Just a few weeks ahead of IPL 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has declared fresh guidelines for teams' net sessions on cricket pitches. Earlier, practice sessions in the tournament were more informal before 2025, however, later, protocols were laid out to make practice sessions more professional.
The BCCI has laid out strict guidelines as the notice was released on March 12, intended to clarify the consequences for teams just ahead of the start of the week. For the unaware, the Sky exchange for the first two weeks, partially on a phase-wise rollout due to elections.
The Limitations On Net Sessions For IPL Teams
Net sessions have always been a large part of preparation for teams in any cricket game, whether it is the Indian Premier League, SA20, or even international cricket. However, in 2025, the BCCI introduced stricter reforms by implementing a cap of seven practice sessions per team before their opening match.
According to the protocol, open net sessions were banned, and teams were prohibited from practising on the main square for four days before the team’s first home game to ensure that the conditions on the pitch remain in peak state.
While it is understood that the primary intent of the notice is pitch preservation, it is also a fact that by the time the league begins, the Indian grounds have already hosted a full domestic season, leaving the surfaces tired and worn out, prone to excessive wear and tear.
BCCI Mandates No Shared Nets Ahead Of IPL 2026
As per an official CricBuzz report, the recently revealed guideline proposes a ‘conflict resolution mechanism’ alongside strict mandates that a team cannot train on the pitch that was used by the rival side during a net session. Fresh nets should be prepared if one team practices after another.
Adding to the protocol, a strict timeline has also been set, where the net session should not exceed three and a half hours, even for practice under lights.
Since main square practice has been banned by the BCCI, the apex cricket body of India has also ensured an alternative option where, if requested by a franchise, the state association should provide an alternative practice ground for the franchise at no cost.
Notably, ahead of the season's first match, teams will be allocated two nets at the practice area and one net on the main square for range hitting from March 16 onwards, with the home team having preference over the visiting side to choose the preferred session.
The Conflict Resolution System Over Net Session Preference
Also, if there is a clash over practice sessions between IPL team managers and team management, the BCCI will intervene to resolve the matter. In case of no resolution, the cricket body will allocate two-hour slots for both teams to ensure similar playing conditions with exclusive use of the ground.
"In the event that the home and away teams wish to practice at the same time, BCCI will ask the two team managers to try and resolve the double booking - either by one of the teams taking another session or by the two teams sharing the session.
In the event that the two teams cannot resolve the double booking, BCCI will determine the practice times having considered the requests of both teams with the likely outcome that two 2 hour slots are created thereby giving both teams similar playing conditions with exclusive use of the ground,” the official report read, as stated by CricBuzz.
Range Hitting Allowed Throughout The Session
It is important to note that range hitting will be allowed for teams to practice without any hindrance during their scheduled session. One wicket for each team will be prepared at the extreme edge on both sides of the main square.
Teams might use the wickets for range hitting, bowling run-throughs, run-ups, throwdowns, or any other practice. The home team will be given the preferred choice for range hitting for the first 90 minutes of practice.
Why The Committee Took Such Stern Steps For IPL Pitches?
Understandably, the BCCI's introduction of this no-shared nets rule is to ensure optimal and fair playing conditions for all teams.
With heavy domestic schedules right before the skyexch tiring out pitches, this net session limitation will prevent the pitch from deteriorating further, ensuring quality surfaces for every team.
It will also ensure competitive equality by mandating fresh nets. The rule also prevents teams from using extra wickets if a rival finishes early.