC have acted on the complaints of the two new balls
- The new provision is aimed at restoring balance between bat and ball
The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) new regulations for ODI cricket came into effect for the first time on Wednesday (July 2) during the first ODI of a three-match series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
After the 34th over of Sri Lanka’s innings, the umpire was seen asking Bangladesh’s captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz to choose between two balls. This indicated the first instance of the new provision being used as the world cricket governing body brought a change to the rule book.
As per the new rules introduced by the ICC in the latest playing conditions, which are applicable in white-ball cricket from July 2, only one ball will be used in ODI cricket after the 34th over of the innings. This decision has come on the back of the ICC being criticised for the two-ball rule in ODI cricket, which several people like Gautam Gambhir and Ravichandran Ashwin have pointed out has taken finger spinners as well as reverse swing out of the equation while making the format more batting-friendly.
As per the new regulations, the match will start in a similar fashion with two new balls with one from each end. However, there will only be one ball used after the 34th over of the match. At this point, the bowling team’s captain will be given a choice and be allowed to use either of the two balls in action.
This was the most significant change in the latest playing conditions, which have also seen major changes in Test cricket that have come into action from the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. After being brought into action in ODI and T20Is, a stop clock has been introduced in the longest format to act against time wasting.
Meanwhile, the ICC have also introduced a chance to the short-run rule, as in addition to the five-run penalty, now teams can choose which batter takes a strike on the next ball.
The lawmakers have also amended the provision for catches on the boundary line as any airborne player must make contact with the ball only inside the boundary line.