New Delhi: BCCI has introduced a new rule. IPL 2026 to limit the movement of substitutes and bench players during matches, according to a report by Cricbuzz. Under this update, only 16 players in the match squad are allowed to enter the field, while others must stay in the dugout. The move is being seen as an attempt to tighten discipline in the field, although no official reason has been given.
New rules for alternatives
The report understands that teams have been told that players who are not part of the playing 16 cannot step onto the field, even for routine tasks such as carrying drinks or messages. Only a maximum of five players, wearing bibs, are allowed near the boundary at any one time.“Instructions have recently been given to us that all substitutes cannot move around during the match. They are also not allowed to carry drinks into the arena. Only 16 in the squad for the match can do so. Also, only five can rotate out of the playing eleven. Others can sit in the dugout, but cannot go between the boundary line and the LED advertising board,” team sources said.
What does it mean?
Earlier, senior squads often had several players on the field during matches. Now, the BCCI has tightened the existing rules to reduce unnecessary movement and maintain better control. The change applies to all IPL teams this season, where squads can have 25 players but only 16 are officially part of a match.Although the exact reason is still unclear, the decision is being seen as a strict enforcement of playing conditions to streamline match operations and avoid overcrowding around the ground.
