NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced new regulations for the practice sessions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams for the upcoming season.
The objective of these regulations is to ensure that the grounds and pitches are in prime condition for the league matches, while also providing teams with adequate practice opportunities.
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The key aspects of the new regulations are as follows:
1. Teams are allowed a maximum of seven practice sessions, each lasting up to three hours under floodlights. Out of these seven sessions, two can be practice matches or open nets, as decided by the team.
2. Practice matches are to be played on one of the side wickets of the main square. If a team is playing a practice match under lights, the duration should not exceed three and a half hours. Prior written approval from the BCCI is required for practice matches.
3. No practice sessions or practice matches are allowed on the main square in the four days leading up to a team’s first home match of the season. However, one side wicket per team will be provided for range hitting during this period.
4. In case both the home and away teams wish to practice at the same time, the BCCI will intervene and adjudicate the matter. The proposed resolution is to create two two-hour slots, allowing both teams exclusive use of the ground with similar playing conditions.
5. Teams will be able to practice range hitting throughout their scheduled practice sessions. One wicket for each team will be prepared at the extreme edge on both sides of the main square for this purpose.
6. During the tournament, teams will get two nets in the practice area and one of the side wickets on the main square for range hitting. In Mumbai, if both teams are practicing simultaneously, they will get two wickets each. Open nets will not be allowed, and teams cannot use the wickets if the other team finishes their practice early. No practice will be allowed on match days.
IPL 2025 will kick off on March 22 with an intriguing encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
