Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
With the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) nearing, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly issued new rules and directives. If reports are to be believed, the BCCI has outlined a fresh diktat, which also caters to the several new changes, including practice rules, and others.
As per a report by Cricbuzz, the BCCI has issued directives to the IPL centres to not let the grounds be used for any practice or local games, including several other small leagues or celebrity tournaments. This decision by the Indian cricket board comes seeing that they want the grounds and the pitches to be in prime condition.
BCCI makes new rules ahead of IPL 2025: Reports
In a big development, the BCCI has also regulated the practice sessions for the IPL teams, allowing no more than seven sessions. Moreover, the board has also stated that the teams can have only two warm-up games or centre wicket practice sessions. "In advance of the first match of the season and as set out in the Stadium Agreement, teams may have up to seven (7) practice sessions of up to three (3) hours in duration under floodlights, of which two (2) can be practice matches or open nets as decided by the team. The practice matches to take place on one of the side wickets of the main square,” the BCCI note read.
“If a team is playing a practice match under lights, the duration of the match should not exceed more than three and a half hours. As per the Operational Rules, practice matches require the prior written approval of the BCCI," the note further read. The report also added, "In order to prepare the pitch for the season, no practice sessions or practice matches may be played on the main square in the four (4) days leading up to the relevant franchisee's first home match of the season. However, 1 side wicket per team will be provided for range hitting on these days. During this period, if requested by the home franchisee, the State Association."
Speaking of the upcoming edition, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will open the season in a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22. The knockout stage will commence from May 20 with the final scheduled for Sunday, May 25.
