The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced stricter guidelines for players and officials ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025).
The BCCI made it mandatory that all players must use the team bus for travel to practice sessions, just like Team India from this season. As reported by Cricbuzz, the new guidelines have been shared with all ten franchises and their team managers by the BCCI.
BCCI issues new travel, dressing room, and jersey guidelines for IPL 2025
The Indian Cricket Board also made another significant yet surprising change for the players’ families. From the upcoming IPL 2025, family members of the players and support staff can’t enter the dressing rooms, even on practice days.
Additionally, the BCCI has restricted fitness tests on the main pitch before matches. Earlier, the team physios used to test a player’s fitness just before the start of the match on the match pitch. The board has also made it compulsory for players to wear the orange and purple caps for at least two overs during games and during post-match presentation ceremonies.
The players will not be allowed to appear wearing sleeveless jerseys in post-match presentation ceremonies. To ensure clarity on these new rules, the BCCI has called an in-person meeting with all team captains on March 20 at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai.
New Practice Rules for IPL 2025:
- Each team will be assigned two nets in the practice area along with one side wicket on the main square for range hitting. However, at the Mumbai venue, if both teams are practicing simultaneously, they will receive two wickets each.
- Open nets will not be allowed, which means all practice sessions must be conducted in designated areas.
- If a team completes its practice session early, the other team can’t use the wickets for their practice.
- No practice will be allowed on match days, ensuring the ground remains in top-notch condition.
- Fitness tests on the main square will also be allowed on match days.
- On both pre-tournament and tournament practice days, only accredited staff will be allowed to enter the dressing room and on the field.
- Family members and friends of players must use separate vehicles and can only watch practice from the hospitality area.
- Any additional support staff, such as throwdown specialists or net bowlers, will require BCCI approval before being granted non-match day approval.
- Players must travel to practice in the team bus, but they can travel in two separate batches.
- For any practice-related concerns, including fitness test approvals on match days, teams must coordinate with the venue manager, who will serve as the primary point of contact.
Match Day Guidelines for IPL 2025
- All Player and Match Officials Areas (PMOA)-accredited staff must carry their accreditation on match days.
- A first-time failure to present accreditation will result in a warning; a second-time failure will lead to a fine for the team.
- Players must wear orange and purple caps for at least the first two overs for TV broadcast purposes.
- Floppy hats and sleeveless jerseys are not allowed during the post-match presentation. First violation: warning; second violation: financial penalty.
- Only 12 accredited support staff, including the team doctor, will be allowed on match days.
- Teams are urged to follow the guidelines and avoid damaging the equipment like LEDs.
- Players and support staff must not sit in front of the LED boards. The sponsorship team will mark places across the FOP where substitutes carrying towels and water bottles can be seated.
- If a player’s jersey number is changing, the team must inform at least 24 hours in advance, as per the clothing and equipment guidelines.
