Exclusive 'No Ball Umpire' for IPL in 2020, no 'Power Player' for time being
Mumbai, Nov 5: The IPL Governing Council is planning to have an umpire assigned specifically to check "no balls" after a number of howlers in the past few seasons led to heightened concerns about the quality of Indian match officials.
It was also learnt that the much-hyped 'Power Player' concept of substitutions during IPL games was shelved for the time being as the project can't be piloted during upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (National T20), starting later this week.
The GC chaired by former Test batsman Brijesh Patel met at the cricket headquarters to discuss a slew of issues including FTP window, availability of foreign players, FTP of Indian team and possibility of franchises playing friendlies abroad.
However the talking point was having an exclusive umpire to check on the contentious front-foot and height no balls.
"If all goes well, during the next Indian Premier League, you could see another umpire apart from the regular umpires just to "observe" no-balls. The concept sounds weird, but this was among the issues discussed in the first IPL Governing Council meeting which was held here," a senior GC member told reporters after the meet.
"We want to use the technology. We are having another umpire for only observing no-balls. There will be an umpire, who will be focused on no-balls only. And he will not be third or fourth umpire," the influential member said.
There was a lot of hue and cry during the last IPL, when some debatable decisions were taken with regards to front-foot no-balls.
India skipper Virat Kohli even had a heated word with Indian umpire S Ravi, who failed to spot a no-ball by Mumbai Indians' Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, which proved costly for the Royal Challengers Bangalore during one of the IPL matches.
It is understood that the concept of having such umpires could be tried at any of the domestic tournament before a final call will be taken on it.
On the concept of 'Power Player', the official said: "The matter was discussed but there is too little time to implement during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which starts on Friday, November 8."
The PTI had reported on Friday that there was little or no possibility of 'Power Player' being introduced for the time being without consent of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly.
Sources close to the president had in fact said that there is no chance of implementing it for the time being.
There have been questions in the BCCI corridors whether one particular IPL operations man had devised the strategy which would have favoured one particular franchise with aged players. Also a concept like this could send the potential bookies and match-fixers on an overdrive.
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CM Siddaramaiah orders action against hoarding, black marketing of essential commodities
Bengaluru, May 10 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday directed officials to crackdown on illegal stockpiling and black marketing of essential commodities in the state.
Chairing a meeting with officials of various deparmtents, he highlighted the need to combat fake news and keep a close watch on those inciting communal tensions.
“There should be continuous monitoring of illegal stockpiling and black market activities, and attempts to increase the price of goods unnecessarily should be prevented,” he said.
He also directed all Deputy Commissioners (DC) and Superintendents of Police (SP) to hold daily media briefings until the ongoing crisis is brought under control.
“All DCs and SPs should prepare a list of all those who are exploiting the situation to threaten the harmony of the country and the state, inciting communal sentiments, creating communal divisions, and conspiring to endanger the security of the country, and to subject them to legal action,” the CM said.
At the meeting, officials were directed to take strict action against attempts to disrupt communal harmony. The list of communal mongers should be updated and they should be kept under surveillance.
Siddaramaiah stressed the need to curb fake news in the state and initiate strict action against those spreading it.
“Be careful to avoid spreading fake news in the media and social media. Nothing is bigger than the law and order of the state. Give first priority to the protection of the people of the state.”
Regarding security related exercises, he said mock drills should be conducted at important places.
“Instructions have already been given to take strict security measures along with law and order. Be prepared to face any situation. Guidelines should be prepared at the state and district levels in this regard,” Siddaramaiah said.
He also emphasised strengthening the intelligence network to ensure better security at public service delivery sites.
“Recruitment of volunteers for civil defence system should begin in all districts. Arrangements should be made for online registration. Security should be tightened along the coast. Continuous patrolling should be arranged at all important places,” the Chief Minister said in the meeting.
Siddaramaiah said fire brigade stations should be on a standby round-the-clock till normalcy returns. Further, help centres should be opened in all districts and helplines should be started.
