The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has regulated the practice sessions for the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams for the upcoming season with no more than seven sessions. There were no such restrictions in the previous editions. The BCCI has also said there can only be two warm-up games or centre wicket practice sessions.
In a note to the franchises recently, the BCCI has clearly outlined the new rules and they are in line with a recent directive to the IPL centres to not let the grounds for use of any local games, legends leagues or celebrity tournaments. The BCCI wants the ground and the pitch in prime condition for the league. Cricbuzz reported about it on February 8.
"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," the BCCI note, seen by Cricbuzz, says.
"In order to prepare the pitch for the season, no practice sessions or practice matches may be played on the main square in the four (4) days leading up to the relevant franchisee's first home match of the season. However, 1 side wicket per team will be provided for range hitting on these days. During this period, if requested by the home franchisee, the State Association." The revised regulations have been put in place in view of the venues taking load during domestic matches, being played close to the start of the IPL season.
The IPL commences at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22 with a match between reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
