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Bengaluru, 21 July. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made several significant changes to the ‘playing conditions’ ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season, which also includes suspending bowlers who deliberately bowl no-balls for entire matches.

If a bowler deliberately bowls a ‘front-foot no-ball’ or bowls a ball in which his foot does not touch the designated spot, he will be suspended from bowling not only for that innings but for the remainder of the match. According to the rules applicable till now, in such cases the bowler was prevented from bowling only from the relevant innings.

BCCI shares amendments suggested by MCC with all state associations

BCCI has recently shared these amendments suggested by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) with all the state cricket associations. According to the BCCI circular, under the change in Rule 41.8 of ‘Playing Conditions’, the decision to suspend a bowler from the entire match will be taken by the on-field umpire.

The over will be completed even if a wicket falls in the last over of the day.

Another important amendment relates to the end of the day’s play. According to the new rule, if a wicket falls during the last over of the day, that over will still be completed. Till now, stumps (end of play for the day) were declared at the same time when the wicket fell in the middle of the last over. MCC believed that due to Rule 12.5.2, the new batsman did not get the opportunity to come to the crease at the end of the day. For this reason it has been amended.

No team will be able to declare an innings in the last innings of the match.

Apart from this, now no team will be able to take the option of declaring an innings or giving up the innings (forfeit) in the last innings of a match. This change to Rule 15.2 was made because the governing bodies believed that this provision was being used to achieve artificial results, which was not in keeping with the spirit of the game.

In one-day domestic matches, the head coach of the team will now be allowed to enter the field during the ‘drinks break’. ICC has proposed to implement a similar rule in international cricket also.

Wicketkeepers also get some relief under the new rules

Wicketkeepers have also got some relief under the new rules. Now they only have to place their gloves behind the stumps at the moment the ball is bowled. Earlier, as soon as the bowler started his run-up, the wicketkeeper had to keep his gloves behind the stumps the entire time. Due to this rule, many times in the past the ball was declared a no-ball or the stumping became invalid.

Awareness program also organized for match officials

State cricket associations have started informing umpires and match referees about the new rules ahead of the domestic season starting with the Duleep Trophy next month. According to a board official, ‘Awareness programs will also be organized for match officials and necessary information to the rules will be provided. There is still about a month left for the domestic season to start. In such a situation, adequate preparations will be made to implement these changes effectively.