In a major development ahead of the new season, the IPL 2025 over-rate rule change has officially been confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). As per the latest updates, captains will no longer face suspension for repeated slow over-rate offences. Instead, a demerit point system will be introduced to penalize repeat offenders while still allowing teams to retain leadership stability throughout the tournament.
This significant IPL 2025 over-rate rule change was finalized during a captains’ meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on March 20. It marks a notable shift from the previous regulation, which imposed a one-match ban on captains after three over-rate violations.
Why the IPL 2025 Over-Rate Rule Change Matters
Under the older rule, captains like Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant were forced to miss crucial matches. Pandya will sit out Mumbai Indians’ season opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23 due to a suspension incurred in IPL 2024. However, had the IPL 2025 over-rate rule change been implemented earlier, Pandya would have been available for selection.
Similarly, Delhi Capitals’ Rishabh Pant missed a match last season due to the same rule. Now with Pant joining Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as the most expensive IPL player ever at ₹27 crore, the new regulation ensures star players remain in action, increasing the tournament’s competitive edge.
Details of the New Over-Rate Regulation
With the IPL 2025 over-rate rule change, a tiered punishment system has been put in place:
- Level 1 Offence: Deduction of 25% to 75% of match fees and demerit points. These points will be tracked over a rolling period of three years.
- Level 2 Offence: Considered more serious, resulting in four demerit points.
- Accumulation of four demerit points may lead to additional penalties, including 100% fine or further demerits.
- However, no immediate match bans will be issued for over-rate violations under the revised rule.
“These demerit points could convert into a match ban in the future, but for slow over-rate, there won’t be a direct match ban,” a BCCI official confirmed to PTI.
The IPL 2025 over-rate rule change is designed to be more balanced—penalizing teams financially and statistically, but without affecting the playing XI directly unless the offences continue to pile up.
Additional Rule Revisions: Saliva Ban Lifted
In addition to the IPL 2025 over-rate rule change, the BCCI has also scrapped the pandemic-era saliva ban. The rule, introduced in 2020 during COVID-19, restricted bowlers from applying saliva to shine the ball.
Following feedback from the captains’ meeting, the BCCI has decided to lift the restriction, allowing players to return to traditional ball maintenance methods.
IPL 2025 Set to Open with KKR vs RCB Clash
The tournament kicks off with a high-stakes encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on March 22. Mumbai Indians, without suspended captain Hardik Pandya, will begin their campaign against CSK in Chennai on March 23, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the side.
With the IPL 2025 over-rate rule change in place, captains like Suryakumar and Pant can now focus more on team performance without the looming threat of suspension for slow over-rates.
IPL 2025 Over-Rate Rule Change Brings Fairness and Flexibility
The introduction of the IPL 2025 over-rate rule change reflects BCCI’s intent to modernize disciplinary protocols while ensuring fairness and consistency. By moving away from immediate match suspensions and opting for a long-term demerit system, the board offers teams more flexibility, ensures fans get to see their favorite stars in action, and promotes better game pacing.
📌 Key Highlights:
- No captain ban for over-rate offences under IPL 2025 rules.
- Demerit points introduced as part of a long-term disciplinary system.
- Saliva ban lifted after captain feedback.
- Rule change prevents players like Pandya and Pant from being unfairly sidelined.
- Aims to maintain competition quality and viewer engagement.
As the new season unfolds, the IPL 2025 over-rate rule change promises to redefine how discipline and gameplay flow go hand-in-hand.
