NEW DELHI: Sandeep Sharma, a Rajasthan Royals pacer, hailed a rule change in the Indian Premier League (IPL) that permits bowlers to bowl two bouncers every over, claiming it will keep batters guessing and the game more unpredictable.
Twenty20 cricket has traditionally been a batsmen's format, with bowlers allowed only one short-pitched delivery each over, including in international games, but the Indian cricket board changed the rule to level the playing field for this year's IPL.
"I think the bowlers get some help with this," Sandeep told reporters after Rajasthan beat Lucknow Super Giants by 20 runs in their opener on Sunday.
"Earlier, batsmen were able to predict where the bowler would bowl if he had used his one bouncer already. It would be easier for the batsmen. But with two bouncers, the batsmen are also in two minds that there's still one bouncer left for the bowler to use," Sandeep added.
West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran, whose undefeated 64 was in vain during Lucknow's fruitless chase of 194, also supported the rule change.
"It's a good rule. Especially when a guy comes in to bat, it's effective. If someone doesn't like the short ball, you can pepper him with a couple of them," Pooran said.
1/9:Sanju Samson leads RR to 20-run win over LSG in IPL
AFP
2/9:Spidercam Incident
<p>The Rajasthan innings witnessed a nearly 10-minute halt in the first over due to a spidercam cable break, but Samson's heroics led them to victory.</p>AFP
3/9:Samson's Sixes
<p>Sanju Samson's six sixes were crucial on a variable pitch, where Lucknow bowlers struggled, except for Krunal Pandya.</p>AFP
4/9:Pooran-Rahul Partnership
<p>Nicholas Pooran and KL Rahul's partnership of 85 runs for the fifth wicket kept Lucknow in the game.</p>AFP
5/9:KL Rahul's Effort
<p>KL Rahul's 58 off 44 balls was a valiant effort in Lucknow's chase, despite a slow start.</p>AFP
6/9:Lucknow's Chase
<p>Despite Nicholas Pooran's unbeaten 64, Lucknow Super Giants fell short, finishing at 173-6.</p>AFP
7/9:Early Strikes by Boult
<p>Trent Boult's early strikes disrupted Lucknow Super Giants' batting lineup, rattling them early on.</p>AFP
8/9:Captain's Heroics
<p>Captain Samson's unbeaten 82 off 52 balls was instrumental in Rajasthan Royals' total of 193-4.</p>AFP
9/9:RR vs LSG
<p>Sanju Samson led Rajasthan Royals to a 20-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL opening match.</p>AFP"But in saying that, we as players and bowlers need to do our homework as well. Some batsmen, they like the short ball as well," the West Indies batsman added.
KL Rahul underwent concussion protocols after being struck on the helmet by New Zealand paceman Trent Boult but the Lucknow skipper did not dwell too much on the rule or his team's loss.
"It is just the first game and I'm not going to make too much out of it or over-analyse," Rahul said.
(With inpust from Reuters)
