IPL 2026: BCCI held a special meeting with IPL captains: Ahead of the 19th season of the IPL tournament, a meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday between the IPL captains and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). During this meeting, matters such as the 'Impact Substitute' rule and the Code of Conduct will be discussed.
Meetings between the captains and the BCCI are a routine occurrence. This meeting will be addressed by former Indian cricketer Javagal Srinath and Nitin Menon, who serve as the Match Referee and the Head of the Umpires Panel, respectively.
IPL 2026: Briefing is Essential-
A BCCI official stated that no new changes have been introduced to the rules this year. However, given that some captains and coaches are new to the league, it is deemed necessary to brief them regarding the regulations. Key points of discussion will include topics such as the allowance of two bouncers per over, regulations concerning bat dimensions, rules regarding the replacement of a ball if it is lost or becomes unfit for play, decisions to be taken in the event of a 'Retired Out' dismissal, and the use of saliva. The ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball—which had been in effect in international cricket since September 2022—was lifted prior to the 2025 IPL season.
Key Decisions Taken Last Year—
In contrast, several significant decisions were made during the captains' meeting held in 2025—most notably, the legalization of the use of saliva, a measure to which all 10 captains unanimously agreed. It was also decided that the team bowling in the second innings would be granted the option to change the ball once after the 10th over. This decision was taken to mitigate the difficulties caused by dew during evening matches.
As per the regulations, the captain of the bowling team may request a ball change—regardless of whether dew is visibly apparent on the field or not—but the selection of the new ball will rest entirely with the on-field umpires. Furthermore, a decision was also taken to expand the scope of the DRS. All these regulations will remain in effect for the 2026 season of the IPL as well.
