Rules Update for 2026

Please review the updates rules for 2026 as a summary here. The complete rules document is updated at HCCL Key Rules

Umpiring

In addition to your own team roster, Umpires can be from any team’s roster playing HCCL 2026 leagues (A,B or C), as long as their team is not playing during that game.

If umpires are brought from outside the HCCL league roster, it will be treated as missed umpiring, and the applicable penalties and infractions will apply as defined in the rules. The penalty will be given to the team that was assigned to provide umpires for that game, not to the team umpiring at that time.

Playoff Disqualification

The playoff disqualification rule has been updated:
a team will now be disqualified after 3 infractions, instead of the previous 2 infractions.

(Infraction = violation) Each umpire who does not show up counts as 1 infraction. Two umpires missing from a team for a game counts for 2 infractions.

No seeding, just ranking.

No seeding. Team ranking is based on win/tie/penalty and NRR applies for a tie breaker.

Late Finish Penalty

Each game must finish within 3 hours and 15 minutes from the scheduled start time listed in the app, no matter how late it started. (Round Robin only)

It is the collective responsibility of both teams and the umpires to ensure that games finish on time. To help enforce that, if the game exceeds beyond start time of the next schedule game, both teams will receive a Negative 0.5 point penalty

❌ Team A gets Negative 0.5

❌ Team B gets Negative 0.5

If it is evident that one team was responsible for the delay or if a delay is determined to be intentional, whether by one team or both teams, the HCCL Board reserves the right to review the matter and apply penalties to one or both teams.

If the match starts late due to weather or the previous game running long, Teams must adjust the game to a reduced overs format as defined in Section#8C of Game Setup in HCCL Rules, so the match can still finish within the time window. If one team refuses to play a reduced overs game, that team will forfeit the match.

A Possible Scenario for late finish penalty as an example

Game #1 – 9:00 AM start time
Team A & Team B
Game started on time at 9:00 AM
(Scheduled start time: 9:00 AM)

⏰ Game finished late at 12:45 PM
(30 minutes beyond allowed time)
(Scheduled finish time: 12:15 PM)
(20 over game)

❌ Team A gets -0.5 points
❌ Team B gets -0.5 points

Game #2 – 12:15 PM start time
Team C & Team D
Game started late at 12:45 PM
Started 30 minutes late
(Scheduled start time: 12:15 PM)

Game finished on time at 3:30 PM
(Scheduled finish time: 3:30 PM)

(Played a reduced 15 over game as defined in Section #8C of Game Setup in HCCL Rules)

✅ No Negative Points

Game #3 – 3:30 PM start time
Team E & Team F
Game started on time at 3:30 PM
(Scheduled start time: 3:30 PM)

Game finished on time at 6:45 PM
(Scheduled finish time: 6:45 PM)

(20 over game)

✅ No Negative Points

Reduced Over Rules - Section#8C of “Game Setup” of the Rulebook
(Same rules from 2025 - No change in 2026)

Delay up to 10 minutes

Game Format:

• Full 20 overs per side

Delay between 10 and 45 minutes

Game Format:

• 15 overs per side

• 3 overs maximum per bowler

• 4 overs powerplay

• Mid-innings break after 8 overs

More than 45 minutes

Match will be declared a washout and HCCL board will make an attempt to reschedule

Summary of other useful Rules (No change in 2026)

The complete rules document is updated at HCCL Key Rules

Minimum 7 Required at Schedule Game Time

Both teams must have a minimum of 7 players at scheduled game time to prevent a forfeit. Umpires will make the final decision on forfeit.

Game stop for lightning and next steps

Please follow the instructions for lightning and do not return until you hear the siren at SMP.

Retired Batsman can resume

As per Section#6B of Substitution, the retire batsman can resume innings at fall of any wicket or retirement of another batsman.

No Super Over for League Games

In case for a tie during league games, points will be split between teams, each team gets 1 point. Super over only applies to Playoffs and beyond.

Playoff Eligibility for the players

A player must meet a minimum game requirement based on the total matches their team played (excluding washouts or forfeits).

Player Identification and Photo Requirements

It is mandatory for every player to have a clear photograph uploaded to their CricClubs profile, if a player is found without a photo before a game, they are barred from playing.

Field Availability and Weather Line

If the weather line says the ground is open, but if its still raining, for SMP, its a game-time decision. Both teams must show up at the ground and umpires will take a decision, no exceptions. For MHMS & LEMS, captains can make mutual decision one hour before the game.

Cancellation due to ground conditions

Playing teams must report the details to HCCL admin via email or form.

Rescheduling of games

Only first 24 games will be rescheduled across all divisions, and for the rest of the games, points will be split.

Rules for shortened game

Please review existing rules.

Substitute can wicket keep, but can't bowl or bat

A substitute cannot bowl, bat or serve as the captain. A substitute is allowed to keep wickets.

Mankading is permitted and valid way to get out

See Mankading section on page#19 of the Rulebook.

Resposibility of Square Leg Umpire

Please note that square leg umpire CAN NOT make a call for caught behind. It is main umpire's call, and he can not consult square leg umpire for a caught behind decision.

Points

Please review existing points rules.

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