The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a stern seven-page advisory to all IPL franchises, warning them about the risks of "targeted compromise and honey-trapping" during the league season. The move comes as part of a broader effort to tighten security, access, and behavioural protocols around players, support staff, and even franchise owners.
In the advisory, sent on Thursday night, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia urged teams to remain "vigilant and proactive" at all times, highlighting the potential for "serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct." The warning underscores the heightened risks that come with the high-profile nature of the IPL, where players and staff are constantly in the spotlight.
One of the most significant changes involves strict new rules for hotel room access. Under the new guidelines, no outsider—regardless of their relationship to a player or support staff member—will be allowed into a private hotel room without prior written approval from the Team Manager. Guests must now be received exclusively in designated public areas like the lobby or reception lounge, and any deviation requires explicit written authorization.
The BCCI also expressed concern over players and support staff leaving team hotels at "irregular hours" without informing designated officials. To address this, franchises are now required to maintain strict logs of all departures and arrivals, ensuring that no unauthorized movements go unnoticed.
Franchise owners themselves are not exempt from the new rules. The advisory restricts their interactions with players during matches, limiting them to designated areas and times. Additionally, vaping has been strictly prohibited in all team areas, with severe penalties for violations, including fines and potential suspensions.
These measures reflect the BCCI's commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of the IPL, ensuring that the focus remains on the cricket. For fans and players alike, the message is clear: safety and professionalism are non-negotiable in the world's biggest cricket league.