ICC New Rules Changes: All You Need to Know

A game of cricket has a mixture of drama, thrill, emotion and all the elements, which are enough to keep you hooked. Now this thrilling game is going to be more exciting with the new rules brought by the International Cricket Council (ICC). These major changes will not only make the game fairer, but will also bring an added thrill to the game.
Read the story to know all the new rules or changes:

1. Test Cricket Gets a Timer:

In a first for Test cricket, the ICC has introduced the stop clock rule. If a wicket falls or the over ends, the bowling team has to start another over in a 60-second timeline. 

What’s the Penalty?

If a team fails to do so, here is what they have to pay:

• First two delays: Just a warning
• Third time onward: 5 penalty runs awarded to the batting side

This rule is already in use for ODIs and T20Is, but now it will also be in force during the World Test Championship 2025–27 matches.

2. No More Short Run 

If a batter intentionally doesn’t complete a run to gain an advantage (like keeping strike or rushing between ends), umpires can now:

• Penalize the batting team with 5 runs
• Ask the fielding side which batter they want on strike

This stops batters from gaming the system, especially in crunch overs.

3. Mistaken Saliva Use Won’t Force Ball Change

The use of saliva to shine the ball remains banned (as it has been since COVID-19). But here’s the catch:

• If done by mistake, umpires will now judge the ball condition
• The ball will be replaced only if it is significantly altered

So, one accidental puts Saliva, won’t immediately call for a new ball.

4. LBW Now Part of Catch Appeals4. LBW Now Part of Catch Appeals

Another rule, which has always remained in controversy, has now been changed. Earlier, if a fielding team reviewed for caught behind and it was ruled not out, that was it. Now, if the ball hits the pad first, the TV umpire will also check for LBW. So, even if the catch fails, a player might still walk back a leg before.

Find Out Which Rule Got Rishabh Pant Penalised in the First Test

5. T20 Powerplays Adjusted for Shortened Matches

When rain or other factors reduce a T20 match to fewer overs, there’s often confusion about how many overs of Powerplay apply.

Now, there’s a clear formula:

Match Overs	Powerplay Overs
5 overs	1.3 overs
6 overs	1.5 overs
10 overs	3 overs
15 overs	4.3 overs

…and so on.Only two fielders are allowed outside the circle during Powerplay — no matter how short the match is.

More Rules That Quietly Changed Earlier

A. One Ball After 35 Overs in ODIs

In ODIs, teams used to use two separate balls from each end. Now, from the 35th over onwards, only one ball will be used, selected by the fielding side from the two.

This is meant to bring reverse swing back into play in the death overs — a great twist for pace bowlers.

B. Concussion Substitutes: List Players Before Match

Now, teams must name five specific concussion substitutes before the match — one for each type:

• 1 Batsman
• 1 Wicketkeeper
• 1 Fast Bowler
• 1 Spinner
• 1 All-Rounder

No more deciding on the spot. This keeps replacements fair and closer to the original player’s skill set.

C. Boundary Catch Rules Finally Tightened

This rule was sparked by BBL controversies, especially Michael Neser’s flying boundary catch that left fans confused.

What’s Changing?

• If a fielder catches the ball while in the air after going outside the boundary, it will no longer count.
• To complete such a catch legally, the fielder must be inside the boundary or land inside after throwing it in.

MCC will make this rule official from October 2026, but ICC has already applied it from the SL vs BAN Test in June 2025.

Why These Changes Matter

These rules reflect how cricket is evolving. These new rules will make the game clearer. Also, to remove any disputation game, these new rules have been introduced. All these rules will make the game more fair, clear and also, exciting for both players and fans like you.