In preparation for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced new regulations to limit teams’ practice sessions and protect pitch quality. As per the latest directives, franchises will be allowed only seven practice sessions before their opening match, with a maximum of two warm-up games or centre wicket practice sessions. Unlike previous seasons, where no such restrictions existed, the BCCI’s decision aims to prevent excessive wear and tear on playing surfaces.
The board had earlier prohibited IPL venues from hosting local matches, legends leagues, or celebrity games leading up to the tournament. Now, in addition to those restrictions, the new practice regulations are designed to ensure high-quality pitches throughout the competition.
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Practice Guidelines for IPL Teams
According to the BCCI’s official note to all franchises, teams may conduct up to seven practice sessions of three hours each under floodlights. Of these, two sessions can be either practice matches or open net sessions, provided they take place on one of the side wickets of the main square. Any practice match held under lights must not exceed three and a half hours and requires prior written approval from the board.
Additionally, teams will not be allowed to practice on the main square for four days leading up to their first home match. Instead, they will have access to a side wicket for range hitting. The move is aimed at balancing IPL preparations with the ongoing domestic cricket season, which puts a heavy load on venues.
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BCCI Introduces Conflict Resolution Mechanism
With these new regulations, potential scheduling conflicts may arise when both teams wish to practice simultaneously. To address this, the BCCI has implemented a conflict resolution mechanism. Initially, team managers will negotiate a schedule among themselves. If an agreement is not reached, the board will intervene and allocate two-hour slots to ensure fair practice opportunities with exclusive ground access.
At Mumbai’s venue, when both teams practice at the same time, they will be assigned two wickets each. No practice will be allowed on match days, and teams must strictly adhere to their allotted practice durations. Open nets will not be permitted, and access to practice areas will be restricted to players, support staff, and net bowlers to maintain safety standards.
