The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has announced new rules for practice sessions for teams participating in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Teams are now limited to a maximum of seven practice sessions before the tournament begins. Previously, there were no such restrictions.
According to a recent communication to IPL franchises, the BCCI has specified that teams can only have up to two warm-up matches or center wicket practice sessions. These new guidelines align with the BCCI’s recent instruction to IPL venues to restrict ground usage for local games and other tournaments. The aim is to maintain optimal conditions for both the grounds and pitches for the IPL.
The BCCI’s note details that teams are allowed a maximum of seven practice sessions, each lasting up to three hours under floodlights, before their first match. Out of these, two sessions can be practice matches or open net sessions. Practice matches should be held on side wickets, not the main pitch. Practice matches under lights should not exceed three and a half hours. Teams need to obtain prior written approval from the BCCI for any practice matches.
To ensure pitch readiness for the season, teams are prohibited from practicing or playing practice matches on the main square in the four days leading up to their first home game. However, one side wicket per team will be available for activities like range hitting during this period. State Associations will accommodate requests from home franchises during this time.
The IPL season is scheduled to start on March 22nd at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, featuring a match between the current champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In case of scheduling conflicts where both home and away teams want to practice at the same time, the BCCI will intervene. The board will encourage team managers to resolve scheduling issues, possibly by adjusting session times or sharing sessions. If teams cannot agree, the BCCI will decide practice times, likely allocating two-hour slots to each team to ensure fair practice conditions and exclusive ground access.
Teams are permitted to practice range hitting throughout their allocated practice sessions. One wicket on the edge of the main square will be prepared for each team for range hitting, bowling practice, run-ups, and similar activities. The BCCI has clarified that requests for open or partially open net sessions will not be granted. Nets must be oriented away from the pavilion for safety. Only players, team staff, and net bowlers are allowed on the field of play during practice.
During the tournament, teams will have access to two nets in the practice area and one side wicket on the main square for range hitting. In Mumbai venues, if both teams practice simultaneously, each team will get two wickets. Open net sessions are not allowed during the tournament. If a team finishes practice early, the other team cannot extend their practice into the vacated time slot. Importantly, no practice is permitted on match days.
