IPL meet: Captains exempt from match bans for slow over-rates

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revised the playing conditions for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), with the most notable change concerning over-rate offences and the captain having to pay the price for that.

The BCCI has decided that captains will no longer face match bans. Instead, they will be penalised with demerit points, with a ban being enforced only in extreme cases.

The Level 1 offence will be charged 25 to 75 percent match fees with demerit points which will be calculated for next three years. A Level 2 offence, if exactly deemed serious, will result in four demerit points.

For every 4 demerit points accumulated, the match referee can impose a penalty, either in the form of a 100 percent fine or additional demerit points. These demerit points could potentially lead to a match ban in the future.

The Impact Player Rule, which has had its fair share of critics, will be reviewed after the 2027 edition, which means the rule will stay for the current IPL cycle.

The BCCI has also amended that DRS clause in the playing conditions. The referral will be applicable for the height wides and wides outside the off-stump.