Viewers who tuned in for the IPL 2024 Qualifier 1, between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad were surprised to see a “tree” emoji being shown in place of the normal dots whenever a dot ball was bowled during the clash.
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As KKR and SRH were involved in a high-pressure game at Ahmedabad on Tuesday, audiences noticed the change for the first time in the edition, which led to curiosity all around. It was later confirmed that IPL broadcasters will show a dot ball with a symbol of a tree instead during the four playoff games this season. This is a repeat of the incentive that was taken last year when a similar tree symbol was seen on scorecards instead of the red dots during the four playoff matches.
Harsha Bhogle, on commentary, had cleared the air about the change in 2023 and revealed that the step was a part of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s green initiative.
Under the program, the BCCI will be partnering with the Tata Group and will be planting as many as 500 trees for every dot ball bowled during the four playoff games. Hence, symbols of trees were displayed whenever the overs progression chart was brought up on the screens.
Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary, had tweeted about the initiative last year. “We are proud to partner @TataCompanies in planting 500 saplings for each dot ball in the @IPL playoffs. Qualifier 1 #GTvsCSK got 42,000 saplings, thanks to 84 dot balls,” he wrote.
We are proud to partner @TataCompanies in planting 500 saplings for each dot ball in the @IPL playoffs. Qualifier 1 #GTvsCSK got 42,000 saplings, thanks to 84 dot balls.
Who says T20 is a batter’s game? Bowlers’ it’s all in your hands #TATAIPLGreenDots 🌳 🌳 🌳
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) May 24, 2023
