BCCI has issued new guidelines for IPL 2026, permission will have to be taken even to play practice matches.

BCCI Tells IPL Franchises: IPL 2026 is going to start from March 28. Before the start of the tournament, BCCI has issued guidelines regarding practice sessions. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has ordered that no team will train on a pitch that has been used by the other team during their net sessions.

According to the practice session guidelines shared by the board with the franchises, if one team practices after the other, new nets will have to be prepared. The five-page guidelines state, ‘Each team should be provided with new nets for their scheduled practice sessions. If there are simultaneous practice sessions or when one team practices after the other, the first team will not be allowed to use the other team’s net (including for throw downs). If one team ends practice early, the other team can’t even use their range-hitting wicket.”‘

Permission will have to be taken from BCCI for practice match.

If a team wants to play a practice match under lights, then the match should not last more than three and a half hours. BCCI has clearly stated this in the release. Even after taking permission from BCCI, teams will not be allowed to play more than two practice matches. BCCI has also made it clear that practice matches cannot be played on the main square.

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BCCI says, ‘No practice match or session will be held at the main square during the preparation of the pitch for the season 4 days before the opening match of the home team. During this time, if a home franchise requests it, the state association must make a second practice ground available at no cost to the franchise.” Ahead of the opening match of the season, teams will be provided with two nets in the practice area and one net at the main square for range hitting from March 16.

BCCI can intervene

The BCCI note further states that the home team will be given preference over the traveling team. “Although the home team should get first choice for the preferred session, the opposition team’s request will be considered.” BCCI will intervene if there is any conflict regarding practice session. If the two teams are unable to resolve the double booking, the BCCI will consider the requests of both the teams and decide the practice timings, the likely outcome of which will be two 2-hour slots, giving both teams equal playing conditions with exclusive use of the ground.”