The BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit has reportedly increased monitoring on IPL teams after repeated concerns regarding unauthorised visitors in players’ hotel rooms.
Board of Control for Cricket in India has reportedly strengthened its surveillance and disciplinary measures during IPL 2026 after concerns emerged regarding players hosting unauthorised visitors inside team hotels.
According to reports, the BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) became alarmed after an IPL player was allegedly found regularly hosting multiple people inside his hotel room late into the night. The matter reportedly prompted immediate intervention from ACU officials during the tournament.
As per reports, an ACU officer quickly contacted the team manager to seek clarification regarding the repeated meetings. However, the response from the management reportedly failed to satisfy officials.
The report claimed the manager defended the player by referring to his seniority and stature inside the franchise setup.
Former IPL Officials Reveal Repeated Rule Violations
Several former IPL team officials also opened up about the difficulties faced while enforcing regulations regarding player conduct and hotel access during the tournament.
“I am not surprised. At times, the players use their stature within the team to bend the rules. Once I told a player to host his friends in the lobby restaurant, not in his room,” a former official said.
“I told him there are some board instructions on such matters. He just snapped: ‘You don’t worry. I will tell the board (officials) if they ask’,” said a former official, who worked for a long time in the IPL as a team manager.
The report also mentioned another instance where a player allegedly ignored repeated calls from a team official and later returned to the hotel late at night accompanied by a group of friends.
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However, according to the report, the issue was not pursued aggressively because the player was considered close to the franchise owners.
Franchises Introduce Fresh Rules For Players And Families
Following the incidents, IPL franchises have reportedly started issuing stricter instructions to players regarding interactions with friends and family members during the tournament.
Another franchise official explained that players must now seek formal approval before inviting visitors to team hotels.
“Well, I don’t know about such arm-twisting (by players). But we have now given out clear instructions that written or at least verbal permission is required to invite friends and family to the hotel where the team stays.
“I know they also need to meet family and friends. But we have told them not to entertain guests after 10 pm, and such meetings should happen in the lobby or any other public place where the team manager/officials should have ready access,” the official stated.
The report further suggested that franchises are now working towards introducing stricter checks on player movement and hotel access while also trying to avoid unnecessary intrusion into player privacy.
“I agree that sometimes rules are not followed in letter and spirit, or sometimes some exemptions will be given to the players. Now, we are looking to put in place constant checks on the players. But we should also ensure that it’s not an intrusion into their privacy. We will also be in talks with the BCCI as to how to implement this particular rule without any issue,” the official said.
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