As the excitement builds for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, the BCCI has quietly rolled out a fresh set of guidelines that players and teams must strictly follow. These new rules focus on discipline, presentation and smoother match operations.
One of the key instructions is about travel. Players are now expected to use the team bus when heading to practice sessions. Meanwhile, their families must travel separately and can only watch training from designated hospitality areas. This ensures better organisation and limits unnecessary movement around practice zones.
The board has also taken player appearance seriously. Cricketers have been advised not to wear floppy hats or sleeveless jerseys during post-match presentations. Ignoring this rule once will lead to a warning but repeated violations could result in financial penalties.
Another interesting directive involves the iconic orange and purple caps. Players who are eligible are encouraged to wear them, especially during the first two overs of a match, so broadcasters can capture those moments clearly.
Practice sessions have also been tightly regulated. Teams will get two nets and one side wicket for range hitting. At venues like Wankhede Stadium, both teams will receive equal practice space if training simultaneously. Teams cannot use unused wickets if the other side finishes early. Open nets are not allowed and no practice or fitness tests can take place on match days.
Additionally, any change in jersey numbers must be reported at least 24 hours in advance.
The season kicks off soon, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The first set of matches runs from March 28 to April 12, with the full schedule expected shortly.
