Captains cautioned about 'incomplete' catches in the IPL

IPL team captains have been cautioned about fielder movement before and after completing a catch during the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Teams have been specifically told that the fielder must have full control of the ball and his body before the catch is deemed complete and celebration breaks out.

Clause 33.3 and Page 64 of the Playing conditions state an oft-repeated point: "The act of making a catch shall start from the time when the ball first comes into contact with a fielder's person and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his own movement."

The clause, of course, is age-old. But at a meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday evening, captains were shown video clips of several catches - some of which were deemed unfair. At least one example clearly illustrated the point, with officials stressing that a fielder's body must be under complete control for the catch to be considered valid.

This rule, the teams were told, will be strictly implemented. Javagal Srinath and Nitin Menon addressed this particular segment of the 90-minute meeting.

Captains were also informed that the Impact Player rule is here to stay for at least another season. When the issue was raised, BCCI and IPL officials told captains and managers that there will be no immediate review of the provision.

One IPL captain has openly opposed the rule. "I don't like this rule, honestly, because I am an all-rounder. Earlier, you would pick an allrounder for batting and bowling. Because of this rule, the team management goes for a particular batsman or bowler, thinking 'Why do we need an allrounder?'," Axar Patel recently remarked on the rule.

The prevailing view, of course, is that the rule impedes the development of all-rounders. However, BCCI and IPL officials, who addressed the captains and managers, indicated that any review of the rule will only be considered after the 2027 season.

"It was discussed, and it was made clear to all of us that the Impact Player rule is here to stay for at least two more seasons," said a franchise member who attended Wednesday's meeting.