The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday conducted an official pre-season briefing for the captains of all 10 Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. The meeting, a customary curtain-raiser held at the BCCI headquarters, focused on clarifying the playing conditions, new practice protocols and specific match-day rules ahead of the 19th edition of the tournament.
The meeting was chaired by Javagal Srinath, Head of the BCCI Match Umpires Panel, and Nitin Menon, India’s representative on the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. In a historic first for the league, the assembly featured an all-India captain’s contingent. This included Ishan Kishan, who represented Sunrisers Hyderabad as interim captain in the absence of Pat Cummins, along with other captains such as Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians), Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings).
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During the meeting BCCI confirmed that the much debated Impact Player rule he will remain in place until at least 2027, despite most franchise captains expressing reservations during Wednesday’s preseason briefing.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT PLAYER RULE
The Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023, allows teams to replace a member of the starting XI at any point in a match. While the BCCI had earlier extended the rule until 2024, it remains a point of contention among players and coaches who say it affects the balance between bat and ball.
According to league sources, most captains expressed concern during the meeting about the tactical implications of the rule. However, officials have clarified that there will be no further review of the regulation before the end of the 2027 season.
PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE BALL
The briefing also addressed game conditions regarding the dew factor. Currently, the playing conditions allow a ball change after the 10th over of the second innings if the ball is difficult to grip due to moisture.
One captain suggested that a similar change of ball be allowed after the 10th over of the first innings to ensure parity. The proposal did not receive significant support from the judges or the wider group. The BCCI has argued that the current rule is specifically designed to counter heavy dew, which is statistically more common during the second innings of night matches. As a result, the current protocol continues.
NEW TRAINING PROTOCOLS
The BCCI has provided further clarification on the revised coaching guidelines for release in 2026. According to the new guidelines:
Match Day Restrictions: No formal training sessions are allowed on match day.
Use of the pitch: If a team finishes its scheduled practice before the allotted time, the opposing team may not use the remaining time for those specific goals.
The captains demanded clarification of the logistical impact of these rules. Officials said the measures are aimed at managing wear and tear on the pitch and ensuring uniform conditions at various tournament venues.
The meeting ended with a briefing on player behavior and penalties for exceeding the rate. The organizers emphasized that the captains will bear a strict responsibility to maintain the tempo of the game.
IPL 2026 will begin with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting SunRisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, March 28.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
25 March 2026 20:26 IST
