WEBDESK: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a fresh set of rule changes that will be applied across all formats of international cricket. These updates aim to make the game safer, fairer, and more balanced for both batters and bowlers.
Modification to Two-Ball rule
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.
Concussion substitutes
The ICC has also made concussion substitute rules stricter. Teams must now select five specific substitutes – one each for batter, wicketkeeper, fast bowler, spinner, and all-rounder – before the match. These substitutes can be used only if a like-for-like replacement is needed due to concussion.
Bunny hop catches termed illegal by ICC
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.
These new rules will take effect starting June for Test matches and from July for ODIs and T20Is.
