There should be changes in every game from time to time because it keeps the thrill in that game. There are three formats in cricket. So the rules of the game should be simplified. That is why sometimes four fielders and sometimes five fielders were kept within a radius of 30 yards. Now some more changes have been made which were the need of the hour.
Now only the new batsman will take the strike. Earlier it used to be that when he hit a big shot and got out, the strike was given to the non-strike batsman but now it will not happen. That is, now the fielding side will get the advantage. I think it is necessary to bring about a change in what happened in the World Cup 2019. Then while running the overthrow against Ben Stokes, the ball hit his bat and crossed the boundary on which the umpire gave six runs. It is important to clarify such a rule.
Apart from this, matters like umpire’s call also often becomes a topic of discussion. Umpires call depends on probability. If there is a 50% chance of the ball hitting the wicket, it is given out and if it is less likely then the umpire’s call is given. Similarly, Rule 38 of the ICC pertains to Mankading. Now a non-strike batsman can be given out by the bowler when he comes out of the crease before the bowler has thrown the ball. Now it has been included in the run out. Now the batsman standing on non strike will be more cautious. Yes, this will definitely increase the work of the umpire. The entire family, including Vinoo Mankad’s son Rahul Mankad, fought a long battle that the word Mankading should not be used in such dismissals.
The third major change is the ban on the use of saliva. Earlier it was often seen that the use of saliva after eating Chingum was especially used in reverse swing, but now you can use only sweat. Actually the Marylebourne Cricket Club is like the custodian of this game. They set all the rules there. From there these rules come to the technical committee of the ICC. Then the ICC Board of Directors carries out the process of implementing them.
Writer is a former wicket-keeper batsman of Team India & a former selector and an cricket expert.