Season 13

Rule Book

The complete rules & regulations, including this season's format, selection and timing changes. The Season 13 updates below supersede any base rule they touch.

New in Season 13

Format & selection

The selection and format changes every team should plan for this season:

✓At least 6 bowlers must bowl in every match — league and knockouts — and there is no cap on the maximum number of bowlers you use. In league matches, Emerging Category players and a super-sub brought on to bowl must each send down a minimum of 2 overs within the first 14 overs of the innings.
✓League (20 overs): only 2 bowlers may bowl a maximum of 4 overs each; every other bowler is capped at 3 overs. So the quota is 4+4+3+3+3+3.
✓Knockouts (25 overs): 2 bowlers may bowl up to 5 overs each and 3 bowlers up to 4 overs each, leaving 3 overs for a 6th bowler — 5+5+4+4+4+3.
✓If overs are cut for a late start, the top quota drops by one over with them. A 19-over league match allows only 1 bowler a 4-over spell, with everyone else capped at 3 — 4+3+3+3+3+3. A 24-over knockout allows 1 bowler a 5-over spell, 4 bowlers 4 overs each and 3 overs for the sixth — 5+4+4+4+4+3. The 6-bowler minimum still applies.
✓League: every Emerging Category player must bowl a minimum of 2 overs, and those overs must come within the first 14 overs of the innings. Knockouts: no such requirement. Every owner must buy an equal number of Emerging Category players.
✓League innings have a 6-over powerplay and no Power Surge. Knockouts have a 4-over powerplay plus a 2-over Power Surge in overs 14–15 and 21–22.
✓Every player requested must play a minimum of 5 league matches.
✓OC advisory to owners: owners manage team finances and split match fees between players internally within the team.

Timing & punctuality

Start on time, finish on time

The whole day's schedule depends on the first match starting on time — delays cost everyone overs:

✓The three matches of the day start on time at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
✓The first match may start as late as 9:15 AM if ground conditions require it — that is the outer limit, not the scheduled time.
✓For every 15 minutes of delay beyond 9:15 AM, one over is cut from every innings of every match that day — e.g. a 9:30 AM start makes all three matches 19-over games.
✓OC recommends reaching the ground 30 minutes before the scheduled start.
✓A player arriving after the first ball is bowled may be allowed into the match — to bat or field — only by mutual agreement of the two captains.

Generic

Field decorum: Both owners and captains are responsible for ensuring proper decorum is maintained on the field.
Team participation: The owner and captain are jointly responsible for bringing the team to the ground on time.
Safety measures: Players are strongly advised to use guards while batting — a heavy ball can pose safety risks. Owners should communicate this to their teams.
Game rules: All ICC rules will be followed during the tournament, except for the LBW mode of dismissal, which is excluded.
Tournament fees: The team owner collects and transfers the tournament fee to the OC. Fees collected from the team are the tournament fee, not the match fee. No refunds will be issued by the OC.
Team provisions: Each team owner/captain arranges their own water, medical kit, and refreshments.
Dress code: Full trousers and a T-shirt are mandatory; any sports jersey or similar attire is fine. Sleeveless T-shirts are strictly prohibited on the field. Repeated violations result in penalties, including a one-match ban.
OC decisions: Arguments or personal accusations against OC decisions are prohibited. Decisions are made collectively by the on-field OC team and do not reflect any individual's opinion.
Equipment restriction: Plastic bats are not allowed in the tournament.
Rule updates: Any updates to the rules will be communicated in advance to all teams.
Owner replacement: If more than 50% of the team members raise concerns about the owner, they may be replaced by another team member through mutual agreement.

Tournament Format

Teams and format: The tournament features 6 teams, with each team playing every other team in the league stage.
Match format: All league matches follow the T20 format — 20 overs per side. (See Season 13 updates for how a delayed start reduces the overs.)
Tournament ball: Green heavy tennis balls are used for all matches.
Semi-finals qualification: The top 4 teams from the league stage qualify for the semi-finals. 1st plays 4th; 2nd plays 3rd.
Third-place match: A match for 3rd position is played on the final match day, 15–20 overs per side.
Semi-finals and final: Both the semi-finals and the final consist of 25 overs per side, scheduled on separate weekends.
Schedule changes: The schedule may be adjusted for ground-related challenges. Changes are made by the OC and communicated in advance. No rescheduling request is entertained once the schedule is out, except for ground-related challenges.

Number of Players

Player registration: Only registered players are eligible. No additions or releases of players are allowed mid-season. (See Player Trades for the one window in which squads may swap players between teams.)
Player requirement for toss: All players must be present 15 minutes before the match starts. A player arriving after the first ball is bowled may be allowed into the match — to bat or field — only by mutual agreement of the two captains. Repeated late arrivals result in penalties.
Submission of playing XI: Before the toss, the captain must share the playing XI with the match officials present at the ground.
Fielding with short players: If a team is short of players, no replacement fielder is allowed — the team continues with the available number.
Batting with short players: If short during batting, only the wickets of available players are counted. If 10 players are available, the team is ALL OUT on the fall of the 9th wicket.
Super-sub provision: Teams may use a super-sub, allowing 12 players. Only 11 can field or bat; the super-sub can either bowl or bat as per the team's decision. The super-sub must either bat in the top 4 or bowl at least 2 overs within the first 14 overs of the innings.
Match delays due to teams: If a match starts late due to one team, a 5-run penalty is imposed on that team. If both teams are responsible, overs are reduced based on the delay. (See Season 13 updates: matches start at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, and every 15 minutes of delay beyond 9:15 AM costs one over in every innings that day.)
Match delays due to ground conditions: The OC makes the final decision. Teams refusing to follow the OC's decision forfeit their points for that match.

Replacement of Players

Player replacements: No player replacements are allowed mid-tournament, except under the specific circumstances below. A trade between two teams is not a replacement — see Player Trades.
Mid-season assessment: A mid-season review addresses player unavailability. If a player confirms availability but fails to show up multiple times during the first leg, they may be disqualified — no penalty is imposed on the team.
Replacement eligibility: If a player is unavailable for the entire tournament for any reason, the owner is eligible to request a replacement.
Replacement player rule: A replacement must play at least 2 matches during the second leg. Failure results in penalties.
Replacement conditions: Replacements are selected from the pool of on-hold players, subject to availability.
Replacement criteria: First, the ratings of available players across all domains (closest match if no exact match). Second, first-come, first-served.
Mandatory matches per player: Each player must play at least 5 of the 10 league matches.

Player Trades

No trades after the auction: No trades are allowed immediately after the auction. Squads settle with the players they bought first.
Trade window: The trade window opens after the 3rd match and closes before the 6th match. Trades can only be agreed and completed within that window.
Rosters locked outside the window: Outside the trade window, rosters are locked — no player moves between teams at any other point in the season.

Innings / Interval

Match format: League matches: 20 overs per side, end change after every 5 overs. Knockouts (semi-finals and final): 25 overs per side, end change after every 5 overs.
Innings time limit: Each innings must be completed within 80 minutes, as decided by the OC. If a team is responsible for consistent delays (15+ minutes in at least three matches), the captain is penalised and is not allowed to play in the following match.
Bowling limit — league (20 overs): At least 6 bowlers must bowl, and there is no cap on the maximum number of bowlers used. Only 2 bowlers may bowl a maximum of 4 overs each; every other bowler is capped at 3 overs. The full quota is therefore 4+4+3+3+3+3.
Bowling limit — knockouts (25 overs): At least 6 bowlers must bowl, and there is no cap on the maximum number of bowlers used. Up to 2 bowlers may bowl 5 overs each and up to 3 bowlers may bowl 4 overs each, leaving 3 overs for a 6th bowler — 5+5+4+4+4+3.
Bowling limit when overs are reduced: If the day's overs are cut for a late start, the top quota drops by one over with them, and the 6-bowler minimum still applies. In a 19-over league match only 1 bowler may bowl 4 overs and everyone else is capped at 3 — 4+3+3+3+3+3. In a 24-over knockout only 1 bowler may bowl 5 overs, 4 bowlers may bowl 4 overs each and the sixth bowls 3 — 5+4+4+4+4+3.
Emerging bowling minimum (league only): In league matches, every Emerging Category player must bowl a minimum of 2 overs, and those overs must come within the first 14 overs of the innings. The same 2-over minimum inside the first 14 overs applies to a super-sub brought on to bowl. There is no such requirement in the knockouts.
Powerplay rules: During powerplay only 2 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. League: the first 6 overs are a powerplay — no Power Surge. Knockouts: the first 4 overs are a powerplay, with a 2-over Power Surge in overs 14–15 and another in overs 21–22.
Breaks: A 5-minute break between innings, and a 2-minute drinks break after 10 overs in each innings.
Reserved days: Reserved days are allocated for the semi-finals and final to account for unforeseen delays or disruptions.
Chucking action: Chucking is strictly prohibited (from ICL 10.0). Any bowler with an illegal action is immediately banned from bowling. A corrected action may be reviewed by the OC in consultation with umpires before the bowler resumes.
Chuck bowlers — final list: The following bowlers have been identified with an illegal (chucking) action and are barred from bowling in ICL 13: 1) Santosh Lad, 2) Kiran T, 3) Rahul H, 4) Aman, 5) Vivek Kumar, 6) Vivek Singh, 7) MKS, 8) Nilesh W, 9) Niraj Lathar.

Match Points

Points allocation: The winning team is awarded 2 points; the losing team receives 0.
Tie-breaker (Super Over): A tie is decided by a Super Over, repeated until a winner emerges. Each Super Over must feature a different bowler; batsmen dismissed in one cannot play subsequent ones; a maximum of 2 wickets is allowed per Super Over.
Forfeited matches: If a team forfeits, the opposing team is awarded 2 points.
Cancelled matches: If a match cannot continue due to inventory or ground issues, it is declared cancelled and both teams receive 1 point each.
No-show by both teams: If both teams fail to show up, neither receives any points (0 each).
Minimum participation requirement: If a team does not meet the minimum player participation requirement, the match is cancelled and the opposing team is awarded the points.
Player match participation penalty: After all league matches, a 1-point penalty is imposed on any team that does not ensure each player plays at least 5 of the 10 league matches. Exceptional cases are evaluated by the OC.
Second innings not completed: If the second innings cannot be completed due to external factors, the DLS rule applies after a minimum of 5 overs, calculated using an online DLS calculator.

Umpires / Scorers

Final authority of umpires: The umpire's decision is final. Excessive argument or disrespect towards umpires results in a 5-run penalty, at the umpires' discretion and only if both umpires agree.
Captain's role in discussions: Only the captains may seek clarification or discuss doubts with the umpires.
Resolution of rule confusion: Umpires may consult among themselves or seek guidance from the organizers in unique situations. If they make a ruling on the ground, it is final — even the organizers cannot overturn it.
Altering decisions: Umpires may alter a decision, but only promptly, without external influence, and by mutual agreement between both umpires.
Scoring reconciliation: Scorers use both a mobile app and traditional scoring. After every over, umpires and scorers reconcile the ball count; discrepancies are decided by the umpires and scorer. The scorer verifies the score at the end of each over.
Suspension for misconduct: The umpire or OC can suspend a player whose behaviour violates fair play, only if both umpires and OC agree.
Penalties for team misconduct: For consistent misconduct, the umpire or OC may impose a fine and suspend the captain for one match, at their discretion.

Retention Policy

Annual format: The ICL follows an annual format with 2–3 seasons conducted across the year.
Ownership and mini-auction: Team ownership remains unchanged through the year unless decided by the OC or complained by 50% of the team's players. A mini-auction is held before each season for released and new players.
Player retention rules: Every team may retain up to 2 players — one from the team's top three MVPs (on CricHeroes) and one from the rest of the roster. This is the same for all 6 owners. In addition, the top four owners each get one Right to Match (RTM); owners 5 and 6 do not.
Mega auction: A Mega Auction is conducted annually — all teams are dissolved and players are reallocated through fresh bidding.

Based on the ICL 2025 Rules & Regulations (OC Team), updated for Season 13.