The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved major modifications to the two-ball rule in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and the concussion substitution protocol in all formats of men’s international cricket. These new playing conditions will take effect on June 17 for Tests, July 2 for ODIs, and July 10 for T20Is.

The revamped two-ball regulation in ODIs will continue to employ two new balls, one from each end, until the 34th over. After overs 35-50, the bowling team will choose one of the two balls to use at both ends. The ICC noted that this change was intended to restore balance between bat and ball. If an ODI is cut to 25 overs per side or less before the first innings starts, only one new ball will be used during the innings.

The ICC has also implemented extensive concussion substitution guidelines.

Before the contest begins, the teams must identify five substitute players to the match referee who will fill the following roles: one wicketkeeper, one batter, one seam bowler, one spin bowler, and one all-rounder.

This modification intends to avoid contentious concussion substitute decisions, such as India substituting Shivam Dube with Harshit Rana in the fourth T20I against England, which prompted debate owing to worries about whether it was a like-for-like replacement. Furthermore, if a replacement player suffers a concussion, the match referee may accept a substitution other than the five nominated players, according to the existing like-for-like protocol.

MCC bans multiple airborne contacts beyond boundary in updated catch rule

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has also revised playing conditions regarding boundary catches, disallowing the bunny hop technique outside the boundary for clean catches, which will be effective from October 2026. Under the revised rule, an airborne fielder can only make one contact with the ball beyond the boundary before returning to the field to complete the catch.