New Delhi: The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup will begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. A total of 54 matches will be played in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will conclude on March 8. The tournament was expanded to 20 teams in 2024, and the number will remain the same in the 2026 edition.
However, there was a late change to the team list after the ICC decided to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament following a long impasse over their participation. Bangladesh were kicked out of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to their refusal to travel to India due to security concerns.
The 20 participating sides have been divided into four groups, five teams each. The top two teams from every group will advance to the Super 8 stage, where they will be divided into two groups of four teams each. The two best Super 8 sides will advance to the semifinals. Here are the new rules implemented from the 2026 T20 World Cup.
New rules implemented from T20 World Cup 2026
Stop clock rule: The 60-second stop clock will be in effect between the overs. According to this rule, the fielding team must be ready to bowl the next over within one minute after the completion of the previous over.
5-run penalty: If the stop clock rule is violated by the fielding side. They will be given two warnings; after that, a five-run penalty is imposed for each further violation.
Boundary fielding rule: Players must jump from inside the field to stop the ball from going to the boundary. If they jump from outside to push the ball back, it will be given as a boundary.
Short-run penalty: If a batter intentionally makes a short, a five-run penalty will be added on the batting side, and it will be decided by the on-field umpire.
Batting rule: If a batter intentionally tries to give a strike by taking a short run, it will be considered invalid, and the fielding captain will decide which batter will be on strike for the next delivery.
Concussion replacements: Teams now have to submit a list of five players for the concussion substitute. The list will include a pacer, a spin bowler, a batter, a wicketkeeper and an all-rounder. Concussion replacements will be selected from these players as per their respective roles.
DRS change: If an umpire’s call is received during a DRS review, it will no longer be lost. A team will have two reviews per innings.
Ball settlement rule: The ball no longer needs to be in the bowler’s or the wicketkeeper’s hand for it to be considered dead. It can be considered dead in the hands of any fielder or stationary on the ground.
Wicketkeeping rule change: The wicketkeepers will no longer be penalised for having their gloves in front of the stumps when the bowler runs up. But their hands must be behind the stumps after the ball is bowled.
Stump out – Runout rule: The MCC has also clarified that the fielder or wicketkeeper must have full control of the ball during a run-out or stumping.