BCCI announces strict rules for Indian Premier League teams, makes BIG changes Amid IPL 2026

New Delhi: The 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is currently underway. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented a new rule for the IPL, which aims to curb arbitrary behavior by the teams. Under this new regulation, not every player sitting on the bench is permitted to enter the field of play during an IPL match. Extra players are also barred from entering the field unless their names are included by the team management in the list of 16 players specified on the official team sheet.

While a specific rationale for implementing this rule has not been explicitly stated, the BCCI and the IPL management recently issued directives to team managers, clarifying that substitute players—who are not part of the designated 16-man squad—are not allowed to enter the field to carry drinks, deliver bats, or convey messages.

What is Permitted Number of Players at the Boundary?

According to a report by *Cricbuzz*, no more than five players wearing bibs are permitted to move around the boundary rope area. These five players may be drawn either from the nominated 16-man squad or from the rest of the team roster; however, at no point may the number exceed five. Typically, these players are observed carrying drinks onto the field or retrieving balls hit to the boundary. Team sources stated, "We recently received instructions clarifying that not all substitutes are permitted to move around freely during a match. They are also prohibited from carrying drinks onto the field of play. Only the 16 players selected for the match squad are authorized to do so. Furthermore, only five individuals from outside the playing XI are permitted to move around the perimeter. The remaining players may sit in the dugout but are not permitted to venture into the area between the boundary line and the LED advertising boards."

What is the Maximum Permitted Size of a Squad?

It is worth noting that, under IPL regulations, a team's squad may comprise a maximum of 25 players, 16 of whom are named on the official team sheet for any given match. Clause 11.5.2 of the Playing Conditions states: "Drinks may be taken onto the field of play for a player either at the boundary edge or when a wicket falls, provided that no playing time is wasted. No other drinks shall be taken onto the field of play without the permission of the umpire. Any player taking drinks onto the field of play must be wearing proper cricket attire (subject to the wearing of a bib)." Clause 24.1.4 states: "Squad members of the fielding or batting team who are not playing in the match, and who are not acting as substitute fielders, shall be required to wear a team training bib while within the playing area (including the area between the boundary and the perimeter fencing)."