The BCCI has issued a seven-page advisory to IPL franchises, with the document seen by PTI outlining sweeping anti-corruption, security and conduct measures after a series of protocol breaches during the IPL 2026 season. The new directives introduce tighter controls around player hotel access, owner interactions, team movements and restricted-area conduct, while also warning franchises about “honey-trapping” risks and possible disciplinary action for violations. The move follows mounting concern within the board over repeated irregularities involving players, franchise officials and unauthorised individuals during the tournament.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had earlier indicated that the governing body was preparing formal action while speaking to reporters. “This time, we have observed various anomalies and irregularities in the conduct of certain franchises and players. So, BCCI and IPL are preparing an advisory, and we are going to release that advisory this evening because we have noticed that there are a lot of unauthorised persons who are moving along with the team members.”
#WATCH | Guwahati, Assam: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia says, "This time, we have observed various anomalies and irregularities in the conduct of certain franchises and players. So BCCI and IPL are preparing an advisory, and we are going to release that advisory this evening… pic.twitter.com/JtScEpcpCg
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2026
He also warned that anti-corruption safeguards had already been compromised during the tournament. “And some people who are unauthorised are coming to the hotels and to the players’ rooms or the team officials’ rooms, which is totally against our anti-corruption protocols.”
Saikia added that the board had also identified breaches involving owners and franchise personnel. “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.”
He further warned that the BCCI intended to strictly enforce the new measures going forward. “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.”
Before the advisory was formally issued, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla had also indicated that tighter access-control rules were being prepared for the tournament. “The BCCI is setting up new rules. The access that the players have will be controlled; unauthorised people will not be allowed to meet the players, neither in hotels nor on buses, to ensure the transparency of the IPL.”
#WATCH | Lucknow | BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla says, "The BCCI is setting up new rules…The access that the players have will be controlled; unauthorised people will not be allowed to meet the players, neither in hotels nor on buses, to ensure the transparency of the IPL" pic.twitter.com/SchEB9MsUp
— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2026
BCCI outlines reasons behind advisory
The document stated that the advisory had been issued after repeated disciplinary and protocol concerns during the season. “The advisory has been issued in light of certain incidents observed during ongoing season and is intended to reinforce the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and protocol compliance expected from all stakeholders associated with IPL,” Saikia wrote in the directive, according to PTI.
The advisory further warned about the broader consequences of repeated misconduct. “It has come to the attention of the BCCI that certain incidents of misconduct and protocol violation have occurred involving players and support staff and team officials during the course of the current IPL season. These incidents if left unaddressed, carry the potential to cause significant reputational harm to the tournament, the Franchise concerned and the BCCI as the Governing Body. They may further expose individuals and franchises to legal liability and security risks of serious nature.”
BCCI raises concern over restricted-area access
The advisory places significant emphasis on restricted-area discipline after the board identified repeated instances of franchise officials and owners entering spaces governed by Player and Match Official Access (PMOA) rules. “The BCCI has noted that certain IPL franchise owners have not adhered to the Player and Match Official Access (PMOA) protocols during the course of matches.”
The document further stated: “Specifically, instances have been observed of IPL franchise owners attempting to communicate with, approach, hug, or otherwise physically interact with players and team members during live match situations. Such conduct, however well-intentioned, directly contravenes established protocol and may constitute interference with team dynamics and match proceedings.”
Under the revised measures, franchise owners and representatives will not be permitted to directly access players or officials inside dugouts, dressing rooms or playing areas during matches outside approved channels.
Hotel access and player movement rules tightened
A major portion of the document focuses on hotel access protocols after the BCCI flagged repeated cases involving unauthorised visitors. “It has been observed that certain players and support staff members have permitted unauthorised persons to access their hotel rooms without the knowledge or approval of the concerned IPL franchise Team Manager. In a number of instances, Team Manager was entirely unaware of the presence of such visitors. The practice is strictly prohibited with immediate effect.”
The advisory also introduced mandatory written approvals for guest access. “No person, irrespective of their identity, relationship to the team member, or stated purpose, shall be permitted entry into a player’s or support staff member’s hotel room without the prior knowledge and explicit written approval of the Team Manager. Guests and visitors shall be received exclusively in designated public areas of the hotel, such as the lobby or reception lounge. No guest shall be escorted to private hotel rooms unless the Team Manager has specifically authorised the same in writing.”
The BCCI additionally raised concerns about players and support staff leaving hotels without informing integrity officials. “Instances have been noted of players and support staff leaving team hotels at irregular hours without informing the designated Security Liaison Officers (SLOs) or Team Integrity Officer (TIOs). Such departures create significant security vulnerabilities and expose individuals to risks that cannot be mitigated if the relevant personnel are uninformed.”
All players and support staff will now require clearance from security and integrity officials before leaving team hotels, with movement logs to be maintained and made available to IPL operations officials upon request.
Honey-trap warning forms part of broader security push
The advisory also introduced a direct warning around targeted compromise risks in high-profile sporting environments. “The BCCI draws the attention of all franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be discounted. IPL franchise management must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times.”
The board also informed franchises that compliance audits and room inspections could be conducted during the tournament. “The BCCI / IPL Operations Team may conduct periodic checks to assess adherence to the directives set forth in this advisory. Team managers are required to maintain records of all approved guest visits and hotel movements.”
Saikia added in the document: “Any breach of the aforementioned directives must be self-reported to the IPL Operations Team or the relevant IPL Venue Team at the earliest opportunity. The BCCI trusts that all IPL franchises will treat this advisory with the seriousness it warrants and take all necessary steps to uphold the integrity and reputation of the Indian Premier League.”
Vaping incidents contributed to BCCI intervention
The BCCI’s intervention follows multiple controversies during the season, including the Romi Bhinder dugout-phone incident, where he was fined ₹100,000 (approx. US$1.1k) for using a mobile phone near the dugout during a match, as previously reported by cricexec. The season also saw the vaping controversy involving Rajasthan Royals Captain Riyan Parag, who was fined 25 per cent of his match fee after being caught vaping inside the dressing room, as previously reported by cricexec.
The advisory directly addressed vaping inside tournament environments. “Instances of vaping within the dressing room and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to the BCCI’s attention. It is pertinent to note that the use of vapes and electronic cigarettes is prohibited under applicable Indian law.”
The document added: “Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework.”
The season also saw a separate vaping-related controversy involving Yuzvendra Chahal, as previously reported by cricexec, after social media users speculated over a clip showing the spinner holding an unidentified object and exhaling visible smoke while seated beside Punjab Kings teammate Shashank Singh during team travel.
BCCI warns franchises over disciplinary consequences
The board has made team managers and franchise officials directly responsible for implementing the new measures, including mandatory team briefings, guest-approval systems and accreditation enforcement procedures.
“It has been brought to notice that certain team members have demonstrated reluctance in presenting their accreditation cards for verification when requested by authorised security personnel. This behaviour is unacceptable and constitutes a breach of basic event security protocol,” the advisory stated.
The BCCI also warned franchises that future breaches could trigger severe disciplinary proceedings. “The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council wish to make unequivocally clear that any breach of the directives set out in this advisory shall be treated as a serious disciplinary matter. Non-compliance shall expose the relevant IPL franchise and the individual concerned to proceedings under the applicable provisions of the IPL Regulations, the BCCI Rules & Regulations, and other applicable statutes, as the circumstances may warrant.”
The advisory further stated: “Franchises are strongly advised to take cognisance of this advisory and take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance. The BCCI reserves the right to conduct periodic audits and inspections to ascertain adherence to these directives.”
The advisory places direct responsibility on franchise managements, team officials and players to ensure full compliance with the updated protocols, with the BCCI now expected to closely monitor conduct, access control and security procedures for the remainder of IPL 2026. The document also makes clear that future violations could result in disciplinary action ranging from financial penalties to suspensions under IPL and BCCI regulations.
