Argus News - BCCI Bars Benched IPL Players from Roaming During Matches

New Delhi, Apr 9: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced new rules in IPL 2026 and according to which only players named in the official 16-member match squad are permitted to step onto the field.

This means, the benched players will no longer be allowed to move around the ground during a match.

The decision comes amid growing concerns about substitute players frequently entering the field, sometimes disrupting the flow of play. While no official incident has been cited as the trigger, the new rules are seen as a proactive measure to maintain fairness and order.

While the specific reasoning behind these changes to the Match Playing Conditions (MPC) remains unclear, a report by Cricbuzz claims the IPL Governing Council has informed franchises that substitute players not included in the designated 16 won't be allowed to "enter the field with drinks, bats, or to deliver messages."

"Instructions have been passed to us only recently that all substitutes cannot move around during the match. They are also not allowed to carry drinks onto the field. Only the 16 named in the team for the match can do so. In addition to that, only five outside the playing XI can move around. The others can sit in the dugout but cannot move between the boundary line and the LED advertising boards," the report quoted multiple sources as saying.

Also read: IPL 2026: "Rahul Dravid End" and "Anil Kumble End" Unveiled at Chinnaswamy Stadium

The ruling has been added as an extension to existing clauses 11.5.2 and 24.1.4 in the IPL’s MPC. These clauses already govern player conduct and field access, and the new addition strengthens discipline by preventing substitutes from roaming around the ground or engaging in unofficial duties during play.