Cricket’s Indian governing body finds itself tightening rules during this year’s IPL season after repeated lapses sparked internal alarms around safety and match integrity. A shift in approach comes not by choice but necessity, one insider explaining how recent events left officials uneasy. Instead of waiting, discussions now unfold between the board and team owners aiming to prevent repeats of past scenes. Order seems harder to maintain than expected throughout the tournament so far. Another quiet confirmation points at widespread breaches piling up behind closed doors. Officials spoke off record late Tuesday, citing growing discomfort over unchecked behavior spreading through the competition. Steps once delayed now move forward under pressure from recurring problems.
A twist unfolded just days following Rajeev Shukla’s statement – then serving as BCCI vice-president – where he revealed plans being drawn up by the board to enforce tighter rules around athlete availability. Access restrictions were taking shape, aimed at blocking unofficial meetings inside lodging spots, on transit vehicles used by squads, along with spaces marked off-limits throughout event duration.
Last week in Lucknow, Shukla explained these steps are meant to boost openness while reinforcing the system that upholds fairness in the league.
“The access that the players have will be controlled; unauthorised people will not be allowed to meet the players, neither in hotels nor on buses, to ensure the transparency of the IPL,” he had said.
Frowning at odd moves by athletes, team bosses, and hangers-on mid-tournament, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia pointed out troubling gaps in how things were run.
Inside the hotel, strangers moved freely – some slipping into rooms meant only for players and staff. Saikia pointed out that these guests weren’t cleared by the league yet still got close to where they shouldn’t be. The board noticed them walking beside team members, stepping through restricted doors without permission. Such access breaks strict IPL rules built to stop corruption before it spreads.
Few franchise figures showed up near athletes in off-limits areas – spots meant to stay clear during event rules. Their presence there did not match what the competition policy allows
So far this season, players have faced penalties more than once. Caught using an e-cigarette in the team area while playing against Punjab Kings, Riyan Parag had 25 per cent of his pay taken away. The incident also added one penalty mark to his record. He leads the Rajasthan Royals. Officials gave the fine and point because rules ban such behavior during games.
A different match saw Rajasthan Royals’ team official Ravinder Singh Bhinder penalized one hundred thousand rupees after being caught with a phone close to the bench area. The event unfolded mid-game versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru, set in Guwahati under watchful eyes of officials.
