 "The 18th season of the Indian Premier League will get underway on 22 March with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sportzpics")
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had recently cracked the whip on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and the rest of the Indian team following their disastrous Test assignments against New Zealand and Australia. Turns out, the restrictions placed by the BCCI aren’t just limited to international assignments, where family members will be allowed to accompany a player for a maximum of two weeks in a trip lasting 45 or more days.
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The BCCI has placed similar restrictions for players participating in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), especially on the presence of family members around Player and Match Officials Areas before and during matches.
BCCI prevents family members from accessing dressing room, field of play
The board has also made it compulsory for players to travel together in the team bus and avoid traveling on their own, a rule that the Indian team has been following since the limited-overs series against England at home.
“Players to use the team bus while coming for practice. Teams may travel in two batches,” the BCCI said in a mail to all the franchises ahead of the 18th season that gets underway on 22 March , as per news agency PTI.
The amended rules for the world’s biggest T20 league adds that family members cannot enter the dressing rooms and field of play during practice sessions.
“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.
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More Shorts“For extended support staff (throw down specialist/net bowlers) list need to be submitted for approval to BCCI. Once approved, non- match day accreditations will be issued for the same,” the BCCI further wrote in the mail.
Players can no longer wear sleeveless, loose clothing
The board has also introduced fines for players and match officials forgetting to carry their accreditation cards, as well as for players showing up for post-match presentation ceremonies in loose and sleeveless clothing.
“It is mandatory for PMOA (players and match officials) accredited staff to bring their accreditation on match day. On the first instance failure of not carrying the accreditation, warning will be issued. On second instance, monetary fine will be issued to the team.
“…In the post-match presentation, floppies and sleeveless jersey are not allowed. Failure to do so will result in warning on the first instance. On the second instance, there will be a financial penalty,” the BCCI added.
Also mentioned are new rules regarding the advertising LED boards.
“Despite providing hitting nets, player keep hitting on the LED boards. We request teams to adhere to it.
“Players and support staff are not to sit in front of the LED boards. Sponsorship team will mark places across the FOP where substitutes carrying towels and water bottles can be seated,” the BCCI added.