The BCCI has implemented new limitations on practice sessions for IPL teams ahead of the upcoming season, commencing March 22 at Eden Gardens. Teams are allowed up to seven practice sessions and two warm-up matches, with practice matches not exceeding three and a half hours and requiring BCCI approval. To protect the pitches, no sessions or matches are permitted on the main square four days before a team’s first home match, though side wickets will be available. In cases of scheduling conflicts between teams, the BCCI will assist in resolving double bookings to ensure equitable practice conditions.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented a limit on practice sessions for Indian Premier League (IPL) teams in preparation for the upcoming season. As per the new guidelines, teams are allowed a maximum of seven practice sessions, with only two warm-up matches permitted. These rules were communicated to the IPL franchises through a BCCI notice, which also requested that host venues accommodate local games, legends leagues, or celebrity tournaments.
A report from Cricbuzz indicates that these decisions were made “in view of the venues taking load during domestic matches, being played close to the start of the IPL season.” The new season is set to commence on March 22 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where Kolkata Knight Riders will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“Ahead of the first match of the season and as outlined in the Stadium Agreement, teams are permitted up to seven (7) practice sessions, each lasting up to three (3) hours under floodlights, with two (2) of these being practice matches or open nets as determined by the team. The practice matches will take place on one of the side wickets of the main square. Should a team conduct a practice match under lights, the match duration must not exceed three and a half hours. According to the Operational Rules, practice matches must receive prior written approval from the BCCI,” stated the BCCI note.
“In order to prepare the pitch for the season, no practice sessions or matches may be conducted on the main square during the four (4) days leading up to the respective franchisee’s first home match of the season. However, one side wicket will be made available to each team for range hitting during this period, should the home franchise request it from the State Association.”
The BCCI notice also provided guidance on handling scenarios where both teams wish to practice simultaneously ahead of their IPL match.
“If both home and away teams request to practice concurrently, BCCI will urge the two Team Managers to resolve the scheduling conflict — either by having one team choose an alternative session or by having both teams share the session. If no resolution can be reached, BCCI will establish practice times after considering both teams’ requests, likely resulting in two 2-hour slots being allocated, ensuring that both teams have similar playing conditions with exclusive access to the ground (e.g. 18.00 – 20.00 & 20.00 – 22.00).”
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