The International T20 League (ILT20) will introduce a ‘Super sub’ rule in the second season of the tournament. The league will begin on January 13 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at three different venues: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The super substitute rule will be similar to the impact player rule that was introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, according to ESPNCricinfo. Teams must announce seven more players in addition to playing 11 in the draw. The ILT20 has given teams room to have 7 players who are super substitutes.
Teams in ILT20 can bring in a super substitute at any time in the game after the first over of the match and the player can also be introduced at the start of the second innings.
The player who will be replaced by the super substitute in the ILT20 will no longer be able to participate in the match. The league will also introduce a new guideline related to the playing of 11. A minimum of two players from the UAE must be part of the XI.
Therefore, if teams want to introduce a super substitute, who will be a player from the UAE, he will have to replace his national teammate, a foreign player. The ILT20 also indicated that teams must present a squad of 18 players on the eve of the match. At least four UAE players along with two foreign associate players should be a must in that 18-member squad.
A super substitute can only be introduced once the over is completed, at the fall of the wicket or if the batsman retires or is injured. The bowler may also be introduced at the fall of the wicket but will not be allowed to complete an unfinished over. He, however, can complete his quota of overs regardless of how many overs the replaced player has bowled.
ILT20 introduces a penalty for excessive and slow fares
ILT20 will also introduce a speeding penalty in the second edition of the league. If the bowling team misses the time limit, only four bowlers will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle. If the team is two overs behind, only three defenders will be allowed outside.
If a team is 3 overs short, 5% of the match fee per over will be deducted along with three fielders in the outfield. The ILT20 recently achieved List A T20 status from the International Cricket Council (ICC), becoming the first T20 League from a partner country to achieve this feat. Additionally, league statistics will be officially recorded as T20 records.
Several global superstars play in the league and are expected to be part of the second season. The first season was nothing short of exceptional and a similar kind of show is expected for the second season.