IPL 2025: BCCI Imposes New Restrictions on IPL Team Practice Sessions

In a decision that would surely surprise the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set strict rules for practice sessions before the 2025 season. For the first time in IPL history, teams will be allowed only seven practice sessions before their first match. There was no specific rule for training sessions before. Interestingly, BCCI might be thinking about some red-ball practice during IPL 2025 for players expected to go to England for the five-match Test series that begins less than a month after the T20 league.

According to a recent Cricbuzz report, BCCI has stated that teams can have only two warm-up games or center-wicket practice sessions. The reason? To keep the pitches and stadium facilities in top condition for the high-energy tournament. BCCI also recently instructed IPL teams that they cannot practice at IPL venues before the tournament. Almost all franchises have started their training camps but are not holding them at their home grounds.

"In advance of the first match of the season and as set out in the Stadium Agreement, teams may have up to seven (7) practice sessions of up to three (3) hours in duration under floodlights, of which two (2) can be practice matches or open nets as decided by the team. The practice matches to take place on one of the side wickets of the main square. If a team is playing a practice match under lights, the duration of the match should not exceed more than three and a half hours. As per the Operational Rules, practice matches require the prior written approval of the BCCI," states the BCCI note, as reported by Cricbuzz.

Making the rules even stricter, the BCCI has banned practice sessions or warm-up games on the main square for four days before a team’s first home match. However, teams will be allowed to use one side pitch for range hitting during this time. While range hitting will still be permitted, it will have specific restrictions. Each team will get one wicket at the far edge of the main square for this purpose. This wicket can be used for range hitting, bowling run-throughs, run-ups, throwdowns, or any other practice activity.

"Please note that requests for open or partially open nets will not be entertained. Additionally, the nets must be open towards the non-pavilion side to prevent injuries. In the interest of safety, no one other than players, team support staff and net bowlers will be on the Field of Play during this time," the BCCI note added.

Practice Guidelines for IPL 2025

1. Teams will have access to 2 nets in the practice area and 1 side wicket on the main square for range hitting. At the Mumbai venue, if both teams are practicing at the same time, each team will get 2 wickets.

2. Open nets will not be permitted.

3. If one team finishes its practice early, the other team cannot use the extra wickets for their session.

4. No practice will be allowed on match days.

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