The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued fresh guidelines to all ten franchises participating in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. As per Cricbuzz, the board has directed that no franchise will be allowed to train on a pitch that has already been used by another team during their net practice session.
Under the new guidelines, if two teams are scheduled to practise consecutively at the same venue, the second team must be provided with a completely fresh pitch. This means that a pitch used by one franchise during their nets cannot be reused by a rival team immediately afterward.
"Fresh nets should be provided to each team for their allocated practice session. In any event of simultaneous practice sessions or when one team practises after the other, the first team shall not be permitted to use the other team's nets (including for throw downs). If one team finishes practice early, the other team is not permitted to use their range-hitting wicket," the BCCI instructions noted.
Each team is permitted to have a maximum of two practice games. However, franchises must obtain prior approval from the BCCI before conducting these matches. Additionally, the practice games cannot be played on the pitch that will ultimatley be used for the official IPL match.
"In order to prepare the pitch for the season, no practice sessions or practice matches may be played on the main square in the four days leading up to the relevant franchise's first home match of the season," the BCCI said.
"During this period, if requested by the home franchise, the State Association should make an alternative practice ground available to the franchise at no cost to the franchise," the BCCI directive added.