The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sounded the alarm over serious security and anti-corruption breaches during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. In a stern move, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced on Thursday that a formal advisory will be issued to all franchises, following the discovery of multiple "anomalies and irregularities" that threaten the integrity of the tournament.
At the heart of the BCCI's concern are reports of unauthorised individuals gaining access to team hotels, moving freely with squads, and even entering players' and officials' rooms—a direct violation of the league's anti-corruption protocols. Saikia also highlighted instances where franchise owners and team officials were seen interacting with players in restricted areas, further blurring the lines of compliance.
"We have noticed that there are a lot of unauthorised persons moving along with team members," Saikia told reporters. "Some are coming to hotels and entering players' or officials' rooms, which is totally against our protocols. We've also seen team owners and officials mingling with players in areas where access is not allowed. This is a serious matter."
The BCCI and IPL governing body are now preparing a strict advisory to reinforce tournament rules, with a clear warning that any further violations will result in "very stringent action." The advisory is expected to be released later today, putting franchises on notice to tighten their security and access controls immediately.
This crackdown comes amid other off-field incidents, including Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag being seen smoking an e-cigarette in the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings. While separate, such moments underscore the need for heightened discipline and professionalism across the league.
For fans and followers of the IPL, these measures are a reminder that the spectacle on the field relies on a strong, secure foundation behind the scenes. As the tournament heats up, the BCCI is making it clear that no breach—big or small—will be overlooked.
