BCCI’s Rulebook: The Power Play Behind Indian Cricket

Akshita Patel

BCCI rules and regulations [Source: Getty]BCCI rules and regulations [Source: Getty]

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has established a comprehensive set of rules and regulations to govern Indian cricket, ensuring fair play, discipline, and professionalism. 

These regulations cover player contracts, domestic and international participation, fitness standards, code of conduct, anti-corruption measures, and selection policies. 

The BCCI also enforces strict guidelines on player workload management, participation in overseas leagues, and endorsement deals to maintain the integrity of Indian cricket. 

BCCI's New Rules

Mandatory Participation in Domestic Matches

Players must play domestic matches to stay eligible for national team selection or central contracts. Exceptions will only be allowed in extraordinary cases with approval from the Selection Committee.

Traveling Together

Players must travel with the team for matches and practice sessions. Travelling separately with family is discouraged to ensure team bonding and discipline. Special cases require pre-approval from the Head Coach and Selection Committee.

Limit on Baggage

There’s now a strict baggage limit to avoid logistical issues and additional costs:

Away long-duration tours (more than 30 days):

  • Indian Players: 5 pieces (3 suitcases + 2 kit bags) OR up to 150 kg.
  • Support staff: 3 pieces (2 big + 1 small suitcase) OR up to 80 kg.

Away short-duration tours (less than 30 days):

  • Indian Players: 4 pieces (2 suitcases + 2 kit bags) OR up to 120 kg.
  • Support staff: 2 pieces (2 suitcases) OR up to 60 kg.

Home series:

  • Indian Players: 4 pieces (2 suitcases + 2 kit bags) OR up to 120 kg.
  • Support staff: 2 pieces (2 suitcases) OR up to 60 kg.

Restrictions on Personal Staff

Players can no longer bring personal staff like chefs, security guards, or assistants on tours unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. 

Coordination for Sending Gear

Players must coordinate with management for sending equipment to Bengaluru’s Centre of Excellence. Any extra costs for separate arrangements will be the player’s responsibility.

Full Attendance at Practice Sessions

All players must attend practice sessions completely and travel together as a team. 

No Personal Shoots During Tours

Players cannot participate in personal endorsements or photo shoots during a tour.

Family Travel Policy

While family visits are allowed during long overseas tours, they come with strict guidelines:

  • Eligibility: Families can join if the player is away for over 45 days.
  • Duration: One visit per series, lasting up to two weeks.
  • Costs: Shared accommodation is covered by the BCCI; other expenses must be paid by the player.

Participation in BCCI Events

Players must attend official BCCI promotional events and shoots. 

Completing Tours

Players must stay with the team until the end of the series, even if matches finish early. 


BCCI's Rules and Regulations 

Some other BCCI rules include:

  • Indian players are not allowed to participate in overseas T20 leagues while being active in Indian cricket. Exceptions can be made for retired players.
  • Players must pass basic fitness tests, like the Yo-Yo Test to prove appropriate fitness standards.
  • Players have to submit samples for random doping tests. Failure to do so will result in immediate action.
  • Any form of corruption, betting, or match-fixing leads to strict bans and penalties.
  • Players must uphold the spirit of the game and adhere to the ICC Code of Conduct.
  • On-field misbehaviour, including dissent against umpiring decisions, is strictly penalised.
  • Age-group cricketers must provide valid birth certificates to prevent age fraud.
  • Regular training and rehab programs must be followed as prescribed by team management.
  • All injuries must be reported to the BCCI medical team immediately.
  • Players are categorised under central contracts (A+, A, B, C) with graded salaries.
  • Match fees for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is are fixed by the BCCI and paid in addition to the contract.
  • Players must seek BCCI approval before attending entertainment shows or events.

BCCI's IPL Rules

  • A match fee has been introduced for the first time in the history of IPL. Each Playing member (Including the Impact Player) will get a match fee of INR 7.5 Lakhs per match. This will be in addition to his contracted amount.
  • Any Overseas Player will have to register for the Big Auction. In case the overseas player doesn't register, then he will be ineligible to register in the following year’s player auction.
  • Any player who registers in the player auction and after getting picked at the auction, makes himself unavailable before the start of the season, will get banned from participating in the tournament and player auction for 2 Seasons.
  • A capped Indian player will become uncapped if the player has in the last five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant Season is held, not played in the starting XI in International Cricket (Test match, ODI, Twenty20 International) or does not have a Central Contract with BCCI. This will be applicable to Indian Players only.
  • The Impact Player Regulation will continue for the 2025 to 2027 cycle.
  • Each team can have a maximum of 25 players, with a minimum of 18 players.
  • A team can have up to 8 overseas players in the squad.
  • Only 4 overseas players are allowed in the playing XI per match.
  • Teams must follow the salary cap set by BCCI for squad building.
  • Players can be traded during the official trading window before the season.
  • BCCI imposes a salary cap on teams to ensure fair spending.
  • Slow over-rate penalties apply, with an extra fielder being asked to be in the circle if the overs are not completed in the stipulated time frame.
  • BCCI conducts regular anti-doping tests, and any violations lead to suspensions.
  • Injured players can be replaced mid-season with BCCI’s approval.
  • BCCI does not allow players with an IPL contract to play in overseas T20 leagues without permission.

BCCI's Annual Contract Rules

  • A player must compete in a minimum of 3 Test matches, 8 ODIs or 10 T20Is to be eligible for a contract. 
  • Players meeting the above criteria are automatically included in Grade C on a pro-rata basis. 

BCCI contracts are separated as follows:

  • Grade A+: INR 7 crore per year.
  • Grade A: INR 5 crore per year.
  • Grade B: INR 3 crore per year.
  • Grade C: INR 1 crore per year.

BCCI's election rules

  • A candidate can contest only for one post.
  • A candidate must fill up the prescribed nomination form duly signed by him/her and his/her signature attested by the notary/oath commissioner. 
  • On the appointed date, the Electoral Officer shall scrutinize all nomination papers in the presence of the candidates or their authorized representatives announce his/her decision in respect of each nomination and then proceed to prepare and announce a list of validly nominated candidates for each of the posts. 
  • A validly nominated candidate will be allowed to withdraw from the contest till the time allowed for such withdrawal by filing his/her withdrawal application in the prescribed form in person before the Electoral Officer.
  • The Electoral Officer shall cause arrangements to be made for voting by the Representatives of eligible members on the Election Day for all the posts for which more than one nomination has been received and will call the Representatives of members eligible to vote to exercise their voting right in respect of each of the contested posts.
  • The Electoral Officer will prescribe the procedure for the Representatives to cast their vote including but not limited to the ballot, its design, its authentication, the maintenance of secrecy of the ballot, the time limit for exercising the voting right, the time period for preservation of counted ballots and other election materials, etc. 
  • At the closure of the time prescribed for the poll, the Electoral Officer shall cause the counting of the ballot papers and announce the results in respect of each of the contested posts. 
  • After the announcement of the results, the Electoral Officer shall announce the completion of the poll process.
  • A period has been designated as the ‘Campaign Period’ to enable prospective candidates to seek the support of members of BCCI in their favour on the voting day. The Campaign period may be used for candidates to campaign. However, during the Campaign Period, candidates will not use unfair means including bribery, or appeal to or use of religious symbols, nor distribute gifts of various kinds such as liquor, to induce members for support. They will strictly adhere to the prescribed campaign practices annexed to these instructions.
  • Pamphlets and posters if circulated should not appeal to religious, caste, or communal sentiments to entice for votes. If pamphlets/ posters are put up, they should be not violative of the local law in force in the Bombay Municipal Area.
  • Proxy voting shall not be allowed.

BCCI's rules for guest players

  • The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allows a maximum of 3 guest players in Senior Men and Women squads.
  • Only three guest players can be included in a team's playing eleven.
  • No Guest Players will be allowed for age group teams.
  • Guest players must be from outside the association's jurisdiction.
  • To transfer from one association to another, a player must email the BCCI's Hon. Secretary.
  • The player must include a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their previous association and an acceptance letter from the new association.
  • The guest players will only be paid a match fee and no extra sum from the state or board.

BCCI's anti-doping rules

  • Players who will be required to provide Samples for Testing will be selected predominantly by way of target selection or, less frequently, through random selection. 
  • Failing to submit or dodging sample collection per notification will lead to a violation.
  • Presence or traces of banned substances in the sample will lead to a violation.
  • Following are the sanctions which can be imposed upon the player if found guilty:
  • If the player is found to be involved in doping during any of the ICC events then all the results due to that individual player shall be cancelled and the medals and any kind of other awards shall be seized. The Rankings and points achieved would stand cancelled.
  • The imposition of a period of Ineligibility: The period of ineligibility shall be 2 years and during this period the player would be banned from participating in any ICC events. However, the punishment can be quashed midway after observing the response of the guilty during the first year of the ban.

FAQs about BCCI Rules and Regulations

Q.1 What are the rules of Indian cricket?

Answer: BCCI has a rule book and constitution in place to regulate Indian cricketers. The constitution contains several guidelines for players, match officials, and other board members.

Q.2 What is rule number 7 in the BCCI?

Answer: The rule number 7 issued by the IPL governing body states that any player who hasn’t played an international game in the past 5 years prior to the auction, can be retained in the uncapped category.

Q.3 What is the new policy of BCCI?

Answer: BCCI has reportedly issued 10 new guidelines for players on overseas tours. The rules include players not being allowed to travel separately, not being allowed to carry personal chefs and also not allowed to carry extra luggage. Moreover, the BCCI has put a cap on families travelling with the team during the tour.

Q.4 Does BCCI control IPL?

Answer: Yes, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) controls the Indian Premier League (IPL). While the IPL operates as a separate entity with its own governing council, it functions under the jurisdiction of BCCI.

Q.5 Is BCCI run by government?

Answer: No, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not run by the government. It is an autonomous body that operates independently and is registered as a private entity under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.