Last Updated on April 9, 2026 by Yash Saini
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly informed all the franchises that all the bench players will not be allowed to move around the ground during a match. As per the reports, extra players are restricted from entering the field unless they are on the 16-man team sheet for the fixtures. Also, IPL Governing Council has informed that substitute players are not included in the 16 and won’t be allowed to enter the field with bats, drinks, or to pass any message.
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BCCI Official Guidelines for the Franchises
“Instructions have been passed to us only recently that all substitutes cannot move around during the match. They are also not allowed to carry drinks onto the field. Only the 16 named in the team for the match can do so. In addition to that, only five outside the playing XI can move around. The others can sit in the dugout, but cannot move between the boundary line and the LED advertising boards.” The rules are added to the existing clauses 11.5.2 and 24.1.4 in the MPC.
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What are 11.5.2 and 24.1.4 clauses?
As per the sports NDTV, Clause 11.5.2 states: “An individual player may be given a drink either on the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket, on the field, provided that no playing time is wasted. No other drinks shall be taken onto the field without the permission of the umpires. Any player taking drinks onto the field shall be dressed in proper cricket attire (subject to the wearing of bibs).”
Clause 24.1.4 reads: “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 whilst on the playing area (including the area between the boundary and the perimeter fencing).”
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Why Did The BCCI Introduce New Rules Mid-Season?
There is no official reason issued by the BCCI. Overall, BCCI has instructed strict guidelines to keep discipline and avoid excessive interruption during matches. All these are applied to ensure better control, fair play, and a more professional climate on the field in the IPL.
IPL 2026 Points Table
| TEAMS | P | W | L | NR | NRR | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RR | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +2.403 | 6 |
| PBKS | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +0.637 | 5 |
| RCB | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +2.501 | 4 |
| DC | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +0.811 | 4 |
| SRH | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +0.275 | 2 |
| GT | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -0.270 | 2 |
| LSG | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | -0.542 | 2 |
| MI | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -0.715 | 2 |
| KKR | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1.964 | 1 |
| CSK | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -2.517 | 0 |
