The Board of Control for Cricket in India, or the BCCI, has changed one of the rules related to runs for a penalty in the domestic level of cricket. Recently, the BCCI issued a statement to its state associations with a new clarification, stating that if the ball accidentally hits any equipment item during a game, this will no longer be considered to be illegal fielding. In a note, Cricbuzz read: "It is not considered illegal fielding if the ball contacts piece of clothing, equipment or any other object that has accidentally fallen from the fielder's person. Wicketkeeping gloves or a fielder's cap that is tucked into the fielder's waistband, will not be penalised with penalty runs. The ball will remain in play and a dismissal would be valid." The old ruling would provide a penalty of five runs in that case. It has released an example by the BCCI to justify the alteration. Question: The Batter hits the ball, it then bounces off the hat tucked behind the short-leg fielder and is caught by the other fielder before touching the ground. The batters also complete a run. What is the decision? Also Read | VVS Laxman Named India Head Coach for South Africa Series Answer: The batsman is not out. As per Law 28.2.3 the ball becomes dead from the moment of impact with the tucked hat as it is considered illegal fielding, but under this new ruling. Reasoning: If any other clothing or gear, except a towel, is not in its normal position, it was considered abandoned and touching the ball would attract a penalty. For example, if a bowler's cap tucked into his waistband falls and touches the ball, a five-run penalty would be called and the ball declared dead. This new rule states that if a cap or any other piece of equipment, for example KL Rahul's cap, tucked into the waist falls and touches the ball, it will no longer be considered an illegal act. Accoring to the relevant rule 28.2.3, when the fielder had illegitimately touched the ball, it would become dead with any runs scored at that time and a five-run penalty. The umpires were to notify the two teams involved and might further send a report to the BCCI Match Referee after the game. This amendment rescinds the penalty for an unintentional contact with anything which was not worn as the part of the gear.