The BCCI is preparing to tighten disciplinary rules and access controls for the ongoing Indian Premier League season after multiple episodes have sparked fresh worry at the board level about security lapses and breaches of anti-corruption procedures. “We have to put in place guidelines for this IPL. We’ve seen a number of incidents that have left the board uncomfortable. We are also speaking with the franchises so that nothing improper happens again,” a BCCI source said on Tuesday.
The move follows closely on the heels of comments made earlier by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, who said the board is working on updated regulations intended to manage player movement and limit contact with unauthorised persons. These restrictions are expected to cover interactions in hotels, team buses, and other locations identified as secure areas throughout the tournament.
Shukla had outlined the purpose of the new measures during a discussion in Lucknow last week, stating that the intent is to improve transparency and reinforce the league’s integrity framework. He emphasised that player access will be controlled and that people without permission will not be allowed to meet players either in team hotels or on buses, to maintain the transparent functioning of the competition.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also flagged concern about what he described as irregularities involving players, franchise representatives, and outsiders during the tournament. Saikia said the board noticed several instances where unauthorised individuals were seen accompanying team members, entering team hotels, and even reaching areas where players and officials are based—behaviour considered to be in direct conflict with the IPL’s anti-corruption guidelines.
Saikia further added that, in some cases, franchise owners and officials were found interacting with players in restricted sections where such meetings are not permitted under tournament regulations.
With the current season already featuring disciplinary actions, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag received a fine equal to 25% of his match fee and was also issued a demerit point after he was caught vaping while inside the dressing room during the team’s match against Punjab Kings.
In another case, Rajasthan Royals team manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder was fined Rs 1 lakh for using a mobile phone near the dugout during a game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati.
