(Image source from: Hindustantimes.com)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly told Indian Premier League (IPL) teams that players who are not actively participating in a match can no longer freely move around the field. According to the new rules, extra players are not allowed on the field unless they are part of the 16-member team listed for the game. Although the exact reasons for these updates to the Match Playing Conditions (MPC) are unclear, a report from Cricbuzz suggests that the IPL Governing Council has communicated to teams that substitute players who are not included in the 16-man list will not be permitted to "enter the field with drinks, bats, or to give messages. "

"We have been informed recently that substitutes cannot move around during the game. They also cannot bring drinks onto the field. Only the 16 players named for the match can do this. Additionally, only five players who are outside the playing XI can move around. The others have to remain in the dugout and cannot go between the boundary line and the LED ad boards," the report quoted different sources as stating. This new regulation adds to the current rules 11.5.2 and 24.1.4 in the MPC. Rule 11.5.2 of the Playing Conditions states: "A player can be given a drink either at the edge of the boundary or when there is a wicket, on the field, as long as no playing time is lost. No other drinks can be taken onto the field without the umpires' permission. Any player who brings drinks onto the field must be dressed in proper cricket gear (with the option of wearing bibs). "

Rule 24.1.4 states: "Members of the batting or fielding team who are not playing in the match and are not serving as substitute fielders must wear a team training bib while on the playing area (including the space between the boundary and the fencing)".