It now turns out that the new rules and regulations stipulated by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and which are to be followed in all first-class matches including Tests, One-Day Internationals and T20 Matches, were given a convenient ‘go-by’ during last Saturday’s T20 international match between India and Australia which was held in Ranchi, the homeland of India’s cricketing legend M.S. Dhoni.

It became apparent that players of both the countries were not exactly well-versed in following or monitoring the new set of rules and regulations put in force by ICC.  Playing first, Australia had stuttered to 118 for 8 in 18.4 overs when rain interrupted.  Later, India was asked to score 48 runs to win the match in six overs as the home-sided romped home in just 5.3 overs with just the loss of Rohit Sharma.

As per the new rules, if the play was reduced to less than 10 overs in a T20 match, the bowlers used should have bowled a minimum of two overs; however, Australia, which was apparently unaware of the rules, used as many as five bowlers with one bowler (Courter-Nile) bowling two overs and four others bowling one over each.  Indians didn’t object to this so as they were also not well-versed with the rules.

‘Review’ was allowed to both the teams, but neither team exercised this option.  Speaking to newsmen after the match, Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan conceded that the sides were unaware of the change in rules.  “Australia appeared more confused in this regard; we too didn’t realize that it was wrong for them to have used five bowlers instead of three,” he said.