The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rolled out some provisions of its newly issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Indian team to all 10 IPL teams prior to the 2025 season.
Such regulations include keeping players confined to using only the team bus to travel and excluding family members from entering the dressing room, even on non-match days.
In the wake of India's Test series loss in Australia, the BCCI had laid down a new set of regulations, including excluding personal managers from riding on the team bus and restricting family attendance during tours. Although the same rules cannot be applied to a multi-team competition like the IPL, certain provisions have been integrated into the world's best T20 league.
A recent BCCI circular, communicated to team managers of all IPL teams, stressed that "Players must use the team bus for practice sessions. Teams may travel in two batches."
As far as player families are concerned, the new rules clearly state that they will not be allowed in the dressing room, even for training sessions.
On practice days, both prior to and during the tournament, only accredited personnel will be permitted in the dressing room and on the field of play. Family members and friends of players must travel separately and may observe training sessions from the hospitality area.".
"For support staff beyond a day's duration, including throw-down specialists and net bowlers, the teams have to provide a list for BCCI clearance. The accreditations for non-match days will then be granted subsequently," the note added.
A top official of one of the franchises hailed these developments as saying that his team already operated under similar norms.
"Even in our franchise, relatives and team owners used to be banned from entering the dressing room on off days. Yet, a few players liked going individually in their own vehicles instead of using the team bus following a match. That won't be the case anymore from this season onwards," said the official in PTI.
Moreover, the BCCI has enforced sanctions against failing to comply with rules on accreditation and dress codes for post-match presentation.
All PMOA (Players and Match Officials) accredited staff are required to wear their accreditation on match days. Failure for the first time to produce accreditation will be punished with a warning, while repeated offense will incur a financial fine on the team.".
"In post-match presentations, players cannot wear floppy hats or sleeveless shirts. The first offense will be a warning, and the second will be a monetary fine," the board said.
Additionally, the BCCI has sent a strong reminder to the batters about damage to the LED advertisement boards put outside the boundary.
Although hitting nets are available, players still hit the LED boards. We would like teams to make sure to follow this guideline.
"Players and support staff should also steer clear of sitting in front of the LED boards. Seating areas will be designated throughout the field of play for substitutes who have towels and water bottles," the board added.".
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