BCCI has diluted some of its SOPs on the Indian team for the 2025 IPL season, which involves the time players are to use only team buses to travel. Families will not be allowed in the dressing rooms, not even on non-match days. The rules were framed by the BCCI post India’s loss in the Test series in Australia. These barred personal managers from travelling in the team bus and limited the presence of players’ families on tours. The exact same SOPs cannot be used in a multi-team competition like the IPL, but some have made their way to the premier T20 league. One of the notes that the BCCI shared with all the franchises includes, “Players to use team bus while coming for practice. Teams may travel in two batches.”
As for families, players will not be allowed in the dressing room even on practice days.
“On practice days (during pre-tournament & tournament), only accredited staff is allowed in the dressing room and on the field of play. Player family members and friends to travel in a different vehicle and can watch team practice from the hospitality area.
“List of expanded support staff (throw-down specialists/ net bowlers) needs to be submitted for approval to BCCI. Non-match day accreditations will be issued for the same,” further read BCCI’s note.
A senior franchise official was all for the BCCI’s steps.
In our franchise, families and team owners are not allowed in the dressing rooms even on non-match days. Good enough, some players travel separately after matches rather than with the team. Starting this season, that will change,” according to PTI from the official.
Also, the imposition of fines on players will be made in case they forget to carry accreditation cards to a venue or appear at a post-match presentation dressed in loose and sleeveless clothing.
“It is mandatory for PMOA (players and match officials) accredited staff to carry their accreditation tokens on match day. The first failure to carry one’s accreditation will call an inquiry; a monetary fine would be levied upon the second failure.
“The BCCI stated that the use of loose sleeves and floppies by the post-match presenters will not be allowed. A warning will be served on the first case and a financial penalty will be imposed on the second.
The board also warned the batters not to hit the advertising LED board outside the boundary ropes.
“Though hitting nets are available for players to use in batting practice, they invariably keep hitting the LED boards. We ask the teams to abide by this.
“The players and support staff are not to sit in front of the LED boards. The sponsorship team will mark places across the FOP where substitutes carrying towels and water bottles can take their seats,” the board added.