The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to be the 18th edition of the tournament, scheduled from March 21 to May 25, 2025. The season will commence with an opening ceremony at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, which will also host the final. BCCI’s Policy Document for Team India also has a baggage policy and bars players from leaving practice sessions early; reiterates that participation in domestic matches is mandatory.
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Days after the BCCI conducted a review meeting to assess the debacle Down Under, it has sent 10 guidelines to India’s centrally-contracted players. Among these guidelines, accessed by The Indian Express, participation in domestic tournaments is mandatory for selection and tops the list followed by rules for family travel, baggage allowance, and restrictions on personal staff, ad shoots and a ban on players returning home if matches end early.
Exceptions if any must be pre-approved by the head coach and chief selector, the policy document for Team India stated. After India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 in Australia earlier this month questions were raised about the team atmosphere and the cohesion in the side. As previously reported by this newspaper, there have been differences in the set-up and in the aftermath of the defeat, apart from the performances of the established players, other issues were discussed in the review meeting which was attended by the top brass of the BCCI, captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit agarkar .
The BCCI has stated that these guidelines have been introduced to promote discipline, unity and a positive team environment as it has also banned the presence of personal chefs, security guards, hairdressers and stylists on tours. But how much of it is well received by the players remains to be seen, especially with regards to not having chefs on tours. Some of the big name Indian players take chefs on tours to manage their diet which is programmed according to their personal needs.
- Team Leadership Changes: Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the captain of Punjab Kings for the 2025 season.Additionally, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has taken on the role of head coach for Punjab Kings, starting with this season.
- Player Movements: England’s Jofra Archer secured a £1.2 million deal with the Rajasthan Royals after England amended their initial refusal to grant him a no-objection certificate.Veteran England bowler James Anderson, 42, went unsold in the auction despite his desire to debut in the tournament.