Mumbai: With the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League set to begin on March 28, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has issued fresh practice guidelines for all 10 franchises ahead of the tournament.
The opening match will see defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
According to reports, the BCCI has strictly instructed that teams will not be allowed to practice on nets or pitches used by rival teams, even during overlapping practice sessions. Each franchise must be provided fresh nets for its allocated practice time.
The guidelines state that if two teams have practice sessions at the same venue, the first team will not be permitted to use the other team’s nets, including for throw-downs. Additionally, if a team finishes its session early, the other team will not be allowed to use its range-hitting wicket.
The BCCI has also barred franchises from practicing on the main pitch of the stadium four days before their first home match in the tournament. This measure aims to ensure proper preparation and maintenance of the match wicket.
During this period, state cricket associations have been directed to provide alternative practice grounds for the home franchise without any additional cost.
The new instructions are part of BCCI’s efforts to maintain pitch quality and ensure fair practice conditions for all teams ahead of the highly anticipated IPL 2026 season. (Agencies)
