T20 cricket: Indian players welcome two bouncers per over rule

Players say the new rule will keep batters on their toes more than before. (Photo by Stephen Noulton via Pexels)

A bouncer, or a short-pitched delivery, is one of the most potent weapons for a fast bowler. Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee used it as a trump card to make batters jump, duck and dance on the crease. But cricket evolved with time. Boundaries started getting shorter, and the T20 format turned it in favour of batters.

In modern-day cricket, a batter has the strength to send a lethal bouncer out of the park with a pull or the behind-the-wicket scoop. That's how they train. Even a mishit can go beyond the fence. To even the contest between bat and ball in domestic cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided on two bouncers per over as against one. It will come into effect from the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament in October.

Set a game plan

Vidarbha batter Atharva Taide, who plies his trade with Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), feels it will make the contest exciting. "I think the Board has taken a step forward. The sport is a bit more towards the bat these days. Even when you see the IPL, at least 200 runs were scored by a team batting first effortlessly. It is a process to even things out," he told Moneycontrol.

Taide, who announced his arrival in IPL 2023 with two quickfire fifties in the Punjab jersey, feels the new rule will be challenging for the batters since the wickets in domestic cricket are different from the sporting wickets in IPL, plus some of the games could played be in the morning. "The pitches in Syed Mushtaq Ali are different, and the timing of the games can be a factor."

"Some games start around 8.30-9 am and not in the evening. The players should keep this in mind while preparing for the tournament," said Taide, adding that there needs to be a game plan as the bowlers can test the mindset of the batter. A bowler may or may not bowl two bouncers in an over. "A batter should always remember that two bouncers are allowed and that anything can come his way."

No risk of getting hit in T20s

Australian cricketer Phil Hughes' death in 2014 after being hit by a Sean Abbott bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game led to discussions regarding the quality of helmets and the wild attitude of tearaway quicks. Now the helmets have improved, and there are concussion substitutes in Test cricket.

However, in T20 cricket, the risk is far lesser. "Batters were getting hit earlier as well. One bouncer was always allowed. But in T20 cricket, the batter is looking to attack, so the chances of being hit are less. In Test cricket, there is a greater tendency to get injured since you are trying to defend. Bowlers in T20 cricket hesitate to bowl bouncers because it is not as rewarding as a yorker is," said the 23-year-old.

Hyderabad left-arm pacer Chama Milind, who has the distinction of taking a hat-trick in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, welcomed the new rule too. "The grounds in the Mushtaq Ali tournament have become small from what they used to be two to three years ago. It has always been a challenge for the bowlers, and the two-bouncer rule can balance things out," said Milind, who has taken 86 T20 wickets in 59 appearances.

Milind seconded Taide that the thought process of the batter will now change, and the risk of getting injured is minimal with the standard of protective gear today. "The predetermined nature has to take a backseat. The bowler can bowl a bouncer in the first two balls, and there could be another in the remaining four deliveries. Earlier, the batter could predict as the bowler did not have an extra option.

"A fast bowler should always have the attitude of dominating the batter. The batters also practice power-hitting and how to smash pacers who have a good bouncer. You need to have an aggressive mindset and win the game," he said.

Seasoned campaigner Jalaj Saxena, who represents Kerala, lauded the decision as the sport will benefit if there is parity between the bat and the ball. "It is always exciting to see bouncers by quick bowlers. And bringing this rule will only make the sport exciting. Nowadays, batters play bouncers well, but it provides an opportunity for the fast bowler to have a comeback in the game," he said.

The Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament starts October 16. Mumbai is the defending champion.