A new season of the IPL means a new set of rules. The BCCI has partially extended its recently implemented SOPs on the Indian team to all 10 IPL franchises ahead of the IPL 2025, with a few rules that may surprise some.

Following India’s dismal outing down under, where the Australians embarrassed them in the Border-Gavaskar Series, the BCCI came up with a set of rules in an attempt to bring about a more serious and impersonal attitude to the game: barring personal managers from travelling in the team bus, besides limiting the presence of players’ families on tours.

It seems that the same rules have now found their way to the upcoming 2025 edition of the IPL as well, as the BCCI released their list of SOPs for the league and its teams to observe.

“Players are to use the team bus while coming for practice. Teams may travel in two batches," read a BCCI note that was shared with the team managers of all IPL sides recently.

In a more bizarre ruling, it was also slated that the families of players wouldn’t be allowed in the dressing room, even on training days.

“On practice days (during pre-tournament & tournament), only accredited staff is allowed in the dressing room and on the field of play. Player family members and friends can travel in a different vehicle and can watch team practice from the hospitality area.

“For extended support staff (throw down specialist/net bowlers), the list needs to be submitted for approval to BCCI. Once approved, non-match day accreditations will be issued for the same," read the BCCI note further.

Additionally, it was also announced that fines would be levied on players if they forgot to bring their accreditation card at the venue, or even if they show up at the post-match presentation wearing loose and sleeveless clothes.

“It is mandatory for PMOA (players and match officials) accredited staff to bring their accreditation on match day. On the first instance of failure to carry the accreditation, a warning will be issued. In the second instance, a monetary fine will be issued to the team.

“…In the post-match presentation, floppies and sleeveless jerseys are not allowed. Failure to do so will result in a warning on the first instance. On the second instance, there will be a financial penalty," the BCCI said.

In yet another weirdly specific ask, the BCCI also warned the batters not to hit the advertising LED board outside the boundary ropes.

“Despite providing hitting nets, players keep hitting on the LED boards. We request teams to adhere to it.

“Players and support staff are not to sit in front of the LED boards. The sponsorship team will mark places across the FOP where substitutes carrying towels and water bottles can be seated," the statement read.
The 2025 edition of IPL will be played from March 22 to May 25.