Cricket is set to enter a new era as the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduces a sweeping set of rule changes that will come into effect from July 2025. Designed to improve fairness, speed up the game, and enhance player safety, these reforms touch on every major format and signal a bold attempt to modernize the sport.
One of the most notable changes affects One Day Internationals (ODIs). The long-standing use of two new balls—one from each end—will be revised. Starting from July 2, only one ball will be used from the 35th over onward. Fielding teams will select one of the two in-use balls to continue with for the remainder of the innings. In rain-shortened matches under 25 overs per side, a single ball will be used throughout. This aims to restore balance between bat and ball by bringing back the role of reverse swing in the latter stages of an innings, something that had gradually disappeared under the two-ball system.
Test cricket, often criticized for slow over rates, will now include a visible “stop-clock” to monitor the time between overs. Teams will have 60 seconds to begin a new over. If they fail to do so, the fielding side will first receive two warnings. On the third violation, a five-run penalty will be added to the batting side’s total. These penalties will reset every 80 overs. This move is expected to quicken the pace of Test matches and maintain audience engagement.
The ICC has also strengthened its stance on player welfare with revised concussion substitute protocols. Teams must now nominate five possible substitutes before the match begins, including one for each key player category: batter, spin bowler, pace bowler, wicketkeeper, and all-rounder. If a player is concussed, they must sit out for a mandatory period of seven days. In rare cases where the substitute also suffers a concussion, a secondary replacement may be considered at the discretion of the match referee. This change is intended to ensure consistent and fair replacement decisions while keeping safety at the forefront.
Additionally, the Decision Review System (DRS) will undergo minor but important adjustments. When a team uses DRS for multiple elements in the same appeal, “umpire’s call” for LBW decisions will now automatically count as “out” if all other aspects of the review are upheld. This change is intended to eliminate confusion around reviews involving multiple elements like bat-pad catches and LBW calls in the same delivery.
Boundary catch rules have also been clarified. Fielders who make contact with the ball while airborne beyond the boundary rope must ensure that both the initial and any subsequent contact with the ball occur only when they are within the field of play. Any violation will result in the ball being deemed six runs.
Together, these rule changes signal the ICC’s commitment to evolving the game while maintaining its core values. By addressing the pace of play, the balance between bat and ball, and the safety of players, the ICC is attempting to craft a more viewer-friendly and competitive future for international cricket. As the changes come into effect, teams and players across the globe will have to adapt quickly to stay ahead in this new landscape.