BCCI mulls strict action after anti-corruption concerns emerge in IPL 2026

The BCCI is preparing to crack down on multiple Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) franchises after the tournament’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) flagged repeated violations of security and access protocols during the season.

From unauthorised individuals inside team hotels and dugouts to unidentified guests travelling on team buses, the issue has now escalated enough for the board to prepare a formal advisory. The board is unhappy with several social media influencers’ involvement in the league. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed that the ACSU has already submitted a report to the BCCI highlighting several concerns.

“The Anti-Corruption and Security Unit has flagged certain anomalies and submitted a report about unauthorised persons being seen in dugout, team bus and team hotel during IPL matches,” Dhumal told PTI. “There are certain protocols under PMOA that need to be followed and the BCCI will be telling the franchises to be mindful of the SOPs so that the sanctity of the tournament is restored.”

The Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) is considered one of the most tightly regulated spaces during IPL matches. Entry is restricted only to accredited players, support staff, officials and approved personnel under anti-corruption guidelines.

However, according to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, several “irregularities” have been observed this season.

“This time, we have observed various anomalies and irregularities in the conduct of certain franchises and players,” Saikia told ANI. “So BCCI and IPL are preparing an advisory, and we are going to release that advisory because we have noticed that there are a lot of unauthorised persons who are moving along with the team members. And some people who are unauthorised are coming to the hotels and to the players’ rooms or the team officials’ room, which is totally against our anti-corruption protocols.”

Team owners, influencers and unidentified guests under scanner

The BCCI is also understood to be unhappy with the increasing presence of influencers and non-accredited individuals around IPL teams during the tournament.

“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. 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.”

One BCCI source told PTI that younger players inviting unidentified women into team hotels had also become a concern for the ACSU.

“The wives are not the problem but some of the cash rich younger IPL players are inviting unidentified women in the room and it has not escaped ACU official’s attention. In fact at times these are random women who are being introduced as girlfriends and are travelling on team buses reserved for families. There are chances that the naive ones could be honey trapped. Some strict rules especially on girlfriends will be there in SOPs.”

The IPL has already witnessed multiple off-field controversies this season. Romi Bhinder, mentor of Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, was fined INR 1 lakh after being spotted using a mobile phone inside the dugout during a match. Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was also fined 25 per cent of his match fees after being caught vaping during a game against Punjab Kings.

Punjab Kings spinner Yuzvendra Chahal too appeared in a social media clip allegedly using a vape during a flight, although the post was later deleted. Also, there was an instance when Kagiso Rabada was seen smoking a cigarette at the Gujarat Titans (GT) team hotel. These are commonly known controversies that managed to pop up on cameras. In reality, there would be countless episodes of violations that have taken place in the backdrop of the IPL.

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