A new set of stricter rules aimed at tightening the noose around erring cricketers this domestic season has been announced, with players now facing heavy costs as a deterrent if they appeal fines or sanctions for misconduct. In an apparent balancing measure, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has, for the time ever, allowed offenders to bring their lawyers for hearings when contesting penalties imposed under the more stringent ‘Code of Conduct (CoC)’.
However, the CoC also states that no player or team official — including coaches and managers — can approach a “court or similar forum”.
Demerit points system
Among the most significant changes is the introduction of demerit points, in addition to monetary fines, to deal with on- and off-field behaviour. These points can lead to suspensions, with lifetime bans representing the harshest punishment.
Most significantly, demerit points will remain on an offender’s record for 24 months, or two domestic seasons, before being erased if no repeat offence is committed. The BCCI has stressed in the CoC document that the threat of suspension is the strongest deterrent, hence the system of accumulated demerit points.
The CoC document, accessed by Patriot, makes the purpose clear: the sanctioning regime is meant both to punish those found guilty of misconduct and to deter others from acting improperly.
Coaches too come under radar
Offences are divided into four categories. Level 1 carries a warning or a fine up to 50% of the match fee, equal to one or two demerit points. Level 2 brings fines up to 100% of the match fee or two suspension points, amounting to as many as four demerit points. Level 3 covers four to 12 suspension points, equal to five or six demerit points. The most serious, Level 4, results in 12 suspension points, equivalent to seven or eight demerit points, and could end in a lifetime suspension.
A referee pointed out that the new rules also bring coaches under scrutiny. “In a few instances, coaches have fought with referees when their players were pulled up for some offence. So far, we didn’t have anything in the rules to impose fines on coaches. Now we have,” he said, though he admitted it might take time to implement the system as this is its first year.
The demerit points framework applies across all tournaments for juniors, seniors, men, and women. It was first introduced in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Heavy cost of appeal
The CoC also extends to domestic tournaments the appeal fee introduced in the 2025 IPL, where players, team officials, and franchises were required to pay Rs 90 lakh to appeal sanctions. The slabs for domestic tournaments are: Rs 3 lakh for senior men’s tournaments, Rs 1 lakh for junior men’s and senior women’s events, and Rs 50,000 for junior women’s competitions.
A referee suggested that the fee was designed to discourage challenges. “On the face of it, it looks like this fee has been introduced to discourage players and others from appealing — and accepting the verdict of referees. You can appeal only if you deposit the appeal fee,” he said.
The Ombudsman has also been given powers to add to the financial burden on offending players/team officials. According to the rules, if an appeal is found to be made “spuriously, frivolously or otherwise in bad faith”, the Ombudsman may require the appellant to cover the costs, including that of holding the hearing, any interpretation costs, the legal and/or travel/accommodation costs of the Ombudsman and/or any other relevant parties.
Restrictions during suspension
Suspended players or team officials cannot play, coach, or participate in any capacity in matches organised by a state cricket association (SCA) or the BCCI, including friendlies and warm-up games. The rules clarify that they may continue to be involved in cricket elsewhere, but not in matches for any team or those representing an SCA.
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The CoC is to be interpreted in line with Indian law, with Mumbai courts holding exclusive jurisdiction.
Unanswered questions
Despite the detailed framework, referees and officials remain unconvinced that the new rules resolve all potential situations. One referee questioned how suspensions would be counted if a player, missed a match, which he was penalised for, due to injury. “How can you serve suspension when you are missing a match through injury? This remains an unanswered question,” he remarked, citing discussions at a recent seminar in Ahmedabad.
Another attendee pointed out that officials had no clear answers to what would happen if a player collected demerit points in domestic cricket, went on to play for India, and returned years later to his state team. There was also no clarity on players switching state teams after being suspended.
“The seminar conductors didn’t seem well prepared. We were simply told to allot demerit points and that the BCCI would handle suspensions,” the official said.
The workshop was addressed by a former international umpire from Ahmedabad, a lawyer representing the BCCI, and a recently retired match referee from New Delhi.
