VPL Rules & Regulations

Game Rules

A player who has played in one team is not allowed to play in another team.
The tournament would be played with a Hard Tennis ball.
Each inning would start with a new ball.
In case a ball is lost or broken before two overs of an inning, then a new ball would be issued.
If lost after two overs of an inning, an old ball [used] would be issued.
League matches would be of 8 overs & knockout matches (QF, SF, and Final) will be of 10 overs a side.
Power Play:

1. League Matches: First 2 overs are mandatory power play. The batting power play is not applicable.
2. Knockout Matches: First 2 overs are mandatory bowling power play & 1 over Batting power play which can be taken anytime between 3 to 8 overs by the batting team, failing to do so the
3. The 8th over will become a mandatory batting power play over.
4. Only 4 players can field outside the 30-yard circle during power play overs.
5. During the non-power play overs minimum of 4 fielders should be present within the 30-yard circle, failure to do so during delivery of a ball would be called a No-ball by the umpire.

Innings/Match Duration:

1. League matches – Each innings must be completed in 35 minutes and the innings break is 5 minutes. The total match duration is 75 Minutes
2. Knockout matches – Each innings must be completed in 40 minutes and the innings break is 10 minutes. The total match duration is 90 minutes

Team Reporting time:

1. The team should report 40 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of the match.

If a team does not report on time, a walkover would be given.
In case of delay in the start of the match due to late arrival of teams.

1. Delay upto 5 minutes, 1 over will be reduced per side
2. Delay upto 10 minutes, 2 overs will be reduced per side

Delay beyond 15 minutes, the match will be awarded to the opposition team.
On-field umpire’s decision would be the final one.
It is the captain’s responsibility to uphold the spirit of the game of his team.
Any prolonged argument by a team would yield a walkover to the opposition team based on the decision by umpires and organizers.
If any team walks out of the ground in protest during playtime, the team will be disqualified from the tournament.
If any team misbehaves or abuses the umpires inside the field or outside the field during the match, the team will be disqualified from the tournament.
For every win, a team would get 2 points and the losing team won’t get any points.
Walkover- 2 points to the team reporting for play and this match will not be taken for calculation of NRR.
In case of a tie in the league stages, each team would get 1 point each.
In knockout matches, if a tie happens Super over would be held.
Rules for super over

1. The team batting second in the match will bat first in the Super Over.
2. 3 Batsmen from each team can bat and 1 bowler from each team will bowl
3. The entire fielding unit is allowed to field
4. In case super over is tied, the below rules are applicable
5. Highest Number of 6’s (main + super over)– 1st priority
6. Highest Number of 4’s (main + super over) – 2nd priority
7. Least Number of wickets fallen (main + super over) – 3rd Priority
8. The above priority order only for the main match will be followed.

In league stages, if two teams are tied with the same points, NRR would be taken into account and the team which has a better NRR would move to the knockout stage.
For examples of NRR calculation please refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_run_rate
If a match is stopped due to rain, then the match would be started where it was stopped.
Any requests for change of match timings will not be entertained.
In matters of doubt not covered by the tournament rules, the decision of the tournament committee will be final and binding upon all concerned as per the standard rules.
Dead Ball [During the course of play]: The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the umpire at the bowler’s end that the fielding side and both batsmen at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play. Whether the ball is finally settled or not is a matter for the umpire alone to decide.

Batsman Rules:

All “no-balls” (As per ICC rules: front foot, side-line, above the waist, Fielding restriction, etc) result in a free hit in the next delivery, where the field can be changed only if the batsman has crossed over or no ball is due to Field restriction
A runner can be used only when a player gets injured during the innings or during fielding. A runner cannot be used for a player who is injured before the start of the match / tired during the match. The runner can be used only at the discretion of the umpires depending on the reason/cause and consent from the opposition captain.
Initial 11 only can bat during the match, irrespective of the substitutes we could take in the match.
All the other ICC cricket rules are applicable as it is.
Obstructing the field: Either batsman can be given out if he willfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action. On-field umpire’s decision would be the final one.
Batsman could be declared out,

1. When a batsman thinks that he is going to run out and he blocks the ball with his bat or changes his line intentionally when running between wickets to block the ball.
2. The striker is out should willful obstruction or distraction by either batsman prevent a catch from being made.

Batsman cannot be called out, if

1. When a batsman is running between wickets, he does not deviate from his course and the ball hits him without the batsman blocking the ball on purpose.

Bowling Rules:

Regulations are as follows

1. 8 Over’s Match -> 2 – 2 – 2 – 2 (Max overs by a bowler)
2. 10 Over’s Match -> 3 – 3 – 2 – 2 (Max overs by a bowler)

One bouncer is allowed per over, provided the ball passes between the shoulder and the head, However, the ball passing over the head will be declared as a wide.
If the first bouncer is above head height and the batsman gets out or scores runs, then it’s considered the first bouncer, and it’s considered a legal delivery. Also, batsmen would be declared out, or scored runs would be counted respectively.
Free hit is allowed for all No balls ( all foot no-balls, above waist no-balls, no balls due to fielding restriction or some other reason)
Foot no–ball can be called on the following conditions

1. If the bowler bowls without some part of the front foot either grounded [first grounding point] or in the air behind the popping crease
2. If the bowler’s back foot touches or crosses the return crease.

No-ball could also be called,

1. If the bowler bowls more than one bouncer per over
2. Any delivery, which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease
3. In case a bowler chucks during his action of bowling.
4. If field restriction rules are not followed as per the guidelines
5. If the bowler starts the over/ changes the side of the wicket from which he bowls without telling the guard to the umpire.

Chucking is strictly not allowed and if a batsman at striker or non-strikers end appeals against the action it’s left to the umpires on the field and organizing committee to analyze the action and if they find a problem they could warn the bowler. If the bowler continues with the same action umpires could call a no-ball.
Wicket-keeper wants to bowl, he could bowl but before that, it’s his/captain’s responsibility to inform the umpire about the change of wicketkeeper.
This needs to be ensured by the fielding captain & in case missed out umpires could call the delivery a no-ball.
All the other ICC cricket rules are applicable as it is.
Length of the Pitch: The pitch length would be 21 yards
Judging a Wide:

1. If the Bowler bowls the ball so high over or so wide of the wicket that, in the opinion of the Umpire it passes out of reach of the Striker, standing in a normal guard position, the Umpire shall call and signal “wide ball” as soon as it has passed the line of the Striker’s wicket.

The Umpire shall not adjudge a ball as being a wide if:

1. The Striker, by moving from his guard position, causes the ball to pass out of his reach provided the ball is within the identified wide line.
2. The Striker moves and thus brings the ball within his reach
3. If the Striker switches the Batting Guard before the ball is delivered and the ball is within the identified wide line considering both the sides of the wicket as Offside

Fielding Rules:

A maximum of 5 fielders is only allowed inside the field at any stage of the game. [Including bowler if bowler bowls around the wicket]
If a batsman during the course of backing up leaves the popping crease before the ball is delivered, he could be run out by the bowler. Giving a warning is left to the fielding captain and bowler.
During the course of bowling action, fielders other than the wicketkeeper are allowed to move only in the forward direction but not sideways. Umpire can call it a No ball if this rule is violated causing distraction.
During the course of bowling action, fielders including the wicketkeeper are not allowed to make any noise that distracts the batsman. Umpires can call it No-ball If the fielders are making such noise.
The umpires shall have the discretion to allow, for wholly acceptable reasons, a substitute fielder to act for a nominated player, at the start of the match, or at any subsequent time
If the player is absent from the field for longer than 2 overs, the player shall not be permitted to bowl in that innings after his return until he has been on the field for at least the number of overs for which he was absent.
If the player is absent from the field for longer than 2 overs, the player shall not be permitted to bat unless or until, in the aggregate, he has returned to the field and/or his side’s innings has been in progress for at least that amount of overs for which he has been absent or, if earlier, when his side wickets
The above two restrictions (5 & 6) shall not apply if the player has suffered an external blow (as opposed to an internal injury such as a pulled muscle) whilst participating earlier in the Match and consequently has been forced to leave the field. Nor shall it apply if the player has Been absent for very exceptional and wholly acceptable reasons (other than injury or illness).

This exception will be decided by on-field umpires and the organizing committee..:.