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As the Indian Premier League (IPL) gears up for its much-anticipated 2025 edition, set to kick off on March 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a series of stringent regulations governing practice sessions for all franchises. These new guidelines aim to preserve pitch quality, ensure fair access to facilities, and maintain optimal playing conditions throughout the tournament.
Key Highlights of the New Regulations
The BCCI’s decision marks a significant shift from previous seasons, where teams enjoyed unrestricted access to practice sessions. For IPL 2025, franchises are now limited to seven practice sessions , each capped at three hours under floodlights. Additionally, only two warm-up matches or centre-wicket practice sessions are permitted, with strict conditions attached.
Practice Session Guidelines
- Limited Sessions : Teams can conduct up to seven practice sessions, with two of these being practice matches or open net sessions.
- Duration Restrictions : Practice matches cannot exceed three and a half hours and require prior approval from the BCCI.
- Pitch Preservation : No practice sessions or matches are allowed on the main square during the four days leading up to a team’s first home match. However, range hitting is permitted on side wickets during this period.
- Venue Restrictions : Stadium authorities have been instructed not to host local games, legends leagues, or celebrity tournaments before the IPL season to protect the grounds.
Conflict Resolution Mechanism
With multiple teams vying for practice slots, the BCCI has introduced a structured mechanism to resolve scheduling conflicts:
- Internal Resolution : Team managers are encouraged to negotiate mutually agreeable schedules.
- BCCI Intervention : If no agreement is reached, the BCCI will step in, likely dividing practice slots into two-hour windows. For example:
- Slot 1: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Slot 2: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
This ensures equal access to facilities while minimizing disputes.
Range Hitting and Safety Regulations
To balance training needs with safety concerns, the BCCI has outlined specific rules for range hitting:
- Each team will be allocated one designated wicket at the edge of the main square for activities like range hitting, bowling run-throughs, throwdowns, and run-ups.
- Open or partially open nets are prohibited, and nets must be positioned away from the pavilion side to reduce injury risks.
- Only players, team support staff, and net bowlers are allowed on the field during practice sessions.
Practice Rules During the Tournament
Once the IPL season begins, additional guidelines will come into effect to maintain fairness:
- Teams will have access to two nets in the practice area and one side wicket for range hitting. At venues like Mumbai, both teams practicing simultaneously will receive two wickets each.
- Open nets are strictly prohibited.
- If one team finishes their session early, the other team cannot extend their practice time or use extra wickets.
- No practice sessions are allowed on match days.
Why the BCCI Introduced These Changes
The BCCI’s move to impose these restrictions stems from the need to preserve pitch quality and ensure consistency across venues. In previous seasons, excessive use of pitches and grounds for local tournaments and extended practice sessions often led to uneven playing surfaces, affecting the quality of matches. By limiting practice sessions and enforcing strict regulations, the board aims to provide all teams with an equal opportunity to prepare while maintaining the integrity of the playing conditions.
IPL 2025: A Grand Kickoff
The 2025 IPL season promises to be a spectacle, beginning with a blockbuster clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens. With these new regulations in place, fans can expect high-quality cricket played on pristine pitches, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
