Delhi: The Marilebone Cricket Club (MCC), considered to be the keepers of cricket rules, has made a big change about fielding near Boundary. This new rule will be implemented in international cricket from 17 June 2025 and will be included in the official rules of MCC from October 2026.

Why the rule was changed

The purpose of this change is to stop catch in which the fielder touches the ball repeatedly or uses ‘bunny hop’ technology while in the air outside the boundary. Fans and players believed that these catches may be correct under the rules, but are against the spirit of sports and should be considered inappropriate.

What were the rules before

According to the Old Testament 19.5.2, if a fielder touches the ball while in the air and his last ground contact was completely inside the field, he was considered valid. This rule had given the fielders exemption that they can stay in the air and touch the ball several times or pass another fielder, provided they are inside the ground while jumping for the first time.

What is the change now

Now this rule will apply to all fielders, whether they are touching the ball first or later. That is, if there are two or more fielders in the catch, then each one will have to fulfill the same conditions.

Sub-clause 19.5.2.1-Exemption to touch the ball once in the air

Now the fielder will be allowed to touch the ball just once in the air, when he jumped from outside the boundary. After this, if he contacts the ground, then he will have to stay completely inside the field. If he goes out of the boundary even after taking a catch or throwing the ball back, he will be considered a four.

Sub-Claus 19.5.2.2-Throwing the ball back in the relay catch

If a fielder jumps from outside the boundary and throws the ball inwards or passes the other fielder, then he will also have to stay inside the ground as soon as he comes back to the ground. If he goes out of the boundary again after throwing the ball, then that ball will be considered a four.

McC’s statement

MCC has said in its statement that the new rule removes techniques like ‘Bani Hop’, where the fielders are completely outside the boundary and touch the ball many times in the air. The new rule says that such a fielder will be allowed to touch the ball only once and after that he will have to stay completely inside the field as long as he is connected to the ball. If he goes out after this, then the surprise will be given, whatever the result of the ball is.