The International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively considering a rule change that allows head coaches to enter the field of play during official drinks breaks in One Day Internationals (ODIs). This proposal is part of a series of major amendments scheduled for discussion and potential approval at the upcoming ICC Board Meeting in Ahmedabad on May 30, 2026. Under existing playing conditions, only substitute players are permitted to step onto the ground during recesses. They are required to be dressed in proper cricket attire. The proposed amendment aligns the 50-over format with T20 Internationals (T20Is), where coaches are already allowed on-field interactions to pass on tactical advice.

This is because ODIs feature two scheduled drinks breaks per innings (roughly 70 minutes apart), this change will give coaches up to four distinct windows per match to regroup directly with their players on the field. It remains unconfirmed if the coaches will be required to wear the official team jersey. The virtual ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) meeting led by Sourav Ganguly will put forward several other radical proposals that will also hit the table in Ahmedabad. One of them will include the addition of Pink Ball during test matches. Teams may be permitted to switch from a standard red ball to a pink ball during a conventional Test match to keep playing under floodlights in the event of bad weather, provided both sides mutually agree.

ICC to propose shorter inning breaks during T20I matches

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to slash the official T20 International (T20I) mid-innings break from 20 minutes down to 15 minutes. This proposal is aimed at preserving the fast-paced nature of the format and ensuring that matches consistently finish well within their targeted three-hour window. The current standard ICC playing conditions mandate a 20-minute interval between innings. The proposed amendment will shave off exactly 5 minutes, cutting the turnaround time to 15 minutes. Under the new framework being discussed, match referees will retain the flexibility to shrink the innings break even further,down to just 10 minutes, if weather delays or rain-shortened matches require a rapid turnaround to avoid losing overs.

This proposal has already been cleared by the ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) and will face a final binding vote at the ICC Board Meeting in Ahmedabad on May 30, 2026. ICC is making these changes because major franchise competitions like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) already utilize shorter, tighter mid-innings windows. The ICC wants international cricket to match this lean broadcast pace. T20 was originally designed to be a high-octane, rapid spectacle. A shorter break prevents television and stadium audiences from losing interest during the lull between innings. A 15-minute window forces the bowling team to quickly regroup, finalize their death-over maps, and hit the field without letting their intensity drop.