After two months of nonstop action, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 wrapped up with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifting the trophy for a second straight year. As has become common in recent seasons, the tournament was packed with moments that kept everyone talking—both on the field and behind the scenes. Midway through the competition, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia intervened to introduce fresh measures after a run of incidents drew criticism during the 19th edition.
The first trigger involved Rajasthan Royals’ dugout behaviour during their match against RCB in Guwahati. Romi Bhinder, the Royals’ manager, was reported for using a mobile phone in the dugout during play. A few days later, the focus shifted to the dressing room, where Royals captain Riyan Parag was found vaping. Both were penalised, but Saikia’s response went further: he circulated an eight-page guideline document aimed at the franchises, cautioning them about possible honey-trapping risks and other protocol-related concerns.
Alongside the controversy management, workload planning became another major talking point throughout the league phase. Several pundits debated whether players should continue appearing for their franchises in all 14 matches even after their teams were already out of playoff contention. Still, amid the noise, one batter stood out clearly enough to capture the imagination of the wider cricket public—Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who finished the tournament with the Orange Cap after scoring 776 runs.
As the 19th edition’s final dust settled, Saikia sat down for a discussion on Sooryavanshi’s rise and the logistical challenges of staging IPL 2026. The conversation also touched on the start of the tournament, which went ahead as scheduled despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia connected to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Saikia was also asked why the new guidelines were introduced and whether social media has become too intrusive—specifically, if reel culture is something the sport should worry about.
“The whole tournament went off seamlessly”
When Saikia was asked how he viewed the IPL 2026 season overall, he pointed to the tournament’s smooth execution. He acknowledged that there was plenty of chatter online about television ratings dropping, but said there was no real cause for alarm because the event completed without disruption. He contrasted the campaign with the previous year, when the tournament had been suspended due to the Pahalgam attack, noting that this season—though there was early hesitation because of the Middle East crisis—ultimately progressed without issues.
On viewership, he explained that the board did not have comparable figures for every other platform. He said that if there was any slight decline in linear television viewing, digital platforms would likely show a compensating rise, and that the final assessment would come once complete data is available. He also argued that any such movement does not change the overall popularity of the IPL, insisting that the league and the final stretch were delivered with strong momentum.
Saikia highlighted the uncertainty in the playoff race as proof of the competition’s depth. He recalled that three teams were effectively competing for the final spot, and even as the season reached the last league match, no one could be certain how things would land. For him, that unpredictability underlined the franchise league’s competitiveness, with relatively small gaps between most sides, apart from a couple of teams at the bottom of the table.
He added that fans clearly remained deeply involved. Saikia referenced the crowd at the prize distribution, saying supporters stayed in the stands well past midnight and that the ceremony took place roughly 45 minutes after the match ended. In his view, that turnout reflected both the intensity of the competition and the level of engagement across venues and screens, reinforcing the idea that the IPL continues to grow year after year and build on previous benchmarks.
Guidelines on honey-trapping and staying inside protocol
Asked about the eight-page advisory issued to all franchises, Saikia said the action began after the anti-corruption unit flagged several smaller issues that could have escalated into a major controversy later. He described the decision as a “nip it in the bud” approach, explaining that once the board received status reports on violations of IPL protocols, advisories were issued to pre-empt foul play related to movement and conduct around the tournament.
He said the teams responded well to the guidance. He also mentioned speaking to the anti-corruption team the previous day, describing their reaction as positive and crediting the document as a helpful addition to the tournament’s structure and compliance. The focus, he said, was ensuring a well-run competition with adherence to the rules governing IPL activity.
Saikia was then asked about concerns over social media content and the prevalence of reels during IPL 2026. He said he was not personally worried about social media as a trend, arguing that technology and popular formats change over time and that the sport has had to adapt. He pointed out that when the league began in 2008, social media wasn’t part of the equation in the same way, but now it is—and the board needs to adjust accordingly.
However, he stressed that the issue is not about the existence of social media itself, but about boundaries. In his words, content makers and visitors must not intrude into team meetings or team activities, or travel onto buses and into areas where unauthorised people are not supposed to go. Saikia said the board’s concern is ensuring social media does not cross the line into restricted spaces, while still allowing the trend to grow within the protocol framework.
Sooryavanshi, national selection and the next scheduling challenge
When discussing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s breakout impact, Saikia called him a new wonder talent in Indian cricket and expressed confidence that he would attract attention at a global level. He pointed out that selectors are actively watching matches closely, with many often present at venues. He said that during upcoming selection meetings for India’s UK trip, selectors would do what is necessary in the player’s best interest based on the level of performance shown in the tournament.
Saikia acknowledged that others also had strong seasons, but insisted that Vaibhav’s showing stood out. He framed the rise as a timely arrival of a new star for Indian cricket and said he expects the youngster to expand his reach soon.
Another question raised scheduling and expansion: whether the number of IPL matches could increase to 94 in the coming years. Saikia said the board is not treating the idea as a serious priority right now. He noted that, as in earlier seasons, IPL has typically stretched beyond two months, and in 2026 it ran for two months and two days. He recalled that last year included an extension due to a one-week suspension.
He said the only immediate concerns relate to conditions at venues as the tournament continued through 31 May. Some grounds, he said, were showing signs of rain or dealing with high temperatures. Because of this, Saikia suggested the board could explore moving the tournament earlier by about 15 days. He pointed out that IPL 2026 started around March 28, and the board is working toward beginning closer to March 15, with an aim to finish by May 15 so that heat and rain do not create discomfort or risk for players and spectators.
He underlined that fan experience matters, especially when matches are played under hot sun in certain locations. Even so, Saikia said he could not promise at this moment that the league will expand from 74 matches to 94, stressing that multiple factors affect the decision. These include the FTP calendar as well as the participation of other nations in bilateral and multinational events governed by the ICC. He concluded that any bigger change would be clearer after 2027.
Finally, Saikia addressed the ongoing debate about player workload management during the IPL. He acknowledged that he had previously said the BCCI cannot control everything during the tournament because franchises hold day-to-day responsibility for their squads. He explained that the board’s technical fitness personnel monitor players—including those under contract and those on the fringe of the national setup—but they do not micromanage training during the franchise-controlled period.
He said the players receive a general routine and fitness regime planned in advance, with detailed programmes set well before the IPL begins. For players who have a realistic chance to represent India, Saikia said they understand what they must do and what they must avoid. He added that their do’s and don’ts, as well as standard operating procedures, fall within the board’s overall framework, and that players follow them. At this stage, he said the board can only confirm that monitoring and preparation are in place, while respecting that the franchise cycle governs the two-month window.
