The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to tighten rules around unauthorised people travelling with Indian Premier Leagues (IPL) teams after growing concerns over access to team hotels, buses and restricted areas during the 2026 season. The move could directly impact the presence of players’ partners and non-team members frequently seen around franchises this season.
The issue has quietly become one of the biggest talking points off the field during IPL 2026, with several stars including Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan and Arshdeep Singh repeatedly spotted travelling alongside their rumoured partners and staying around team environments.
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Speaking about the issue to ANI, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board had noticed multiple “anomalies and irregularities” involving franchises and players this season.
“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,” he added.
Saikia also stressed that the board had noticed team owners and officials entering areas where access was restricted during matches and team movements.
“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.”
The warning is expected to trigger stricter monitoring around team hotels, dressing room access, accredited travel groups and movement during the rest of IPL 2026.
WHAT IS BCCI’S NEW IPL TRAVEL RULE GOING TO BE?
While the BCCI is yet to officially release the full advisory, the board’s messaging already makes the direction pretty clear.
The focus appears to be on limiting access around players, team hotels, buses, dressing rooms and restricted matchday zones only to officially accredited personnel.
This season, IPL broadcasts and social media clips have repeatedly shown players travelling with close companions and non-team members around franchise setups, something the BCCI now believes risks diluting anti-corruption and security protocols.
The board also seems unhappy with how casually access rules have been treated by certain franchises during travel and hotel stays.
That means stricter accreditation checks, tighter hotel access and more controlled team movements could soon become standard during IPL tours.
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