The Indian Premier League’s 2025 season is entering its final stretch, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India has introduced new rules to ensure more games are completed on time. With rain forecasts looming, the league has added two extra hours to each matchday. This change follows the abandoned match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders on May 17 in Bengaluru.
What the new rules mean
After the Chennai Super Kings vs. Rajasthan Royals match on May 20, only eight league stage matches will remain, with seven of them scheduled for the evening. Day games must now end by 6:50 PM, while evening matches have a 10:50 PM cutoff. Under the new rules, a day game can start as late as 5:30 PM without cutting any overs, and an evening game can begin by 9:30 PM without shortening the match.
Why the change?
Typically, the two-hour extension rule only applies to playoff matches. But with the IPL 2025 season resuming after a suspension and the monsoon season approaching India, the extra time rule has been extended to league matches to fit in as many games as possible. The Board’s move aims to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth conclusion to the tournament.