The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced new restrictions on practice sessions for Indian Premier League (IPL) teams ahead of the 2025 season. As per the latest directive, teams will be allowed a maximum of seven practice sessions, with only two warm-up matches permitted. The BCCI has communicated these changes to all IPL franchises through an official note.
Additionally, host venues have been instructed to allow the use of their facilities for local tournaments, legends leagues, and celebrity matches. According to a report by Cricbuzz, these restrictions have been imposed due to the heavy load on venues from domestic matches, which are scheduled close to the start of the IPL season.
Regulations on Practice Matches and Pitch Usage
The IPL 2025 season is set to begin on March 22 at Eden Gardens, where Kolkata Knight Riders will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The BCCI note specifies that practice sessions will be limited to three hours under floodlights. Teams can opt for either practice matches or open-net sessions, but these must take place on side wickets rather than the main square. If a team chooses to play a practice match under lights, it cannot exceed three and a half hours.
Additionally, any practice matches must receive prior written approval from the BCCI. To maintain the quality of the playing surface, no team will be allowed to practice on the main square during the four days leading up to their first home game. However, one side wicket will be made available for range-hitting practice upon request by the home franchise.
Managing Practice Schedule Conflicts
The BCCI has also provided guidelines for handling situations where both teams wish to practice at the same time. If a scheduling conflict arises, the two team managers will be asked to resolve the issue among themselves, either by adjusting their sessions or sharing the practice time. If they fail to reach an agreement, the BCCI will intervene and allocate two-hour slots to ensure both teams receive equal access to practice facilities.
This will typically result in separate time slots, such as 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, allowing each team exclusive use of the ground during their allocated period. These new measures aim to ensure a fair and well-managed practice schedule for all IPL franchises while preserving the condition of the match venues.
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