IPL franchises can decide on their playing XIs after the toss instead of handing over the team sheets before the spin of coin, according to the new playing conditions issued by the BCCI for the tournament, which begins on March 31.

That is one of the significant changes to the IPL’s playing conditions, which will soon be shared with the teams. The change would allow the franchises to pick their best XIs based on whether they end up batting or bowling, the appropriate impact player included.

According to clause 1.2.1 of the playing conditions: “Each captain shall nominate 11 players plus a maximum of 5 substitute fielders in writing to the IPL Match Referee after the toss.

“Other than set out in Clause 1.2.9 no player (member of the playing XI) may be changed after the nomination and prior to the start of play without the consent of the opposing captain.”

The IPL becomes the second franchise league after the SA20 to allow teams to decide on their playing XIs after the toss. In the SA20, teams were allowed to put 13 names on the team sheets before the toss.

This is done to lessen the impact of the toss and will benefit teams at venues where the dew has a significant impact on the outcome. In 2019 — the last time the IPL was played in India in a home-and-away format — teams winning the toss went on to win in 34 of the 60 games staged (not including Super Overs and no results).

The other significant change in playing conditions is penalising unfair movement by the wicketkeeper in case there is shift in position before the batter meets the ball.

There will also be an overrate penalty of only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle for every over not completed within the allocated time.