BBL 2020-2021: Credit to Anyone Who is Trying to Increase Viewership – Deep Dasgupta on New BBL Rules
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta welcomed the new rules of BBL, saying it's important to keep trying new things in sports to attract the viewers.
After Pragyan Ojha, former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Deep Dasgupta also opened up on the ‘three new rules’ introduced by the Big Bash League (BBL). Dasgupta said that it is really important to keep trying new things in cricket as it makes the sport more interesting and attracts the viewers.
Big Bash League, few weeks ago introduced 3 new rules for the upcoming BBL season — Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost.
“At the end of the day, we will have to look at viewership. The biggest stakeholders are the viewers, you have to look after them and try to make it as viewer-friendly as possible,” said Deep Dasgupta in the latest episode of Cricket Talk with Cricketers on Sports Today YouTube.
Deep Dasgupta said that if the innovations in sports impact the commercial aspect of the game, then they should be approved and encouraged. He further said that credit should be given to anyone who is looking to help the game evolve.
“You have the traditional format, personally speaking, I am a purist, I don’t want to touch Test matches too much. As far as 50 overs and T20s are concerned, it’s a very viewer friendly format, especially T20. And something is going to increase viewership and inturn affect the commercial aspect, then why not?
“Absolutely yes. You have to give credit to anyone who is looking at new ways to help evolve the sport, maybe it will work, it won’t but at least you’re trying. You have to give full marks for trying,” Deep Dasgupta added.
The Three New Rules Of Big Bash League (BBL):
Power Surge:
This rule will bring changes in the powerplay rule. Powerplay at the start of the innings has been reduced to four overs. The batting side can take the remaining two overs at any given time from the 11th over of the innings onwards.
X-Factor:
The X-factor is a Super Sub, but with minor changes. X-factor will be named as the 12th or 13th player. He can get into the game at the 10th over of the first innings, replacing any player who is yet to bat, or has bowled no more than a single over.
Bash Boosts:
Every winning team can get four points- instead of the previous two – with three points available for the outright victory and the extra point being given to the team who is ahead on the comparison at the 10-over mark of the chase.
