The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to take strict action against unauthorised personnel travelling with the players in the team
bus in the ongoing 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).
The 2026 IPL has seen a host of off-field controversies, which include Riyan Parag seen vaping in the dressing room and the Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder seen using a mobile phone in the team dugout.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has now claimed that the governing body will take strict measures to maintain the decorum of the tournament by preventing unauthorised people from travelling with the franchise on the team bus and visiting them in the hotels where the players are staying. According to several reports, many players were seen travelling with their significant others.
“There have been some irregularities noticed in the conduct of a few franchises and players. We have observed unauthorised persons travelling with players, including on team buses, and visiting team hotels,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said via The Indian Express.
Saikia also mentioned that the BCCI has observed team owners and other officials getting in touch with the players in unauthorised areas of the cricket ground. This goes against the directive of the BCCI, which was sent to the teams ahead of the start of the IPL, which clearly restricted the entry of players’ close ones within the Player and Match Official Area (PMOA).
“We have also seen that certain team owners and officials are mingling with players in areas where it is not allowed. So there are certain protocols we have to follow, and we have seen there are some dilutions. We have taken this very seriously. We are issuing an advisory, and it will be very strictly followed. If there is any violation hereinafter, then BCCI and IPL will take very stringent action,” he added.
The IPL is currently entering its business end, with a plethora of teams still in with a chance of qualifying for the playoffs. It was recently announced that the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad would go on to host the showpiece final on Sunday, May 31.
