BCCI scraps slow over-rate bans for IPL captains; Hardik Pandya the last victim

In a recent development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a major change to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playing conditions. The board decided to lift the ban on captains for maintaining a slow over-rate during a captains’ meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, March 20.

Some IPL captains have faced suspensions in the past due to slow over-rates. Hardik Pandya is set to miss Mumbai Indians’ opening match of IPL 2025 for a slow over-rate offence from the previous season. Rishabh Pant had to miss the match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru last season.

BCCI Introduces New Over-Rate Rules, Captains to Avoid Bans

According to a Cricbuzz report, IPL captains will no longer face match bans for slow over-rates. The BCCI has introduced a demerit points system as a revised penalty structure. These points will remain valid for three years, and only in extreme cases will a captain be suspended.

"The captain will be penalised with demerit points but will not face a match ban for the slow over-rate," says an internal communique seen by Cricbuzz.

Fans are eager to know if Hardik Pandya will still be unavailable for the Mumbai Indians' match against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, March 23. He was handed a suspension at the end of the previous season, and the rule change won't impact the ban. Hardik will remain banned and miss the CSK clash.

Captains to Receive Demerit Points; Bans Only in Severe Cases

Players will be fined 25 to 75 percent of their match fees for a Level 1 offence, while a Level 2 offence, if deemed serious, will result in four demerit points. These demerit points could lead to a match ban but slow over-rate violations will not result in an immediate suspension.

"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. But for slow overrate it won't be a match ban (immediately)," a source in the know said.

Controversial Impact Player Rule to Stay in IPL Until 2027 Season

The Impact Player Rule, which has faced criticism, will stay for the current cycle, as confirmed by the BCCI. However, the board plans to reassess the rule after the 2027 season.

"The IPL will continue to implement the Impact Player rule, allowing teams to substitute one player during a match, at least until 2027," a source told Cricbuzz.

The BCCI also modified the DRS clause in the IPL playing conditions. Height-based wides and wides outside the off-stump can be reviewed. Players could only review on-field umpire decisions regarding wides and no-balls, as per the 2024 rules, while the 2025 conditions are yet to be released.

The Indian Premier League 2025 season will begin on Saturday, March 22, at Eden Gardens, with an exciting opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Also read: Revealed: How BCCI's ₹58 Crores will be distributed among Indian players, coaches, and support staff from Champions Trophy 2025?