After months of behind-the-scenes debate, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally stepped in to tighten the rules and close loopholes that sparked major arguments in recent matches.
The changes are aimed at making international cricket fairer, safer, and less prone to last-minute manipulation — especially when it comes to concussion substitutions and other player replacements.
Fallout from India vs England Spurs Protocol Reform
Remember that heated T20 series between India and England in Pune?
England was left furious when India swapped out all-rounder Shivam Dube for fast bowler Harshit Rana under the concussion substitute rule — right in the middle of a critical match.
Harshit, known for his fiery 90mph pace, picked up three major wickets and helped India clinch the series with a 15-run win.
What stung England even more was that Rana wasn’t a like-for-like replacement.
He had barely ever batted in T20s, while Dube hardly bowled in his recent outings.
Yet, the match referee — former Indian cricketer Javagal Srinath — approved the move, raising eyebrows around the cricketing world.
New Rule: Declare Concussion Subs Before the Toss
To avoid a repeat of that controversy, the ICC has now introduced a straightforward fix: teams must declare their concussion substitutes before the toss.
That means no more last-minute tactical swaps based on the match situation.
Everyone knows the options upfront, and the playing field is more level — quite literally.
Concussed Players Now Must Rest for at Least Seven Days
Another major adjustment is aimed at player safety.
Until now, it was only recommended that a player sit out for a week after a concussion.
But that advice wasn’t enforced — and in Dube’s case, he was back on the field just 48 hours later.
That’s no longer allowed.
A mandatory seven-day recovery period is now in place for any player diagnosed with a concussion during a match.
ICC to Trial Injury Substitutes in Domestic Games
In a first for international cricket, the ICC is also gearing up to trial injury substitutes.
Starting in October, a six-month trial across domestic first-class matches will allow a seriously injured player — say, one with a broken bone or torn muscle — to be replaced by someone with a similar role.
If the trial goes well, expect to see this innovation adopted more widely, perhaps even at the international level.
No More ‘Flying Fielders’ Outside the Boundary
Fielders who launch themselves outside the boundary in a desperate attempt to catch the ball are now under new scrutiny.
From now on, even if a player taps the ball mid-air outside the boundary, they must land back inside the boundary for the play to count.
If they don’t, it’s either four or six runs to the batting team — no questions asked.
Catches completed after leaving the field of play won’t count either.
This rule kicks in globally before the MCC even updates the official Laws of Cricket next year.
Test Cricket Gets a Stop Clock
In a move to speed up the longest format of the game, a 60-second stop clock is now in effect for Test matches.
Once an over finishes, the fielding team must be ready to bowl the next within a minute.
Two warnings will be issued before penalties kick in.
Every delay after that results in a five-run penalty — at least until the 80-over mark, when the counter resets.
ODI Ball Usage Tweaked for Better Balance
One-Day Internationals are also seeing an equipment change.
Teams will use two balls until the end of the 34th over, after which the fielding side gets to pick which of the two to continue with for the final 16 overs.
This tweak could influence reverse swing and bowling tactics, adding a fresh strategic layer to the game.
More Precision in DRS and Penalties for Short Runs
Tech-savvy fans will love this one: the Decision Review System (DRS) will now use the actual visible edge of the stumps and bails as the zone for judging wicket hits. No more vague outlines — the zone is now crystal clear.
Also, if a batter attempts a deliberate short run, the fielding team not only earns a five-run penalty but also gets to decide who takes strike next.
That’s a huge advantage in the closing overs of a close match.
Wide Ball Rules Get a Modern Update
Finally, in white-ball cricket, bowlers are getting some love.
A new trial will judge wide balls based on the batter’s original stance at the point of delivery — not where they end up after moving across the crease.
This change offers bowlers more leeway when a batter shuffles toward the off side mid-delivery and should cut down on controversial wide calls.
So, What’s Next for International Cricket?
All these changes — from pre-declared concussion subs to airborne fielding restrictions and tech-based judgments — signal a big shift in how the game is regulated.
The ICC is clearly listening, responding, and pushing to make cricket fairer, faster, and more player-focused.
As the domestic injury sub trials roll out in October and these rules begin to take shape on the international stage, all eyes will be on how teams adapt.
Stay tuned — the game is evolving, and it’s happening fast.