The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced stricter disciplinary measures through its new code of conduct, implementing a comprehensive demerit points system that carries significant financial penalties and potential lifetime bans for serious misconduct. This revolutionary approach to cricket discipline marks a major shift in how player behavior is monitored and penalized across all domestic tournaments.
Key Points
- Demerit points system introduced with 24-month validity period for tracking player misconduct
- Appeal fees range from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh depending on tournament category
- Four-level offense structure with penalties ranging from warnings to lifetime suspensions
- Team officials included in the new disciplinary framework alongside players
- Legal representation allowed but court appeals are prohibited under new regulations
Understanding the Demerit Points System
The BCCI’s new demerit points system represents a fundamental change in cricket disciplinary procedures, moving away from immediate suspensions to a more structured approach that tracks repeated violations. Players and team officials accumulate points based on the severity of their misconduct, with consequences escalating as points accumulate over a 24-month period.
These changes complement the BCCI IPL eligibility rules that require first-class cricket participation, creating a comprehensive framework for professional cricket standards in India.
Cricket Conduct Penalties Structure
The new cricket disciplinary rules establish four distinct levels of offenses, each carrying specific penalties and demerit point allocations:
Level 1 Offenses include minor infractions such as excessive appealing or showing dissent toward match officials, resulting in warnings or fines up to 50% of match fees plus 1-2 demerit points.
Level 2 Violations encompass public criticism of match incidents or moderate misconduct, carrying fines between 50-100% of match fees and 3-4 demerit points.
Level 3 Breaches involve serious misconduct like personal abuse of officials or intimidation, resulting in 4-12 suspension points equivalent to 5-6 demerit points.
Level 4 Offenses represent the most severe violations including physical assault or violence, leading to minimum 12 suspension points (7-8 demerit points) and potential lifetime bans.
BCCI New Regulations Impact on Domestic Cricket
The implementation of these BCCI new regulations extends across all domestic cricket tournaments, covering junior and senior competitions for both men and women. This comprehensive approach ensures consistent disciplinary standards throughout Indian cricket’s ecosystem, from grassroots level to elite competitions.
The timing aligns perfectly with the India domestic cricket schedule 2025-26, ensuring all tournaments operate under unified conduct standards from the season’s start.
Domestic Cricket Rules Enforcement
The domestic cricket rules now mandate that accumulated demerit points trigger automatic suspensions: 4-7 points result in one-match bans, 8-11 points lead to two-match suspensions, 12-15 points incur three-match bans, and 16 or more points result in five-match suspensions.
Team officials, including coaches and managers, fall under the same disciplinary framework as players, marking a significant expansion of accountability within cricket teams. This inclusion ensures that all stakeholders maintain professional standards and contribute to positive team environments.
Financial Implications of New Code
The cricket conduct penalties include substantial appeal fees designed to discourage frivolous challenges to disciplinary decisions. Senior men’s tournaments carry the highest appeal fee of ₹3 lakh, while junior men’s and senior women’s events require ₹1 lakh, and junior women’s competitions demand ₹50,000 for appeals.
These measures align with the BCCI’s official integrity policies, which emphasize maintaining the highest standards of conduct and fair play across all cricket activities.
Legal Framework Changes
While the new system permits legal representation during hearings, it explicitly prohibits players and officials from approaching courts or similar forums for redress. This provision ensures that disciplinary matters remain within cricket’s governance structure while maintaining procedural fairness through legal counsel access.
Implementation Timeline and Effectiveness
The BCCI code of conduct was first tested during the 2025 Indian Premier League before being extended to all domestic competitions. The official “Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials” document became effective from August 28, 2025, establishing clear guidelines for behavior standards across Indian cricket.
Long-term Disciplinary Impact
The 24-month validity period for demerit points creates a rolling assessment system that encourages sustained good behavior rather than temporary compliance. Points are automatically removed after two years of clean conduct, providing players with clear pathways to rehabilitation and improved standing.
This systematic approach represents a significant evolution in cricket governance, ensuring that player conduct matches the professional standards expected in modern cricket while maintaining the sport’s traditional values of fair play and respect.
