Punjab Kings fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been embroiled in controversy after allegedly violating the new BCCI guidelines.
Last week, BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia released a 7-page document outlining rules and guidelines for both franchises and player behavior in IPL 2026.
The new rules banned the movement of “unauthorized” persons within team hotels, barring such people from entering players’ hotel rooms. Players were also banned from leaving the hotel without prior notice.
key points
- Arshdeep Singh sparked controversy after he was seen with alleged girlfriend Samreen Kaur in the PBKS team bus.
- The incident comes soon after the BCCI introduced strict IPL 2026 conduct and access-control guidelines.
- The BCCI advisory reportedly warns teams about “unauthorized persons” and honey-trapping risks.
BCCI warns against honey-trapping
The most attention-grabbing section of the guidelines is arguably the one that warns both teams and players to be alert to any potential honey-trapping. BCCI also sought to restrict the movement of players’ girlfriends with teams.
Saikia said in the advisory, “BCCI draws the attention of all franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping prevalent in high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal charges, including under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be ruled out. IPL franchise management must remain vigilant and proactive at all times to mitigate such risks.”
Arshdeep Singh seen with Samreen Kaur in the team bus
Despite BCCI issuing rules barring players’ girlfriends from traveling with the team, PBKS left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh was seen violating these rules.
In a new viral video, he can be seen traveling in the team bus with his rumored girlfriend Samreen Kaur. The incident has clearly irked the BCCI, which is reportedly not only considering action against Arshdeep Singh, but also issuing new, far more strict guidelines on this specific issue.
Just the board assistant was going as a player in the IPL team, which included BCCAI and key players. After which it was specifically written in the guidelines that you cannot do this. These are videos. Also what is this brokerage news?
-Abhishek Tripathi/Abhishek Tripathi (@abishereporter) 12 May 2026
After all who is BCCI, brother is busy in his love life, after giving guidelines to the team and players, this lover boy is beyond all, unsuccessful on the field but wants to be a hit in the field of love @bcci @IPL @PunjabKingsIPL Any explanation as to how Gf was allowed on the team bus. pic.twitter.com/fMEsrYH8sy
– Vipul Kashyap (@kashyapvipul) 12 May 2026
Early on Wednesday, Punjab Kings had also issued an advisory to the journalists not to indulge in any fake news and not to spread any misinformation.
Criticism, jokes and opinions are part of the game. There are no fake stories and fabricated stories for cheap connections. We urge everyone to verify facts before spreading misinformation to garner attention.
– Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) 12 May 2026
Arshdeep Singh’s form in IPL 2026
Arshdeep Singh may not necessarily be in best form in IPL 2026. All the Punjab bowlers are going through a tough time in the tournament, but Arshdeep has been a ray of hope.
With 13 wickets in 11 matches, he is the highest wicket taker for his team. But his wickets have come at an average of 32 and an economy rate of less than 10 runs per over.
In Punjab Kings’ loss to Delhi Capitals on Monday, Arshdeep Singh was one of the pick of the Punjab bowlers. Even though PBKS failed to defend 210 against DC in Dharamshala, Arshdeep Singh took two wickets and conceded just 21 runs in his four overs.
Also read: CSK names replacement for Ramakrishna Ghosh; Karnataka off-spinner gets first IPL contract
