Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh has found himself at the center of another off-field controversy after a video appearing to show his girlfriend, social media influencer and model Samreen Kaur boarding the PBKS team bus surfaced online during the IPL 2026 season.
The footage, reportedly captured after Punjab Kings arrived in Lucknow ahead of their crucial clash against Lucknow Super Giants, has reignited debate around the BCCI’s recently tightened anti-corruption and team conduct protocols.
IS BCCI RULE IS JOKE FOR IPL PLAYERS? 🤯
– Acc to BCCI new Rule family/GF not travel in team bus but Arshdeep singh GF travel with him in team bus 🙄 pic.twitter.com/J7mqA9yIQY
— Sam (@cricsam02) May 21, 2026
The controversy comes just days after the BCCI circulated an eight-page Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document to all 10 IPL franchises amid growing concerns around player security, unauthorized access, and integrity risks during the tournament.
BCCI’s new IPL rules under scrutiny
As of May 2026, the BCCI has enforced stricter travel and access regulations for Indian cricketers, including mandatory use of team buses for all matches and training sessions, while personal vehicles have been banned. The guidelines also prohibit family members, girlfriends, and other unauthorized personnel from traveling with squads or entering restricted team zones.
The new directives reportedly state:
- “Hotel Room Access Restrictions: Guests and family members are strictly banned from entering a player’s or support staff member’s private hotel room without prior written authorization from the Team Manager.”
- “Public Area Meetings Only: Players must meet all unapproved visitors and guests exclusively in public hotel areas, such as the lobby or reception lounge.”
- “Strict Match-Day Zone Barriers: Franchise owners and their associates are prohibited from physically accessing or communicating with players in restricted Player and Match Officials Areas (PMOA), including the dugouts, dressing rooms, and the playing area during a live match.”
- “Travel and Transport Control: Non-accredited individuals are strictly barred from travelling on team buses or staying within designated team blocks at franchise hotels.”
- “Accreditation and Tracking: Players, support staff, and franchise representatives must visibly wear their accreditation cards at all times across all venues. Additionally, any player leaving the hotel at irregular hours must clear it with Security Liaison Officers.”
The rules were introduced following multiple integrity-related concerns during the ongoing IPL season.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had earlier confirmed that the board had noticed multiple “anomalies and irregularities” involving franchises and players during IPL 2026.
Arshdeep’s difficult IPL 2026 season continues
The latest episode adds to what has already been a turbulent IPL campaign for Arshdeep.
Off the field, the India international has faced scrutiny after allegations surfaced earlier in the season claiming that confidential team information may have been shared externally his social posts — accusations that intensified calls for tighter restrictions around player interactions and access.
The emergence of the latest video has now prompted fresh questions over how consistently the BCCI’s newly introduced protocols are being implemented across franchises.
