Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 The season has seen some protocol violations, such as Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder using a phone in the dugout during the match and then the captain Riyan Parag Taking steam inside the dressing room. Both issues attracted everyone’s attention, and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Both the persons involved were forced to take action by imposing fines. However, BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia promised more action, saying that the governing body will come up with some dos and don’ts to prevent further violations, and he has been true to his word.
On Thursday night, BCCI secretary Saikia issued an eight-page directive to the 10 IPL franchises, and the notification was sent to all the teams, making them aware of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to be followed during the tournament.
The document in the possession of HT Digital clearly outlines the violations reported by the BCCI’s anti-corruption unit during the IPL 2026 season, and all ten franchises have been asked to take precautions.
“The advisory has been issued in view of certain incidents witnessed during the ongoing season and is aimed at reinforcing the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and protocol compliance expected from all stakeholders associated with the IPL. BCCI expects all franchises to take this matter with utmost seriousness and ensure full compliance at all times in the larger interest of the league and the game,” Saikia wrote in the introduction to the advisory.
The introduction is followed by a preamble, in which the franchises clearly state that the recent issues that have emerged are likely to tarnish the league’s image. Saikia wrote in the introduction, “It has come to the attention of the BCCI that there have been certain incidents of misconduct and protocol violations involving players, support staff and team officials during the current IPL season. If these incidents are not addressed, they have the potential to cause significant reputational harm to the tournament, the respective franchises and BCCI as a governing body. They may expose individuals and franchises to legal liability and security risks of a serious nature.”
It said, “The advisory is issued to all franchises with immediate effect, setting out the conduct and compliance standards expected from all personnel associated with IPL teams. The franchise management is directed to ensure that the contents of this advisory are communicated and strictly followed by every member of their team without any exception.”
Beware of honey traps
In the document, the BCCI warned all teams about the potential threat of targeted honey-trapping during the tournament. “It has been observed that certain players and support staff members have allowed unauthorized persons to enter their hotel rooms without the knowledge or approval of the respective IPL franchise team manager. In many cases, the team manager was completely unaware of the presence of such visitors. This practice is strictly prohibited with immediate effect,” the document said.
The issue of unauthorized persons entering the players’ hotel rooms was also raised and the players and support staff have now been directed to:
- No person, regardless of identity, relationship to the Team Member or stated purpose, will be permitted to enter a player’s or support staff member’s hotel room without the prior knowledge and express written approval of the Team Manager.
- Guests and visitors will be welcomed exclusively in designated public areas of the hotel such as the lobby or hotel reception lounge. No guest will be taken to private hotel rooms unless specifically authorized in writing by the Team Manager.
- BCCI draws the attention of all franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey trapping prevalent in high profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal charges under Indian laws applicable to sexual misconduct cannot be ruled out. IPL franchises must remain vigilant and proactive to mitigate such risks at all times.
Unauthorized departure from team hotel
BCCI has also taken note of several players and support staff leaving the team hotel at irregular times without informing the designated Security Liaison Officers or Team Integrity Officers, and hence, players have been directed as follows:
- All players and support staff must inform and obtain approval from the SLO and/or TIO before departing from the team hotel at any time.
- Any planned movement outside the hotel for personal, recreational or any other purpose must be informed to the Team Manager and SLO well in advance of the intended departure.
- The SLO/TIO will maintain a contemporaneous log of all team activities, which will be made available to the BCCI Operations Team upon request.
orders for owners
Following reports that some owners did not follow the Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocols, the BCCI has now urged all team owners to refrain from communicating with players and support staff during IPL games. “Notably, there have been instances of IPL franchise owners attempting to communicate, approach, hug or otherwise physically interact with players and team members during live match situations. Such conduct, although well-intentioned, directly violates established protocols and may interfere with team dynamics and match proceedings,” Saikia wrote in the official communication.
Team owners have now been directed as follows –
- IPL franchise owners and their representatives are strictly prohibited from communicating with or physically entering players or team officials in the dugout, dressing room or playing area during the match, except through specified and approved channels.
- All IPL franchise owner-level access to restricted areas must conform to the PMOA protocols communicated by the IPL Operations Division. Any deviation will be considered a serious violation.
- Franchise management is responsible for ensuring that IPL franchise owners and their associates are fully informed about the protocols in place before each match day.
No vaping and use of banned substances
Although the BCCI secretary did not name Riyan Parag in the official communication, all franchises have been clearly told not to use any banned substance in the team hotel or stadium. It has also been made clear that persons found indulging in such conduct may have to face serious consequences.
“Instances of vaping within the dressing rooms and other restricted areas of the tournament venues have been brought to the attention of the BCCI. It is pertinent to note that the use of vapes and electronic cigarettes is prohibited under applicable Indian law. Any individual found engaging in such conduct within the tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL rules, but may also be committing a cognizable offense under the applicable statutory framework,” the document read.
“Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes and all prohibited substances is strictly prohibited within all IPL tournament venues including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels and practice facilities. Additionally, the team management must ensure that all players and support staff are clearly informed of this prohibition and no such substances are allowed in any team premises during the tournament.”
What should teams do now
BCCI said that the body holds the team manager and/or the authorized person of the franchise jointly and severally responsible for ensuring full compliance with the instructions issued. Team managers have also been specifically directed to conduct a mandatory team briefing within 48 hours of receipt of the latest advice and to obtain a written acknowledgment from each player and support staff member confirming receipt and understanding of the instructions contained herein.
Team Managers have also been asked to implement and maintain a guest approval system for all hotel visits, wherein a written record of each approved guest will be maintained daily. Additionally, a movement log should be maintained in coordination with the SLO/TIO, recording all departures and returns from the team hotel.
consequences of violation
BCCI will also conduct periodic checks of all IPL teams to assess their compliance with the latest instructions. Saikia wrote, “Any violation of the above instructions must be self-reported to the IPL operations team or the respective IPL venue team as soon as possible. BCCI is confident that all IPL franchises will take this advice seriously and take all necessary steps to maintain the integrity and reputation of the Indian Premier League.”
The franchisees have also been ordered to comply with all issued instructions, as violations will be considered a “serious disciplinary matter”. The board can take various actions like issuing show cause notices and imposing financial penalty on defaulters. “Non-compliance will expose the concerned IPL franchise and the individual concerned to proceedings under the applicable provisions of the IPL Regulations, BCCI Rules and Regulations and other applicable laws, as the circumstances may warrant,” Saikia wrote.
“Franchises are strongly advised to take cognizance of this advisory and take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance. BCCI reserves the right to conduct periodic audits and inspections to ensure compliance with these instructions,” he said.
Without prejudice to the generality of the above, the following consequences may be imposed at the discretion of the BCCI/IPL Governing Council –
- Show Cause Notice: Issuance of a formal show cause notice to the franchisee and/or the person concerned.
- Financial penalty: Imposing a financial penalty on a franchise or individual as prescribed under IPL regulations.
- Suspension or Disqualification: Suspension or disqualification of a player, support staff member or team official from the current or upcoming IPL season.
- For legal violations: In cases involving legal violations, including the use of prohibited substances, violations of safety protocols, or conduct amounting to harassment, to refer the case to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
- Other Action: Any other action that the BCCI/IPL Governing Council may deem appropriate in the interest of the tournament and the game.
