According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the demerit points system was added to its code of conduct with the intention of creating a deterrence mechanism that emphasizes the possibility of suspension rather than actual suspension. The goal of this strategy is to motivate players, officials, and others to behave differently.
“The IPL believes that the threat of a suspension is the strongest deterrent to bring about a change in behavior, hence the system of accumulated Demerit Points which is included in the Code of Conduct,” the BCCI noted in a communication to the clubs.
According to Cricbuzz, the new approach is an adaption of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code, with a few minor modifications. The BCCI system only keeps points for three years, but the ICC keeps them for five. “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,” according to the BCCI.
“The player or team official receives a ban or suspensions after accruing a certain number of Demerit Points.
Article 7.6 of the Regulations contains information about the same. “Article 7.8 of the Regulations provides an example of suspension through accumulation of Demerit Points,” the email states.
Four-seven demerit points will result in a one-match ban, eight to eleven points will result in a two-match suspension, twelve to fifteen points will result in a three-match suspension, and sixteen or more points would result in a five-match suspension, according to Article 7.6. The method for accruing points over a three-year period is described in Article 7.8, which also describes how the incremental system works in the case that there are several breaches throughout that time frame.
Additionally, the BCCI describes the new regulation’s demerits point system. “If a player or team official is found to have violated the Code of Conduct, they will be penalized with merit points. The penalty issued for the specific offenses will be used to determine how many Demerit Points are assessed.
Naturally, the number of demerit points will depend on the severity of the infraction. For example, one (1) demerit point is awarded for a fine equal to 25% of the match cost. Three to four demerit points are awarded for a Level 2 offense, five to six for a Level 3 offense, and seven to eight for a Level 4 violation. One important difference is that the penalty could be applied for a set amount of time or for a predetermined number of games. This is decided by the match referee or an ombudsman.
“Where a match referee or ombudsman suspends a player or team official, unless the suspension is for a set duration (e.g., a year), any such suspension period shall be referenced by Suspension Points,” the BCCI states. A single suspension point will be awarded for each League match. To be clear, a suspension of one (1) match will follow a sanction of one (1) suspension point.
The case of Pandya
“Any sanction imposed prior to the 2025 Season shall continue to be complied by the Player or Team Official,” the BCCI stated, clarifying that Hardik Pandya would get a one-match suspension for the violation from the previous season but would not receive any demerit points. Demerit points, however, will not be awarded for any fines issued until the 2025 season.
The email starts off by saying, “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,” without specifically mentioning the Pandya case. “The team captain will no longer be suspended from a game for committing a minimum overrate offense under the regulations. Fielding restrictions and a fine are the only consequences of a minimum over-rate offense.
An appeal procedure against the sanctions is also available, but it costs Rs 90 lakh. “Any sanction imposed under Level 2 or Level 3 offenses is appealable before the BCCI Ombudsman under the Regulations,” the mail states. Nevertheless, if a player, team official, or franchisee wants to challenge these punishments, they must pay an appeal fee, which is INR 90 lakh. Only if the appeal is fully successful before the Ombudsman will this appeal fee be reimbursed.
The Governing Council of the IPL has approved the revised rules, according to the BCCI. At the meeting held at Cricket Centre on Thursday, the team managers and captains received a briefing about it.
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