The BCCI is all set to introduce new, strict guidelines regarding player and team behavior in IPL 2026. Last week, Board Secretary Devjit Saikia had informed all the franchisees about the new guidelines that the franchisees will have to follow.
Reportedly, there have been several violations of the new rules which have not gone down well with the BCCI. In its previous advisory, the board had sought to curb the movement of certain “unauthorized” persons within the team. He also specified rules of conduct during matches for the owners of IPL teams.
The BCCI also wanted to end the ‘girlfriend culture’, where partners of many players were seen traveling with them in the team bus or in hotels after hours.
Apart from this, there were some other controversies when Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was found vaping in the dressing room. In another match, RR team manager Romi Bhinder was using a cellphone in the dugout.
IPL franchises have also cut down on vlogging and reel-making by players after Punjab Kings leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was seen vaping in a vlog.
BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia has, among other things, warned teams against honey-traps
In the original advisory, Devjit Saikia had warned teams to be cautious of any honey-trap. He also specified some guidelines regarding the conduct of IPL team owners and players leaving their hotel rooms during matches.
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.”
He also said that no player is allowed to leave his hotel room without prior notice and approval.
“Instances have been observed of players and support staff leaving the team hotel at irregular times without notifying the designated Security Liaison Officers (SLOS) or Team Integrity Officer (TIO). Such departures create significant security vulnerabilities and put individuals at risk that cannot be mitigated if the relevant personnel are not aware,” Saikia said.
Also read: Arshdeep Singh ignored BCCI’s order, seen with Samreen Kaur in the team bus during IPL 2026
“BCCI is bringing new rules”- Rajeev Shukla
After the first advisory report came out, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla spoke to journalists in Lucknow last week and clarified BCCI’s stand on the issue.
He had said, “Players’ access will be controlled; unauthorized people will not be allowed to meet the players, neither in hotels nor in buses, to ensure transparency of the IPL.”
BCCI is all set to bring new, strict guidelines
A board source has now noted that the previous advice did not have the desired effect. According to the BCCI, there have been multiple violations of both security and anti-corruption protocols.
“We have been forced to issue guidelines this season of the IPL. We have seen several incidents that make the board uncomfortable. We are in talks with the IPL franchises to ensure that no untoward incident happens again. There has been a lot of indiscipline in this IPL,” a BCCI source told ANI on Tuesday.