Sports India

The Cricket Regulatory Board has decided to introduce 20:20 cricket in India, reports CNBC-TV18.

But how different is this format of the game? After months of resistance the BCCI has finally given in to pressure from the ICC and agreed on playing 20:20 cricket in the country .

Fans will get to see the first domestic 20-20 match in April next year. While some believe this shortest version of the game will add speed and excitement, for some it’s just not cricket.

A 20:20 match lasts for just three hours. The duration of each innings is 75 minutes where fielding restrictions apply for the first 6 overs. Each bowler can bowl a maximum of four overs.

Each side must face five overs for the match to be counted. The Duckworth-Lewis method shall be applied in interrupted matches. A no-ball will be penalized by a free-hit next ball and a batsman cannot be out from a free-hit delivery unless he is run out.

With big hitters like Dhoni and Sehwag, 20:20 might just turn out to be the blockbuster that brings in fans to watch domestic matches in India. Most test playing nations that have already taken to this format have seen it gain popularity. So can 20:20 get the Indian cricket fan back to the deserted stadiums?