The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a strict crackdown on unauthorised individuals travelling with players during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, amid growing concerns over protocol violations involving franchises and team personnel. The move comes after the board reportedly observed multiple breaches of established travel and security rules, prompting the introduction of tighter regulations ahead of the season’s remaining matches.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board has taken serious note of irregular conduct involving certain franchises and players. He stated that unauthorised persons were being seen travelling in team buses and entering team hotels, which violates established IPL protocols. According to him, the board has identified lapses in discipline and is now preparing to enforce stricter compliance measures across all participating teams.
The new regulations specifically mandate that players must travel only in designated team buses, while access to restricted areas such as dressing rooms, team buses, and the Player and Match Official Area (PMOA) will be tightly controlled. The rules also restrict the entry of family members and friends into these zones before and during matches. Any support personnel beyond approved staff, including net bowlers and throw-down specialists, must be cleared in advance by the BCCI before being granted accreditation.
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Officials said the revised framework is aimed at improving discipline, maintaining professional standards, and ensuring better security during the tournament. On practice days, only accredited staff will be permitted inside dressing rooms and on the field of play, while family members will be allowed to watch sessions only from designated hospitality areas. The board has also instructed franchises to submit detailed lists of extended support staff for verification and approval.
The tightening of regulations comes after IPL 2026 witnessed a few off-field controversies involving players and team officials. One such incident involved Riyan Parag, who was reportedly caught vaping inside the Rajasthan Royals dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings. The franchise has also faced scrutiny after its team manager Ravinder “Romi” Bhinder was filmed using a mobile phone during a match in Guwahati, which later led to disciplinary review by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit.
Following an investigation, Bhinder was cleared of major wrongdoing but was issued a warning and fined ₹1 lakh. The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit concluded that there was no serious violation in the incident. However, the board has reiterated that repeated breaches of conduct will not be tolerated going forward, signalling a stricter enforcement approach as IPL 2026 progresses.
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