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With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 set to begin on March 22, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced stricter regulations to ensure smooth tournament operations. These include banning family members from dressing rooms and making it compulsory for players to travel by team bus. The new rules, communicated via an official email to franchises, were also discussed in a virtual meeting with team managers on February 18.
Additionally, fitness tests on match days will no longer be allowed on the main square, and players must adhere to specific uniform guidelines, including wearing Orange and Purple Caps for at least two overs. An in-person meeting with all IPL captains is scheduled for March 20 in Mumbai to explain the revised guidelines.
Table of content
Key Changes in IPL 2025 Regulations
1. Restrictions on Family Members and Dressing Room Access
- On match days, only accredited staff are allowed inside the dressing room.
- Even on practice days, family members and friends cannot enter the dressing room or field of play.
- Family members and friends must travel separately and can only watch practice sessions from hospitality areas.
- Extended support staff, such as throw-down specialists and net bowlers, must be approved by BCCI before receiving non-match day accreditations.
2. Mandatory Team Bus Travel
- Players must travel to practice sessions and matches using the team bus.
- Teams can travel in two batches if required.
- This aligns with similar policies followed by Team India during international tours.
3. Training and Practice Regulations
- Each team will be allocated two nets in the practice area and one side wicket for range-hitting.
- At the Mumbai venue, if both teams are practicing simultaneously, they will get two wickets each.
- Open nets are not allowed during training sessions.
- If a team finishes practice early, the other team cannot use the extra wickets.
- No practice sessions will be allowed on match days.
- Fitness tests on the main square are banned on match days.
4. Match Day Regulations
- Accreditation is mandatory for all PMOA (Players & Match Officials Area) staff.
- First-time violators will receive a warning.
- Second-time violators will face monetary fines.
- Hitting nets will be provided, but players must avoid hitting LED boards.
- Players and support staff cannot sit in front of the LED boards to ensure visibility for sponsors.
- Substitutes carrying towels and water bottles will have designated seating areas across the field.
- Orange and Purple Caps must be worn for at least two overs to ensure proper broadcast visibility.
- Players cannot wear sleeveless jerseys or floppy hats during the post-match presentation.
- First violation: Warning
- Second violation: Financial penalty
- On match days, only 12 accredited support staff are permitted, including the team doctor.
5. Jersey Number Guidelines
- Any change in jersey numbers must be communicated to the BCCI at least 24 hours in advance, in compliance with the clothing and equipment guidelines.
Why These Changes?
The BCCI has enforced these strict protocols to maintain security, discipline, and professional standards during IPL 2025. These rules ensure uninterrupted operations, prevent unnecessary disruptions, and enhance the commercial appeal of the tournament by adhering to sponsorship and broadcasting requirements.
With IPL 2025 promising record-breaking revenues, the new guidelines emphasize professionalism and consistency, ensuring the smooth execution of one of the world’s biggest sporting leagues.
