From Test to T20I – 5 major changes in the rules of the game in the ICC meeting, understand the whole thing in points

ICC Board Meeting Decisions: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced several important changes after the end of its meetings on Monday. These meetings were held during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final match (GT Vs RCB) in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The ICC has taken many such decisions during this period, the main objective of which is to strengthen the administration of cricket, advance women’s cricket and improve competitions at the international level. The ICC Board has also approved the suggestions received from the meeting of chief officials. Let us explain these major changes and decisions in simple words.

Many major changes took place in the rules of the game

• Pink ball trial: A trial will be conducted to use pink ball to deal with the problem of stoppage of play due to bad light in Test matches. However, for this, mutual consent of both the teams is necessary before the start of the match or series.
• Use of Hawk-Eye Technology: Match officials will now use ‘hawk-eye’ when reporting incorrect bowling action (injury or questionable action) by a bowler. Will be able to take help of data.
• Research on lighting technology: Research will be done on the lighting technology of stadiums to reduce disruptions in sports due to poor lighting. ICC and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) will work together for this.
• Time for Strategy: Fixed ‘drinks break’ during the match. Now the head coach or his representative will be able to talk to the players of his team on the field.
• New rule in T20I: Now it will be mandatory to take a break of 15 minutes in T-20 international matches and the batsmen will have to be ready to play immediately as soon as the break is over.
• Leg-side wide and new rules: ‘Leg-side wide’ The trial rule has now been implemented forever. At the same time, the remaining changes in the cricket rules of MCC will come into effect from October 1, 2026.

Decisions on franchise and women’s cricket

In view of the growing T20 and franchise leagues around the world, ICC has formed a committee. This committee will work on how to maintain the right coordination between franchise cricket and mutual matches between countries (International Calendar). Apart from this, the dates of ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 have been changed. Now this tournament will be played between February 14 and 28, 2027 instead of June-July.

Indian cricket team with the trophy in Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 (Photo- @ICC)

ICC will start a new tournament of 10 teams in the year 2026 to promote women’s cricket. In this, teams from 5 ICC full members and 5 associate countries will be selected on the basis of ranking and performance in the last T20 World Cup. A new ‘Global Qualifier’ for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup The recommendation to start the competition has been approved. The rules and route of this 16-team qualifier will be decided soon.

action on cricket canada

The ICC has suspended Cricket Canada with immediate effect for non-compliance with the rules (breach of membership conditions). However, even after this suspension, the Canadian team will have less impact. Even during the suspension, Canada’s national teams will continue to play in ICC tournaments so that their game does not suffer.

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The ICC will not directly fund the Canadian team’s expenses, but will instead use a ‘controlled funding system’ Through this, the ICC itself will spend money only on the needs of the national teams and approved programs under its supervision. ICC will set some conditions to improve the administrative problems going on in Canada Cricket Board. A ‘Normalization Committee’ Has been created. Only when this committee and the ICC Board are completely satisfied, Canada’s membership will be reinstated.