DDCA hosts MCC Laws of Cricket workshop for umpires ahead of October 1 changes
Synopsis
With MCC's new Laws of Cricket taking effect on 1 October, the DDCA became the first association to host a formal MCC workshop in India — complete with the launch of the Laws app in Hindi. The multi-language app and the hands-on session signal a deliberate push to mainstream cricket's rulebook beyond the English-speaking elite.
Key Takeaways
DDCA hosted an MCC Laws of Cricket workshop in New Delhi on 30 September 2026 , led by Fraser Stewart and Jonny Singer .
New Laws come into effect on 1 October , covering changes to ball specifications, bat types, and the final over rule.
Type D laminated bats will be permitted in most adult cricket under the updated Laws.
The MCC Laws of Cricket app was launched in Hindi , with support for Urdu, Bengali , and Kannada among other Indian languages.
The New Delhi event is part of MCC's broader India tour, with workshops also scheduled in Ahmedabad , Kolkata , and Bengaluru .
The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, hosted a special Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket workshop for its umpires in New Delhi, with the new edition of the Laws set to come into effect from 1 October. The session was led by MCC Head of Cricket Fraser Stewart and Jonny Singer, who walked participants through the key amendments, practical video examples, and an interactive question-and-answer session.
Key Changes Under the New Laws
The updated Laws introduce tighter size and weight tolerances for cricket balls used in women's and junior cricket. Type D laminated bats will now be permitted in most adult or open-age cricket, subject to the regulations of the relevant governing body. Notably, the final over of the day will now be completed even if a wicket falls, provided playing conditions remain fit. The revised Laws also provide greater clarity on running, boundary catches, overthrows, dead ball situations, and dismissals.
MCC Laws of Cricket App Launched in Hindi
A significant development at the workshop was the launch of the MCC Laws of Cricket app in Hindi, aimed at making the Laws more accessible to India's vast cricketing community. The app is available in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Kannada, enabling officials, players, fans, and viewers to better understand the updated Laws in their preferred language.
What the Organisers Said
Fraser Stewart, Head of Cricket at MCC, underlined the importance of the hands-on format. 'We are delighted to be in Delhi and to engage with the DDCA's umpires ahead of the new Laws coming into effect on October 1. The practical nature of the session allowed us to discuss the changes and how they will apply on the field,' he said. Stewart added: 'We are also very pleased to launch the MCC Laws of Cricket app in Hindi, helping make the Laws more widely available for everyone who follows and loves this sport deeply in India.'
DDCA President Rohan Jaitley emphasised the foundational importance of the Laws. 'The Laws of Cricket form the foundation of how the game is played and officiated. As the new changes come into effect on October 1, it is important for our umpires to have a clear understanding of the changes and their practical application,' he said. Jaitley called the opportunity for umpires to interact directly with Stewart and Singer 'invaluable', and described the Hindi app launch as a 'welcome step towards making the Laws more accessible to a wider cricketing community in the country.'
DDCA Director Shyam Sharma said the initiative would help the Association's umpires align their officiating with global standards, adding that the DDCA would continue to pursue similar programmes with the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and other boards to strengthen officiating standards in Delhi cricket.
Part of a Wider MCC India Tour
The New Delhi workshop is part of a broader MCC India visit, with similar engagements planned in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. The outreach reflects MCC's intent to ensure umpires and officials across Indian cricket are fully equipped ahead of the 1 October implementation date. As the custodians of the Laws of Cricket, MCC's direct engagement with associations like the DDCA represents a continued push to elevate officiating standards at the grassroots and state levels.
Point of View
Perhaps belatedly, acknowledging that cricket's rulebook has long been inaccessible to the majority of the sport's participants in its largest market. Whether this multilingual push translates into better-officiated grassroots cricket depends on adoption at the district and club level, where awareness of Law changes has historically been patchy. The broader India tour — covering Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru — is the right scale of engagement, but a one-day workshop per city ahead of a same-week implementation is a tight runway. The BCCI and state associations will need to sustain this momentum well past October 1.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What new Laws of Cricket come into effect on 1 October 2026?
The new MCC Laws of Cricket, effective 1 October 2026, introduce tighter size and weight tolerances for balls in women's and junior cricket, permit Type D laminated bats in most adult cricket, and require the final over of the day to be completed even if a wicket falls. They also clarify rules on running, boundary catches, overthrows, dead ball situations, and dismissals.
Why did the DDCA host an MCC workshop for umpires?
The DDCA hosted the workshop to ensure its umpires fully understand the practical implications of the new Laws before they take effect on 1 October. The session included video examples and a live Q&A with MCC officials Fraser Stewart and Jonny Singer.
What is the MCC Laws of Cricket app and which Indian languages does it support?
The MCC Laws of Cricket app is a digital tool that makes the official Laws accessible to players, officials, and fans on mobile devices. It is available in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Kannada, and was formally launched in Hindi at the DDCA workshop on 30 September 2026.
Which other Indian cities is MCC visiting as part of this initiative?
Beyond New Delhi, MCC's India tour includes similar workshops in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, as part of a wider outreach to prepare umpires and officials across India for the October 1 Law changes.
Who led the MCC workshop at the DDCA?
The workshop was led by Fraser Stewart, MCC's Head of Cricket, and Jonny Singer. Both are senior MCC officials responsible for educating the global cricketing community on Law changes.
