Published on: May 8, 2026 2:50 pm IST|Updated on: May 8, 2026 2:50 pm IST
IPL 2026 is the biggest cricket carnival of the year. The league is followed across the globe and has grown in stature year after year. Ever since the start of this tournament, the BCCI and IPL committee have always looked after the integrity and protocols of the tournament and have made many necessary changes in regulations to keep the integrity preserved. However, as soon as Riyan Rapag’s vaping video controversy made the rounds in media and social media, fans started pointing out the nobility of the world’s biggest franchise cricket league.
Keeping the same in mind, the IPL governing council, along with the BCCI, has shifted from the cricket pitch to the corridors of security as the BCCI has issued a sweeping, seven-page advisory to all ten franchises. Released on May 7, 2026, the document serves as a “final warning” against a series of protocol breaches that have allegedly “diluted” the professional standards of the league
Central to this crackdown is a chilling warning from the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) regarding the threat of “honey-trapping” and targeted compromise, leading to the immediate implementation of strict hotel and match-day regulations.
According to the communication sent by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, the league has witnessed a surge in “unauthorized persons” gaining access to sensitive team environments. These breaches aren’t just limited to the stadiums; they have penetrated the private sanctuaries of the players: their hotel rooms.
“The BCCI draws the attention of all Franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be discounted. IPL franchise management must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times,” Saikia was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
The advisory highlights that several players and support staff members have permitted guests into their rooms without the knowledge or approval of team managers. In many cases, these individuals were unverified social media influencers or “acquaintances” who bypassed official security layers.
“These incidents, if left unaddressed, carry the potential to cause significant reputational harm to the tournament, the franchise concerned, and the BCCI,” Saikia warned in the document.
In the most serious section of the advisory, the BCCI explicitly draws attention to the risks of “targeted compromise and honey-trapping” that pervade high-profile sporting environments.
Reputational Damage: Beyond the legal aspect, any such scandal could permanently tarnish the “brand equity” of the IPL, which is currently at an all-time high.
To mitigate these risks, the BCCI has laid down a draconian set of rules that every franchise must follow for the remainder of the 2026 season:
No person, regardless of their relationship to the player or staff member, is permitted to enter a hotel room without the explicit written approval of the team manager. Guests must be received exclusively in public areas like the hotel lobby or reception lounge.
All players and staff must now inform the Security Liaison Officer (SLO) and the Team Integrity Officer (TIO) before leaving the hotel at any hour, day or night. All departures and returns must be recorded in a formal “Movement Log.”
The BCCI and IPL operations task force have reserved the right to conduct surprise checks of hotel rooms. Any unauthorized presence found during these raids will result in immediate disciplinary action against both the player and the franchise.
The advisory also took a swipe at franchise owners. Observations were made of owners attempting to physically interact with players, including hugging or communicating in the dugout during live match situations. Such interactions are now strictly prohibited except through designated, pre-approved channels to ensure match integrity is not compromised.
The crackdown follows a string of controversies, including the highly publicized incident where Riyan Parag was reportedly caught vaping in the dressing room.
The new SOPs explicitly ban vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances across all tournament venues, including team hotels and practice facilities. The BCCI clarified that vaping in these areas is not just a league violation but may be treated as a cognizable offense under the Indian legal framework.
“Instances of vaping within the dressing room and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to the BCCI’s attention. 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 tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework.“Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels, and practice facilities. Furthermore, the team management must ensure that all players and support staff are unequivocally informed of this prohibition and that no such substances are permitted within any team premises during the tournament.”
“Instances of vaping within the dressing room and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to the BCCI’s attention. 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 tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework.
“Accordingly, the use of vapes, e-cigarettes, and all prohibited substances is strictly banned within all IPL tournament venues, including dressing rooms, dugouts, team hotels, and practice facilities. Furthermore, the team management must ensure that all players and support staff are unequivocally informed of this prohibition and that no such substances are permitted within any team premises during the tournament.”
The BCCI has made it clear that the era of “gentle reminders” is over. The penalties for breaching these new directives range from heavy financial fines to immediate suspension or even disqualification of the individuals involved.
Franchise CEOs have been directed to convene a mandatory team briefing within 48 hours to communicate these rules. As the IPL 2026 enters its business end, the focus has shifted from the “Gentleman’s Game” to a rigorous regime of surveillance and discipline, ensuring that the integrity of the world’s richest cricket league remains uncompromised.
Tags: IPL 2026