IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal Urges Players to Focus on Cricket Over Reels, Cites Virat Kohli

Arun Dhumal has urged cricketers participating in IPL 2026 to focus more on performances on the field rather than social media activity, warning against what he described as an increasing “reel culture” during major tournaments. The Indian Premier League chairman said players must ensure that content creation and online engagement do not distract them from professional responsibilities during high-pressure competitions.

Speaking to IANS, Dhumal cited Virat Kohli as an example of a modern cricket star who has successfully balanced enormous social media popularity while remaining fully committed to his game. Dhumal noted that despite Kohli having one of the largest online followings among athletes globally, the former India captain continues to prioritize cricket during tournaments and lets his performances speak for themselves rather than relying on constant online visibility.

Dhumal stated that players should “focus on realities rather than reels” and suggested that creating behind-the-scenes videos or social media content during tournaments could shift attention away from preparation and match performance. His remarks come at a time when IPL franchises and players have increasingly embraced vlogging, livestreams, and short-form content creation as part of fan engagement strategies across platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.

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The discussion gained momentum after Arshdeep Singh became involved in controversy over social media content posted during the IPL season. Reports claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had warned the Punjab Kings pacer regarding behind-the-scenes vlogs involving teammates. One of the videos allegedly showed Yuzvendra Chahal vaping during a team flight to Hyderabad before the clip was reportedly edited after attracting attention online.

Another controversy emerged after a Snapchat video involving Tilak Varma circulated on social media. In the clip, Arshdeep was heard making remarks about Tilak’s complexion, which several users criticized as racially insensitive. The incident triggered widespread debate online about player conduct, humour, and the responsibilities of professional athletes while using public social media platforms during a major sporting tournament.

Amid the growing scrutiny, reports suggest that the BCCI recently circulated updated operational and security guidelines to all 10 IPL franchises. The advisory reportedly included instructions relating to social media conduct, anti-corruption measures, smoking and vaping restrictions, and general player behavior during the tournament. Dhumal’s comments are now being viewed as part of a broader effort by cricket authorities to encourage professionalism and minimize distractions as the IPL 2026 season enters its decisive final phase.

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