The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come out with a new rule for the upcoming domestic season 2025-2026. As per a report by Cricbuzz, BCCI has officially introduced a new 'Serious Injury Replacement' clause into the playing conditions for multi-day domestic tournaments. This significant rule change, which will be implemented for the upcoming domestic season, was prompted by recent incidents in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between India and England. During that series, players like Rishabh Pant and Chris Woakes sustained significant injuries that forced them to play while incapacitated, leaving their teams at a disadvantage.
BCCI's 'Serious injury replacement' rule for domestic season
The new clause specifies that if a player suffers a serious injury during a match, a like-for-like replacement may be permitted. The injury must occur on the field of play and be the result of an external blow, such as a fracture or dislocation. The final decision on allowing a replacement will rest with the match referee, who will consult with medical staff and on-field umpires. This rule will apply to tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy but will not extend to white-ball competitions or the IPL.
"If a player sustains a serious injury during the course of the relevant match, a Serious Injury Replacement may be permitted in the following circumstances. The serious injury must have been sustained during play and within the playing area described in the clause," the newly-introduced rule states, according to Cricbuzz.
While the new "serious injury replacement" rule is set to be implemented in multi-day domestic tournaments, it remains uncertain if it will be adopted for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the new rule will be a permanent fixture for the multi-day Under-19 tournament, the CK Nayudu Trophy.
Going by the same report, the BCCI has also made changes to the playing conditions concerning short runs and retiring batters. With the BCCI having introduced such a significant rule change for injury replacements, it remains to be seen whether the International Cricket Council (ICC) will follow suit and implement similar changes in international cricket. While the ICC did introduce a trial for full-time player replacements in domestic first-class cricket, the rules differ from the BCCI's new domestic rule. The ICC's trial allows replacements for "visible external injuries" but not for muscle strains or internal injuries. The BCCI's new rule, on the other hand, seems to have broader scope. It is yet to be determined if the international body will adopt a more comprehensive rule for all serious injuries in the future.