The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rolled out a sweeping set of rule changes across all three formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is—that aim to enhance game pace, improve player safety, and uphold the spirit of fair play.
These new playing conditions, recommended by the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee led by former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, took effect starting June 17, 2025.
A major alteration in One Day Internationals (ODIs) is the reversion to using a single ball for the final 16 overs. Previously, two new balls were used throughout the innings.
Now, after 34 overs, the fielding side must select one of the two balls to continue with. This change is expected to influence late-innings bowling strategies, especially regarding swing and reverse swing.
Test cricket also undergoes a vital transformation with the mandatory use of a 60-second stop clock between overs. This move is designed to counter slow over rates, with repeated delays resulting in a five-run penalty. The measure is expected to maintain momentum and improve the viewing experience.
For fielders at the boundary, stricter rules now apply to airborne catches. A fielder who touches the ball while airborne outside the boundary must ensure they land completely inside the field of play before completing the catch. This clarification removes past confusion and ensures more consistent umpiring decisions.
Player welfare has been given top priority with strengthened concussion protocols. Teams are now required to nominate concussion substitutes ahead of a match, reducing any unfair advantage.
Additionally, any player diagnosed with a concussion must observe a mandatory seven-day rest period before returning to competitive action.
Other significant updates include redefining the DRS ‘wicket zone’ to match the actual outline of stumps and bails for more accurate decision-making. In the case of a deliberate short run, the fielding captain now has the added option to choose which batter faces the next delivery.
Looking ahead, the ICC will trial new rules from October 2025, including substitution for injured players in domestic first-class matches and a revised wide-ball rule that considers the batter’s movement at the point of delivery.
These rule changes debuted in the World Test Championship clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and will extend to ODIs and T20Is in the same series starting July 2 and July 10, respectively.