The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plans to adopt several new playing conditions proposed by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for the forthcoming domestic season. According to a 15-page internal note circulated to state associations, the BCCI is drafting playing conditions for the 2026-27 season that incorporate various updates from the 2026 edition (4th edition of the 2017 Code of Laws), including gender-neutral language and specific rule amendments.
A primary change involves multi-day red-ball cricket, where the final over of the day must now be completed in its entirety, even if a wicket falls during that over. The MCC noted that this adjustment prevents batting sides from attempting to avoid sending a new batter to the crease late in the day. Additionally, the rules regarding deliberate front-foot no-balls (41.8) have been tightened; bowlers found guilty of such actions will now face suspension from bowling for the remainder of the entire match, rather than just the innings. The determination of whether a delivery is deliberate remains subject to umpire discretion.
The updated guidelines further stipulate that if a fielder deliberately intercepts the ball before it reaches the striker, it will be ruled a No Ball and Dead Ball. Furthermore, declaration and forfeiture in the final innings of a match will no longer be permitted to prevent contrived results. Other notable changes include allowing head coaches to enter the field during ODI drinks intervals and clarifying that abandoning a run without intent to deceive is not a deliberate short run. For deliberate short running, the fielding captain now decides which batter faces the next delivery.
Technical definitions have also been refined: the ball is considered 'finally settled' if it is held by any fielder or stationary on the ground, meaning it no longer requires being with the bowler or wicket-keeper to be declared 'Dead.' New guidelines for leg-side wides in white-ball cricket have been introduced, and all fielders must remain within the boundary at the moment of delivery. Additionally, wicket-keepers must be positioned behind the wicket from the instant of delivery, and umpires are now mandated to prevent and report the repeated use of illegal equipment.
Says the relevant clause (12.5.2), "The final over of a day's play will now be completed even if a wicket falls during it." The MCC also explains and gives reasons for the change stating, "Significant change for multi-day cricket.
– There will be a guideline for the leg side wide in One-day and T20 games.
