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The BCCI are reportedly set to do away with match bans on the captains for slow over-rates in the coming season and instead will be handed demerit points. A ban will only come into effect in extreme cases.
IPL 2025 will only see captains recieveing a ban for slow over-rates in extreme cases. (Image: X)
Ahead of the start of a new season in the Indian Premier League, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have reportedly revised the playing conditions for the 2025 edition which includes the penalties for over-rate offences being dialled down.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the BCCI has opted to do away with match bans on the captains for the coming season and instead will be handed demerit points. A ban will only come into effect in extreme cases.
The BCCI informed of this change during the captain’s meeting held in Mumbai on March 20 (Thursday). They will look to use a system similar to that of the ICC where the demerit points will be carried forward for a total of three years.
“For every 4 demerit points accumulated, the match referee can impose a penalty, either in the form of a 100 percent fine or additional demerit points. These demerit points could potentially lead to a match ban in the future,” a source was quoted as saying.
Captains have received match-bans due to slow over-rates in the past. Most recently, in the 2024 season, Rishabh Pant was forced to miss out on an all-important clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru while Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya will not be a part of the side’s opening game against Chennai Super Kings due to his offence in the previous season.
This comes as the latest changes being made by the BCCI. Earlier it was also reported that the BCCI opted to make a 2nd new ball available after the 11th over of the 2nd innings of an evening game to counteract the dew present on the field. In addition, they have also revoked the ban on the usage of saliva to shine the ball to give advantage an advantage amidst the batting dominance in the shortest format.
Another major change is that the DRS review will be available to contest decisions for height wides and wides outside the off-stump.
So far the BCCI have yet to release the playing conditions for the 2025 season. The tournament is set to begin on March 22 (Saturday) with the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders playing at home against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.