Srinagar March 20 (KNS): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced key changes to the playing conditions for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The most significant update concerns over-rate offences, with captains no longer facing immediate match bans.

Instead, the BCCI has implemented a demerit points system, similar to the ICC's rules. Captains will now be penalised with demerit points and fines for slow over-rates. These points will remain on record for three years. A Level 1 offence will result in a 25% to 75% match fee fine, along with demerit points. For Level 2 offences, captains will receive four demerit points. Accumulating four or more points may lead to further penalties, including a full match fee fine or additional points. However, immediate bans for over-rate violations are ruled out, unless points accumulate over time.

This change follows past instances where captains like Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya faced match bans due to slow over-rates.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelPandya will miss Mumbai Indians' opening game of IPL 2025 for an offence in the previous season.

Additionally, the BCCI confirmed that the Impact Player rule will continue until at least 2027. Despite criticism, the rule—allowing teams to substitute one player during a match—will stay for the current IPL cycle.

Another amendment includes expanding the scope of the Decision Review System (DRS). Players can now challenge umpire decisions on height-related wides and balls wide of the off-stump. Previously, DRS was limited to no balls and wides.

The BCCI has also revoked the ban on saliva use for shining the ball. In another step to address the dew factor, teams will now have a second new ball available for the second innings.

These changes were shared during the captains and managers' meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on March 20.(KNS)