The BCCI has partially extended its recently implemented SOPs on the Indian team to the 10 IPL franchises ahead of the 2025 edition, covering players’ travel by only team bus and barring the entry of families in dressing rooms even on non-match days, PTI reports.
Following India’s loss in the Test series in Australia, the BCCI came up with a set of rules that barred personal managers from travelling in the team bus besides limiting the presence of players’ families on tours.
The exact same SOPs can’t be applied in a multi-team competition like the IPL but some of them have made their way to the world’s premier T20 league.
“Players to use the team bus while coming for practice. Teams may travel in two batches,” read a BCCI note that was shared with the team managers of all IPL sides recently and accessed by the newswire.
As for as the families of players, they won’t be allowed in the dressing room even on training days.
“On practice days (during pre-tournament & tournament), only accredited staff is allowed in the dressing room and on the field of play. Player family members and friends to travel in a different vehicle and can watch team practice from the hospitality area.
“For extended support staff (throw down specialist/net bowlers) list need to be submitted for approval to BCCI. Once approved, non- match day accreditations will be issued for the same,” the BCCI note further reads.
According to Cricbuzz, the new rules were conveyed to the IPL sides through a BCCI note which also asked the host grounds to allow the usage of the facilities in any local games, legends leagues or celebrity tournaments. According to the new directive, teams can have no more than seven sessions while only two warm-up matches will be permitted.
The report suggested that the decisions were taken “in view of the venues taking load during domestic matches, being played close to the start of the IPL season”.
The new season will begin on March 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders locking horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The national cricket board has issued additional directives regarding player conduct and on-field procedures for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Notably, the BCCI has prohibited fitness tests from being conducted on the main square of the pitch during match days. This restriction alters the common practice of team physiotherapists utilising the central track to assess player fitness immediately prior to the start of a game.
The BCCI has further said that the players must wear Orange and Purple caps at least for two overs and during post-match presentation ceremonies, the players must not wear sleeveless jerseys.
