ICC introduces new set of rules across all formats

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a series of changes to its rules across all three formats of international cricket.

The rules, introduced in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, are aimed at balancing the competition between bat and ball.

Set to take effect from June 17 for Test matches, July 2 for ODIs, and July 10 for T20Is, the rules will apply only to men’s cricket.

As per reports, the ICC has announced the most significant change in the ODIs rules as it modified the Two-Ball Rule.

The previous rule saw the use of two balls, with each ball used from one end for the first 25 overs.

However, the ICC has amended the rule, allowing the use of both balls up to the 34th over.

The bowling side will be allowed to choose one of the two balls for the remaining overs from the 35th over.

Meanwhile, one ball will be used throughout the innings in case a match is reduced to 25 overs or fewer.

Additionally, teams will now be required to name five substitute players before each match.

Teams will have to name one wicketkeeper, one batter, one seam bowler, one spin bowler, and one all-rounder.

The ICC is also set to introduce a new boundary catching rule to make ‘bunny hop’ catches illegal.

The ‘bunny hop’ catches were taken by Michael Neser, Tom Banton, and Matt Renshaw in different editions of the Big Bash League (BBL).

Under the new rule being added to the ICC Playing Conditions this month—and later to the MCC’s Laws of Cricket in October 2026—an airborne fielder will be allowed to make contact with the ball only once while outside the boundary and must return to the field of play for the catch to be considered valid.