ICC rolls out key rule changes for men’s cricket across all formats

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a series of important rule changes for men’s cricket across all three formats — Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is). These changes aim to bring more balance between bat and ball and improve fairness in the game. The new rules will come into effect in the coming weeks.

One of the most notable changes is in ODIs. Previously, two new balls were used — one from each end — for the first 25 overs of an innings. Now, both balls will be used up to the 34th over. From the 35th over onwards, teams must select one of the two balls to use for the remaining overs.

For matches shortened to 25 overs or less, only one ball will be used throughout the innings. This adjustment is expected to help bowlers produce reverse swing in the later stages of an innings — something that had become difficult with consistently hard balls.

The ICC has also updated the concussion substitute rule. Teams will now be required to name five substitute players before each match: one batter, one wicketkeeper, one seam bowler, one spin bowler, and one all-rounder.

This rule ensures fair and balanced replacements in case of a concussion. If one of the named substitutes also gets injured, the match referee can allow a replacement from outside the original list.

These rules will be implemented starting June 17 for Tests, July 2 for ODIs, and July 10 for T20Is. Currently, they apply only to men's international matches.

In a separate change, the ICC — in partnership with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) — has decided to ban “bunny-hop” boundary catches. These are catches where a fielder, while jumping from beyond the boundary line and remaining airborne, taps the ball back into the field of play.

According to the new rule, for a catch to be considered valid, the fielder must have been inside the boundary at the time of touching the ball and must land inside the field after contact. Catches involving jumping entirely from outside the field will no longer be allowed.

However, if a fielder starts inside the boundary, taps the ball up, steps outside the field due to momentum, and then returns to complete the catch, it will still be considered legal.

Although this law will officially take effect from October 2026, it will be reflected in ICC playing conditions as early as next week.

These changes are part of ICC’s ongoing efforts to modernise the game and ensure fairness across formats.