Reference at the time of writing this article: BCCI Playing Conditions as of 2022 for both Men’s and Women’s ODI and T20I.
The Ranji Trophy game (Railways vs Punjab – 4-Day game) stopped on the 2nd day and will start afresh on Day 3, and it will be played only for the remaining 2 days. Yes, you read it right. The game will start afresh on a new pitch with a fresh nomination and toss. This procedure is completely in line with the Playing conditions of BCCI, and this is something that can happen whenever the pitch is considered ‘dangerous or unreasonable’ for the play to continue.
Changing the pitch under dangerous or unreasonable conditions and starting the game afresh is not the first available option to go for. In fact, this option is 3rd in priority out of 4 available options, and this can be considered only after ruling out the first two options.
So, let us understand what the playing conditions say about the ‘Fitness of Pitch for Play’.
During the game, if the umpires consider that the pitch is either dangerous or unreasonable for the play to continue, they will immediately stop the game and brief the Match Referee regarding their observations. Once the game stops, it is not the end of the story. The Play Control Team (PCT) which includes Umpires and a Match Referee follow a set of protocols in the same order as they are mentioned below.
Choice (Step) #1 – Consult the Captains for continuing on the same pitch
Both captains will be consulted about continuing the game on the same pitch. If both captains agree to continue, then the play will resume on the same pitch from the point where it had stopped. Any revision in play will be addressed in the same way as an interrupted game.
If one or both of the captains don’t agree to continue in the same condition, then PCT will explore the second choice.
Choice (Step) #2 – Repair the pitch and resume the game
If there is no consensus on the above choice, then options to repair the pitch will be looked into. Repairing will be carried out to the extent of correcting the existing problem. Even though it is the responsibility of the ground staff to carry out the repair work, the repair plan has to be approved by the Match Referee and has to be carried out under the supervision of the Umpires.
The key point to note in this step is, the plan should be convincing enough that the repair work will address the problem. And, more importantly, even though there is a repair plan in place, the Match Referee has the authority to not approve repair work if it results in any unfair advantage to any side.
If the repair work is approved, then the game will resume after the repair work and satisfactory inspection. The resumption of the game will be from the point where it was stopped. Similar to the first choice, any revision will be addressed in the same way as an interrupted game.
If the repair work is not approved, then the PCT will explore the third choice.
Choice (Step) #3 – Using an alternate pitch
With both choices 1 and 2 ruled out, the PCT will explore choosing an alternate pitch. Here, it is important to note that, choosing an alternate pitch has to be in the same venue and not in a different venue. Supervision of the entire preparation process of an alternate pitch will be carried out by the umpires.
Once, the game moves on to the new pitch, the entire action which took place is reset and the game starts afresh. It starts afresh only for the remaining time available in the game. The teams are permitted to do fresh nominations of players, the toss will happen again.
If for any reason, choosing an alternate pitch is also not a possibility, then the PCT will have no option other than sticking to the next available choice.
Choice (Step) #4 – End the game
With no other choices left to explore, the PCT will have to end the game. In a multi-day game, the game will be considered abandoned, whereas in case of a limited over game the result will be considered as no result unless the number of overs in the innings of the team batting second has satisfied the conditions required for constituting a game and declaring the result.
In the above-mentioned incident, the PCT after exploring choices 1 and 2, decided to choose option 3 and start the game on day 3 with fresh nomination and toss for the remaining two days with follow on clause applicable similar to a 2-day game.
Sir in over throw 6 if the batter made a runs before the instance as to counted ? Or only no ball 1 run & 6 overthrow as to consider?!
Once the action is recognised as an overthrow, then all the runs completed including the run in progress if they have already crossed shall be scored too.