The BCCI plans to take “some” action against franchises that breach IPL 2026 norms, board secretary Devajit Saikia said on Saturday. He pointed to two recent incidents involving Rajasthan Royals, where team personnel and the captain were both caught in moments that drew scrutiny.
In the ongoing season, RR came under the spotlight first after team manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder was seen using his phone near the dugout during a match. Later, captain Riyan Parag was reportedly caught vaping inside the dressing room during another game.
Quick facts
- Devajit Saikia said the BCCI will take “some” action against teams violating IPL 2026 norms.
- Rajasthan Royals’ Ravinder Singh Bhinder was fined INR 1 lakh.
- Riyan Parag was docked 25% of his match fees and received a demerit point.
- Saikia made the remarks in Mumbai during India’s squad announcement for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Bhinder was slapped with a fine of INR 1 lakh, while Parag faced a harsher sporting penalty—25% of his match fee was deducted. Parag also received a demerit point following the incident.
Speaking in Mumbai alongside the announcement of India’s squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Saikia said the board is looking at additional ways to ensure franchises comply. “We are exploring some other options about how to bring the teams which are violating the norms,” he added.
He further explained that the BCCI is reviewing the competition’s framework and how behaviour rules are enforced. “We will be taking some action. We are looking at the various terms and conditions and protocols of IPL [around] how the teams behave,” Saikia said.
Sakia also addressed the handling of the Bhinder case, noting that the anti-corruption unit was informed about the nature of the breach. Bhinder told the BCCI anti-corruption unit that the violation was inadvertent and had issued an apology before the fine was imposed.
Decorum and team responsibility
Saikia stressed that disciplinary standards extend beyond just players and match officials. “It is not just players or officials,” he said. “As a team they have to maintain some decorum so that the image of the IPL is never adversely affected. To ensure that we have to take a call and we will be taking some action.”
Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara had recently indicated that both matters were addressed by the BCCI and the franchise. He said the squad “always try to have a very positive healthy culture” within the team.
