The Indian Premier League is planning to reduce the span of the much criticized seven and a half-minute strategy break for the semi-finals and the final by splitting it into two timeouts of two and a half minutes per innings.
According to sources, the first timeout will be mandatory and will come into effect after the batting power play after the sixth over. The second break will be optional and will be left at the discretion of the fielding side. This will be a real strategy break. Just as in basketball, the teams will have just enough time to rework plans. We are looking at giving the fielding side the power to use it. We are yet to come up with the details. IPL chairman Lalit Modi, too, admitted that the strategy breaks were being reviewed and a new formula would be put in place after the round-robin stage. The technical committee is presently looking into it, trying to come up with new ways to overcome problems the teams are facing.
The Four foreigners rule to stay
Modi also categorically refused to increase the quota of foreigners. This is the Indian Premier League. The focus is on getting local talent and I have shoved away the idea of increasing the number of foreigners. Modi also said that the BCCI is not looking for a permanent window for the IPL in the ICC’s Future Tours Programme.