Starting from IPL 2025, captains will no longer face a one-match suspension after three over-rate violations in a season. Instead, such infractions will now result in fines and in-game fielding penalties, aligning the league’s disciplinary framework with the ICC’s code of conduct.

However, suspensions handed out before the 2025 season will still be enforced. For instance, Hardik Pandya will remain suspended for Mumbai Indians’ opening game against Chennai Super Kings on March 23, due to a previous over-rate offence.

To streamline disciplinary measures, the IPL governing council has introduced a new demerit points system. Under this structure, players and team officials will receive demerit points for sanctions imposed by the match referee. For example, a 25% match fee fine will earn one demerit point. These points will remain on an individual’s record for 36 months, and accumulating enough could lead to suspensions.

Franchises, players, or team officials penalized for Level 2 or 3 offences can appeal the decision to the BCCI ombudsman—provided they pay an appeal fee of INR 90 lakh (approx. USD 104,000). The fee will be refunded only if the appeal is fully successful.

Importantly, any penalties imposed prior to IPL 2025 will not be retroactively converted into demerit points.