India's middle-order batsman, Virat Kohli, finds the new ODI rules begin by the ICC confusing and feels the new run-out rule is vague. The new ICC rules came into request in the ongoing five-match India-England series, the first game of which India won by 126 runs in Hyderabad.
It is a good change. It might turn out to be more attractive and thrilling eventually but in the first match it was very confusing. The run out rule is a little vague, no one knows how the obstruction rule will apply,Kohli said.
According to the new rule, on appeal from the fielders, if the umpire feels that a batsman, while running between the wickets, has significantly changed his direction without likely cause to save his wicket. When a fielder attempts to run the batsman out, should be given out obstructing the field. It shall not be relevant whether a run out would have been effected or not.
For making a decision to declare the batsman out obstructing the field, the on-field umpires may consult the third-umpire. There were four run outs in the first ODI (India 3, England 1) but none involved the 'obstructing the field' rule.
Among the other changes, each fielding side is given two new balls to be used in alternate over, one at each end. The mandatory change of the ball after the 34th over of an innings will not take place anymore.
The two powerplay blocks, which the bowling team and the batting team decide to take as per their wish after the end of first 10 over Mandatory Powerplay will not be taken earlier than the 16th over nor be completed later than the 40th over.
Talking about Monday's match, Kohli said he expects the Feroze Shah Kotla pitch to be its usual slow self and India would be relying more on the spin department to deliver the wickets on such a track.
Delhi wicket has always been on slower side, there won't be too much of bounce but I think this time it would be better than before for sure,he said.Spinners would be our strength, we have good pacers also but spin is our strength and we will capitalize in the middle over using our spinners,he added.
Going into the match after a massive win in the lung-opener, India strike a confident pose after the hammering the team got in the shambolic tour to England. Kohli said the Hyderabad win was just the kind of boost India needed.
Obviously, its self-assurance booster after the England series, we have been preparing for some time. We were keen to do well. The fact that we beat them with a big margin; it was a believable victory so it will obviously give us confidence. We will take this self-assurance into the next game on Monday,he said.