IPL 2025: BCCI Sends Strict Guidelines To IPL Venues For The Upcoming Season

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken decisive steps to keep the grounds in excellent shape for the impending Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025).

The BCCI has imposed severe limitations on all state cricket associations regarding the use of their cricket grounds in advance of the IPL 2025.

The Indian Cricket Board wants to ensure that all IPL venues are in excellent shape, with well-maintained pitches and outfields, for the 2025 season and has asked state organizations not to allow IPL franchises to practice on these grounds.

Furthermore, the BCCI has said that no IPL grounds can be used for private events, such as celebrity cricket matches or Legends League Cricket (LLC) games. However, the board has allowed a single exception for the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25.

No practice on stadiums before IPL 2025 as per BCCI’s strict guidelines

The board stated that the grounds can only be used if the Ranji Trophy knockout matches are scheduled at a specific location. The governing board believes that safeguarding the pitch and outfield is critical to conducting smooth and high-quality matches at the next IPL 2025.

Currently, the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 quarterfinals are being held at Kolkata, Pune, Rajkot, and Nagpur. However, Kolkata's Eden Gardens is the only IPL venue that will host the competition.

Because the BCCI has not yet announced the locations for the semifinals and finals of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25, some IPL venues may be considered for those matches.

And, if the IPL venues are chosen for the Ranji Trophy semifinals and final, the BCCI has already sent a precautionary notice to all relevant parties to ensure the grounds are in peak condition for the world's largest T20 spectacular, which begins on March 24.

BCCI’s strict guidelines for IPL 2025 hosting associations

The main IPL venues include the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA), Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), and Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA).

As reported by Cricbuzz, the Board of Control for Cricket in India wrote in an email sent to all the state associations: “We would like to clarify the following regarding the usage of grounds before the IPL.

1. The main square and the outfield may be used for the Ranji Trophy knockout matches, should any be scheduled at your venue.
2. Under no circumstances should the main square and outfield be used for any local matches, legends league, or celebrity cricket, or provided to the IPL franchises for practice sessions. This is essential to preserve the pitch and outfield in prime conditions for the IPL matches.”

State Associations also receive a notice

According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has addressed a notice to all of these state associations.

Additionally, Guwahati (for Rajasthan Royals games) and Dharamsala (for Punjab Kings matches) are slated to host some IPL 2025 fixtures, implying that the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) and Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) may have received the board's email as well.

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