BCCI announces strict action against ‘Girlfriend culture’ in IPL 2026 amid alleged betting links
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to implement a rigorous new advisory during IPL 2026 following several protocol violations, including unauthorised access to restricted zones and rising anti-corruption concerns.
New Advisory Targeting Disciplinary Lapses
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that an advisory is being prepared for release to address the presence of unauthorised individuals, including players’ girlfriends and social media influencers, accompanying teams. This decision stems from a series of security breaches and accreditation issues that have occurred throughout the current season.
During a press address, Saikia explained that the board noticed a decline in the strictness of security and anti-corruption measures within certain franchises:
“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. 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. 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.”
Concerns Over “Girlfriend Culture” and Betting Links
The BCCI has been closely monitoring the trend of players being accompanied by partners and influencers. While the board typically allows immediate family members to stay with players, there are significant worries regarding girlfriends and influencers who have previously been linked to promoting betting applications on social media. The board fears these interactions could lead to the leaking of sensitive match information or compromise the integrity of the league.
Preceding Incidents in IPL 2026
This crackdown follows several high-profile disciplinary cases earlier in the season:
Romi Bhinder (Rajasthan Royals Team Manager): Fined ₹1 lakh for using a smartphone in the dugout, a violation of PMOA (Players and Match Officials Area) protocols.
Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals Captain): Penalized 25 percent of his match fee and issued a demerit point after being caught vaping inside the dressing room during a game against Punjab Kings.
The upcoming advisory is intended to restore order by tightening rules regarding hotel movements, player access, and general conduct to protect the reputation of the Indian Premier League.
