Team Practice Rule in IPL 2026: BCCI has issued a big order regarding the practice pitch and nets of IPL 2026. BCCI has included this decree in the practice guidelines issued for IPL 2026. Under this, it has said that two teams will be banned from practicing on the same pitch. BCCI says that no team can practice on a pitch which has been previously used by the rival team during its net session. According to the guidelines regarding practice sessions sent by the board to the franchises, if one team practices after the other, new nets will have to be prepared.
Practice banned on one pitch, new pitch for every team
According to BCCI’s 5-page guidelines, every team will be given a new pitch for practice. Even if there is a simultaneous practice session or when one team practices after the other, the first team will not be allowed to use the net of the other team. This will also include throw down. If one team finishes practice early, the other team will not be allowed to use their range-hitting wicket.
Why did BCCI take this step regarding practice pitch?
Now the question is, why did BCCI take the step of practicing on a new pitch for every team? The reason behind this could largely be that BCCI wants to maintain the quality of the practice pitches. Keeping equality in the facilities available to each team for practice can also be a reason behind this step of BCCI.
Practice matches will not last more than 3 and a half hours
BCCI has clearly said that if any team wants to play a practice match in floodlights, then the time limit of the match should not be more than three and a half hours. Teams will be allowed to play a maximum of two practice matches. For this also, the franchisees will have to first take permission from BCCI.
BCCI also made it clear that no team will play practice matches in the main square. Since the work of preparing the pitch for the season’s matches will be going on, neither practice sessions nor any practice matches will be played in the main square. In that case, if the home franchise feels the need to play a practice match, then it can request the state association to provide a separate practice ground.
Home franchise will arrange practice for both teams
According to BCCI guidelines, the home franchise will be responsible for providing things for the practice sessions of both the teams. This will include all the facilities related to cricket from catering to both the teams. BCCI will arrange for the needs related to practice sessions in the playoffs.