IPL 2025- Hardik Pandya Chapter Forces BCCI To Revoke Captaincy Ban

In a huge relief for the ten captains in the IPL 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ha decided to scrap the rule for banning the captains for maintaining a slow over-rate during the IPL captains’ meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, March 20.

Some IPL captains have received sanctions in the past for slow over-rates. Hardik Pandya will miss the Mumbai Indians' initial IPL 2025 match due to a slow over-rate offense from the previous season. Last season, Rishabh Pant had to skip a match between the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

New BCCI slow over-rate rules won’t ban captains anymore in IPL

According to Cricbuzz, IPL captains will no longer be banned for sluggish over-rates. As part of its revamped penalty structure, the BCCI implemented a demerit points system. These points are valid for three years, and only in extreme circumstances would a captain be suspended.

"The captain will be penalized with demerit points but will not face a match ban for the slow over-rate," says an internal communique seen by Cricbuzz.

Fans want to know if Hardik Pandya will still be unavailable for the Mumbai Indians' match against the Chennai Super Kings on Sunday, March 23. He was suspended at the end of the previous season, and the rule change will not affect that ban. Hardik will remain banned and will miss the match against CSK.

New punishments decided for players and captains for slow over rates in IPL 2025

A Level 1 offense in IPL 2025 will result in a fine ranging from 25 to 75 percent of their match fees, while a Level 2 offense, if substantial, will result in four demerit points. These demerit points may result in a match ban, however slow overrate offenses will not result in an automatic suspension.

"For every 4 demerit points accumulated, the match referee can impose a penalty, either in the form of a 100 percent fine or additional demerit points. These demerit points could potentially lead to a match ban in the future. But for slow overrate it won't be a match ban (immediately)," a source in the know said.

Impact player rule to stay till IPL 2027

The BCCI has confirmed that the controversial Impact Player Rule will remain in place for the current cycle. However, the board intends to reconsider the restriction following the 2027 season.

"The IPL will continue to implement the Impact Player rule, allowing teams to substitute one player during a match, at least until 2027," a source told Cricbuzz.

The BCCI also changed the DRS clause in the IPL's playing conditions. Height-based wides and wides outside the off-stump can be compared. According to the 2024 rules, players could only appeal on-field umpire rulings regarding wides and no-balls, while the circumstances for 2025 have yet to be revealed.

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