The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) surprised everyone on Monday, March 23, by bringing in a new set of rules for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The upcoming IPL 2026 is set to begin on March 28 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the season-opening match in Bengaluru.
However, to avoid logistical and security clashes with assembly elections in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam, the BCCI has announced the schedule of only the first 20 matches of the 2026 season from March 28 to April 12. The second reason is to give the ground staff enough time to prepare the pitches for the IPL after they are used in the T20 World Cup 2026.
BCCI introduced new rules for IPL 2026
Well, a few days before the start of IPL 2026, BCCI announced that all ten participating franchises will no longer be allowed to conduct full practice sessions on match days.
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Instead, they will get only two nets in the practice area and a small space at the main intersection for range-hitting. For example, if both the teams come together to train at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, each side will have just two wickets to work with.
Strict new training rules for all locations
Additionally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has also sent a long list of dos and don’ts to all the teams, as reported by The Times of India on Tuesday.
The BCCI has made it clear to all the teams that open nets will not be allowed, and even if one team finishes its practice early, the other team cannot use its allotted wickets.
Interestingly, BCCI has also banned fitness tests at main intersections on match days.
Difficult journey and family rules
On normal practice days, players must travel on the team bus, although they may split into two groups. In another strong move, family members are no longer allowed to travel with players.
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From now on, they will have to come separately and can visit only from the hospitality area. To the players’ shock ahead of the upcoming season, match day instructions are even stricter.
Match Day Instructions and Dress Code
BCCI has asked the players to try not to hit the ball towards the LED board. Players and support staff are not allowed to sit in front of the LED board. In the upcoming season of the world’s biggest T20 Mahakumbh, substitute players will have fixed seating areas with towels and water.
And most importantly, BCCI has made it mandatory for the Orange and Purple cap winners to wear the caps for at least the first two overs, so that the broadcasters can see them easily.
The board has also completely banned sleeveless jerseys and flip-flops for post-match presentations. If players fail to follow this rule, they first receive a warning, and if they repeat the mistake, they have to pay a fine.
IPL 2026 – Do’s and Don’ts (Match and Practice Rules)
| Social class | rules (short) |
|---|---|
| Practice | No open net sessions are allowed |
| Practice | Fixed wickets per team; No sharing if someone finishes early |
| match day | No fitness drill at main intersection |
| Travel | Team bus travel mandatory (may be split into batches) |
| Travel | Players travel apart from family |
| Practice | Avoid hitting the ball on the LED boards |
| Dug out | One should not sit in front of LED board |
| broadcast | Wear a hat (orange/violet) for visibility |
| presentation | No sleeveless jerseys or slippers |
| Discipline | Violation of dress code results in warning/fine |