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IPL 2025: Demerit Points System explained, Pandya’s suspension to continue
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that the introduction of the demerit points system in its code of conduct aims to establish a deterrent mechanism – focusing on the threat of suspension rather than suspension itself. This approach is designed to encourage a change in the behaviour of players, officials, and others.
In a communique to the franchises, the BCCI explained, “The IPL believes that the threat of a suspension is the strongest deterrent to bring about a change in behaviour, hence the system of accumulated Demerit Points which is included in the Code of Conduct.”
The new system is an adaptation of features from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code but with slight differences, as reported by Cricbuzz. While the ICC carries forward points for five years, the BCCI system retains them for only three years. “The demerit points received by a player or team official under the regulations remain on their record for a period of thirty-six (36) months,” the BCCI says.
“Upon accumulation of Demerit Points, the Player or Team Official is awarded suspension(s). The details regarding the same are provided under Article 7.6 of the Regulations. An example of suspension through accumulation of Demerit Points is provided under Article 7.8 of the Regulations,” the mail mentions.
Article 7.6 specifies that the accumulation of four-seven demerit points will result in a one-match suspension, 8-11 points will lead to a two-match suspension, 12-15 points will incur a three-match suspension, and 16 or more points will result in a five-match suspension. Article 7.8 outlines the system for accumulating points over a period of three years and explains how the incremental system functions in the event of multiple breaches within these 36 months.
The BCCI also outlines how the demerits points are imposed under the new regulation. “Demerit Points will be imposed upon a Player or Team Official found to have committed an offence under the Code of Conduct. The number of Demerit Points imposed will be calculated by reference to the sanction imposed for the particular offences.”
Understandably, the levels of the breach will determine the number of demerit points. For instance, a fine of 25% of the match fee carries one (1) demerit point. A Level 2 offence attracts 3-4 demerit points, a Level 3 offence results in 5-6 demerit points, and a Level 4 breach leads to 7-8 demerit points. A key distinction is that the punishment may be imposed for a specific period or a certain number of matches. The match referee or an ombudsman determines this.
BCCI clarifies, “Where a Match Referee or Ombudsman imposes a period of suspension on any Player or Team Official, then, unless such period is for a fixed period of time (for example, one year) then, any such period of suspension shall be referenced by Suspension Points. Each Match in the League shall carry the weightage of one (1) Suspension Point. To clarify, a sanction of one (1) Suspension Point shall result in a one (1) Match suspension.”
The Pandya case
The BCCI has made it clear that Hardik Pandya will serve a one-match suspension for the breach from last season but will not incur any demerit points. “Any sanction imposed prior to the 2025 Season shall continue to be complied by the Player or Team Official. However, such sanctions imposed prior to the 2025 Season shall not result in imposition of Demerit Points.
“For example, a Player receiving a match suspension in his last game of the 2024 Season will serve the match suspension in the 2025 Season but will get no Demerit Points for this suspension,” the email states this and goes on to add, without explicitly referring to it, but clearly alluding to the Pandya case. “A minimum over-rate offence under the Regulations shall no longer carry a match suspension for the team captain. A minimum over-rate offence shall only result in the imposition of fine and fielding restrictions.”
There is also a system for an appeal against the sanctions, but it requires a payment of Rs 90 lakh. Says the mail, “Under the Regulations, any sanction imposed under Level 2 or Level 3 offence is appealable before the BCCI Ombudsman. However, any Player, Team Official or Franchisee that wishes to appeal such sanctions, may only do so upon the payment of an Appeal Fee which shall be the sum of INR 90 Lakh. This Appeal Fee is refundable only if the appeal is completely successful before the Ombudsman.”
According to the BCCI, the new regulations have been approved by the Governing Council of the IPL. The captains and managers of the teams were briefed about it at Thursday’s meeting at Cricket Centre.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (20) paid his last respects to the remains of Most Venerable Kappetiyagoda Siri Wimala Thera, Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Chief Incumbent of the Rajopawanaramaya Temple in Gatambe, Kandy, who passed away.
The President visited the Rajopawanaramaya Temple in Gatambe, Kandy, where the remains of the Thera are lying, and paid his last respects. He subsequently expressed his deepest condolences to the Maha Sangha and the temple’s Dayaka Sabha, who are mourning the passing of the Thera.
Central Province Governor and Consultant Physician Dr Harsha Suranga Fernando, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta and several others were present.
President’s Media Division (PMD)
India opener Shafali Verma has received an official reprimand and a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Shafali, an ICC release said, breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”
It was Shafali’s first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred in the 12th over of Zimbabwe’s innings when Shafali threw the ball into the ground in frustration after dropping a chance at mid-off offered by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano off Sree Charani.
Shafali admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee GS Lakshmi, which meant there was no need for a formal hearing.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
India currently lead the three-match series 2-0 with the third game to be played on Tuesday evening. The T20Is will be followed by three ODIs in Vadodara from October 23.
(Cricinfo)
A total of 146 players will be competing for 27 available slots in the WPL 2027 mini auction on October 28 in Kochi. Of these, England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australia captain Sophie Molineux are the only two players who have listed themselves at the maximum base price of INR 50 lakh.
The auction pool has 119 Indian players, including 22 capped and 97 uncapped players, with 20 slots available for Indian players. The overseas pool has 27 players – 14 capped and 13 uncapped – including six from Associate teams, with seven slots available.
G Kamalini (released by Mumbai Indians), Kiran Navigre (released by U P Warriorz), Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen have registered at the second-highest base price of INR 40 lakh, while a total of 30 players have registered at INR 30 lakh.
Among the notable absentees are West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin, who was released by UPW, and Australia legspinner Alana King, who was released by Delhi Capitals. Lizelle Lee, who was DC’s highest run-scorer last season, has also not listed herself after being released by the franchise.
What the teams look like going into the auction
Only two English players – Dunkley and Kira Chathli (INR 10 lakh) – have registered for the auction, with several others, including Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Lauren Filer and Linsey Smith opting to skip the WPL next year.
Cricinfo has learned that England are likely to play three T20Is in Sri Lanka in early February, which will clash with the final week of the WPL. While the ECB is likely to allow players to stay in India to complete the tournament, most players have instead chosen to prioritise their international commitments ahead of the Champions Trophy later that month.
The relatively low salaries on offer at the WPL are also understood to be a factor in many English players deciding not to register, with most internationals earning significantly more to play in the Hundred (up to £190,000 last year) than the highest permitted base price in the WPL of INR 50 lakh (£40,000 approx).
Molineux was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru [RCB] title-winning squad in 2024, and had bagged 12 wickets in ten games at an economy rate of 7.31. She was retained by RCB for the 2025 season but a knee injury ruled her out of the season. Dunkley, meanwhile, played for Gujarat Giants [GT] in 2023 before opting not to register for the 2024 season. She went unsold in the 2025 auction.
Among the premier internationals who have listed themselves for INR 30 lakh are Australia allrounder Grace Harris (released by RCB), Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, South Africa left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and South Africa allrounder Chloe Tryon.
UPW, who released nine players, will go into the auction with the biggest purse of INR 3.75 crore.
[Cricinfo]
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