The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has added various changes to practice regulations for IPL 2025, creating a new preparation landscape for all ten franchises
These restrictions aim to preserve pitch quality while standardising team access to training facilities ahead of the tournament beginning March 22, with Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. The new rules represent a major shift in how teams will approach their pre-season and in-tournament preparation.
Also, according to most IPL betting sites, the changes in the rule set are going to impact the way people bet on the teams during the season. We decided to try and make sense of the situation and see how it will impact the teams in the league.
New Practice Guidelines Explained
Under the updated regulations, IPL teams face strict limitations on their pre-tournament training. Each franchise is permitted a maximum of seven practice sessions before their first match, with each session capped at three hours under floodlights. Of these seven sessions, only two can be utilized for practice matches or open nets. Practice matches require prior written BCCI approval and must be played on side wickets instead on the main square.
During the tournament itself, the restrictions become even more pronounced. No practice will be permitted on match days, eliminating the traditional pre-game sessions teams have historically relied upon. Open nets sessions are completely prohibited once the season begins, and teams are limited to two nets in the practice area plus one side wicket for range hitting during the tournament phase.
The BCCI has established clear protocols for scheduling conflicts between home and away teams. When both teams request simultaneous practice access, the BCCI will create two separate two-hour slots to ensure equitable facility access with comparable playing conditions. Additionally, no practice is allowed on the main square during the four days before a team’s first home fixture.
Performance Implications for Teams
These practice limitations will fundamentally alter team preparation strategies. With drastically reduced on-field time, coaching staff must maximise efficiency during every available minute of sanctioned practice. Teams with new player combinations or those integrating multiple overseas signings may find it particularly challenging to build the necessary cohesion under these constraints.
Franchises will likely compensate by increasing tactical meetings, video analysis sessions, and mental preparation work. The two permitted practice matches become extraordinarily valuable opportunities for teams to test combinations and strategies in game situations. Teams might prioritize specific skill development during limited practice windows rather than general training sessions that were common in previous seasons.
Well-established teams with retained core players might gain an early advantage, as they require less time to develop chemistry compared to rebuilt squads. This could potentially create a pattern where familiar combinations start the tournament stronger before other teams find their rhythm as the season progresses.
Player Fitness and Adaptation Challenges
The limited practice schedule creates new challenges for player conditioning. Without regular team sessions, players must take greater personal responsibility for maintaining peak physical condition. Some may adopt approaches similar to MS Dhoni’s training method, which involves intensive training for 15-20 days followed by equal rest periods.
Bowling units face particular difficulties under these restrictions. Fast bowlers who rely on rhythm and regular practice to maintain form may struggle with the reduced bowling opportunities. Teams might implement targeted bowling sessions during their limited practice time to ensure key bowlers maintain their mechanics and consistency.
The constraints will test players’ adaptability and self-discipline. Those who can maintain focus and skill levels with minimal supervised practice may gain competitive advantages. Teams will likely increase their emphasis on individualized training plans and recovery protocols to keep players in optimal condition throughout the season.
Broader Tournament Impact
These practice restrictions form part of BCCI’s comprehensive approach to maintaining high-quality playing surfaces throughout the tournament. By limiting practice on main squares, the board hopes to preserve pitches that have already endured heavy usage during the domestic season.
Additional regulations affecting team environments have also been implemented. Only accredited staff members can access dressing rooms on practice and match days, with family members prohibited from these areas. Players must use team transportation rather than private vehicles for matches and practice sessions.
As IPL 2025 approaches, these practice restrictions will fundamentally reshape how teams prepare, potentially creating more even competition while testing each franchise’s adaptability and resource management capabilities.