The BCCI has introduced a series of important changes to the playing conditions for the 2026-27 domestic season, with new rules covering deliberate no-balls, match declarations, wicketkeeping and the completion of overs.
According to a report, the BCCI has informed all state associations about the revised playing conditions. The changes are based on recent updates made by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of cricket’s laws at Lord’s, London.
One of the biggest changes concerns bowlers who intentionally deliver front-foot no-balls or non-landing deliveries. Under the new rule, if on-field umpires decide that such a delivery was bowled deliberately, the bowler will be suspended for the remainder of the match. Earlier, the punishment only kept the bowler out for the rest of that innings.
Another key update relates to the final over of the day’s play in red-ball cricket. The over must now be completed even if a wicket falls before all six balls are bowled. Previously, play would end immediately after a wicket during the final over because additional time was needed for the incoming batter.
The BCCI has also removed the option for teams to declare or forfeit the final innings of a red-ball match. The change aims to prevent teams from using the rule to influence or manufacture match results.
In domestic one-day cricket, head coaches will now be allowed to enter the field during drinks breaks, bringing the rule in line with a proposed change for international cricket.
There is also a change for wicketkeepers. They will now only need to ensure that their gloves are behind the stumps at the exact moment the ball is delivered. Under the previous rule, wicketkeepers had to keep their gloves behind the stumps from the beginning of the bowler’s run-up.
The revised playing conditions will come into effect from the upcoming domestic season, which begins with the Duleep Trophy next month. According to the report, state associations have already started briefing umpires and match referees about the new rules, while awareness programmes for officials are also being planned.
It is still unclear whether these changes will be adopted in the Indian Premier League (IPL), as the tournament follows a separate set of playing conditions.
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