DelhiWhenever a new code of cricket law comes into force, knowing what has changed is only half the challenge. A bigger and more important question is whether the players, umpires, coaches, administrators and everyone else associated with the game have understood what these changes actually are and how they will work? This is the biggest challenge. Till now this question was not given much importance but with the changing times, MCC (who make the new law code) and ICC (who organizes the cricket at the international level in which this new code will be implemented) have understood it.

Therefore, to explain and explain the new Cricket Law Code which came into effect from October 1, 2026, ICC and MCC are not stopping at just publishing them and this time they are making special efforts to make the cricket world aware of these changes. Even the MCC has shifted its focus from just announcing the new code to implementing and communicating it. Talking about India, as part of this programme, MCC representatives are in India these days and are having interactive sessions with administrators, players, coaches, umpires and media.

Five such events have been organized: New Delhi on 30 September, Ahmedabad on 1 October, Kolkata on 2 October, Bengaluru on 5 October and Mumbai on 7 October. Its purpose is to explain the changes to the cricket laws, answer questions and help those playing different roles in cricket understand the new laws when they come into force.

In this episode, recognizing the changing times, this time we have resorted to a new digital tool. The most important part of this education drive is the launch of the new Laws of Cricket app, which has been created by MCC in collaboration with ICC.

This app, created for the first time, is being made available in 6 languages, English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada. Of these, the English app has been launched while the apps in other languages ​​are targeted to be made online in the month of October. Apart from these 6, information about the new law code will be available on the app in more languages ​​before the end of the year.

The aim behind giving so much importance to the app this time is that players and officials to cricket should not depend only on printed books or long documents.

Something should be done which helps in understanding cricket law easily. The app also includes the complete Cricket Law Code, guides and examples explaining these laws in detail, videos explaining the umpire's signals and a law quiz with over 100 questions at three different levels. It also allows users to share links to cricket laws and videos via social media. This means that those who are using this app should share the information they are getting among themselves.

MCC has also improved the law section of its website to make it easier to find information.

There is a complete search function here and on the app and there will be updates coming from time to time.

Well, let us tell you briefly what is actually changing? There are 73 important changes in the law in the code of 2026. The most significant changes include legalizing the use of laminated bats in open-age cricket, changing the laws relating to the cricket ball, changing the procedure for stopping play at the end of the day in matches played over more than a day, and a clearer and simpler law covering over throws and misfields.

Also note that it is not that all these changes will be applicable to the series after October 1. Many changes are applicable to the cricket that is already being played as new playing conditions. Many changes have already come in international cricket. This means that some parts of the changes have already started before the new code is officially implemented.

The most important thing for the ICC is that the new laws should be understood and implemented in the same way from those playing cricket at the field level or for entertainment to international cricket. These laws remain the foundation of proper playing of cricket around the world. This makes it necessary for umpires and match officials to implement it in the same manner.

This time ICC has more emphasis on printing books to give information about the new cricket law code and for the first time, it has given the contract to only one company to distribute these books across the world. This contract is with Williams Lee's company TSO (The Stationery Office) and they will distribute cricket law publications worldwide. About India, let us tell you that not only in English and Hindi, books in many other languages ​​of the country will also gradually come into the market.