The Board of Control for Cricket in India has reportedly issued a fresh set of guidelines to IPL franchises ahead of the 2026 season, outlining clear protocols for players and team staff on matchdays and training sessions. These instructions are intended to maintain discipline, improve broadcast presentation, and ensure smoother operations throughout the tournament.

One of the key directives requires players to travel together in the team bus for practice sessions, reinforcing a sense of unity and structure. Families, however, will need to use separate transport arrangements and can only access designated hospitality areas during training. The board has also tightened its stance on player appearance during official duties.

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Cricketers have been instructed to avoid wearing sleeveless jerseys or floppy hats during post-match presentations. Any violation will initially result in a warning, followed by financial penalties for repeat offences. Additionally, players have been encouraged to wear the iconic orange and purple caps when applicable, at least during the initial overs, ensuring proper visibility for broadcast coverage.

🚨 THE BCCI GUIDELINES FOR IPL TEAMS. 🚨

❌ match day practices are not allowed.

❌ Floppies and sleeveless jerseys won’t be allowed in the Post match presentation.

⚠️ A warning will be served on the 1st breach of wearing Floppies and sleeveless.

💰 A financial penalty on… pic.twitter.com/1VDHhPBsCy

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 24, 2026

Training protocols have also been clearly defined. Each team will be allotted two practice nets along with a side wicket for range hitting. At venues like Wankhede Stadium, both teams will receive equal practice space if training simultaneously. However, unused nets cannot be shared once allocated. The BCCI has also banned open nets and disallowed practice sessions or fitness tests on matchdays to preserve pitch conditions.

Franchises must also inform officials at least 24 hours in advance in case of jersey number changes, reflecting a push towards better coordination.

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With the Indian Premier League 2026 season set to begin soon, these structured guidelines underline the board’s intent to deliver a more professional and streamlined tournament experience, starting with the opening clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.