The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly caught an unnamed IPL player repeatedly hosting unauthorized late-night visitors inside his hotel room. The Anti-Corruption Unit took disciplinary action after the player allegedly violated newly introduced security protocols by the board.
The IPL 2026 season has now entered the final stages of the tournament. Earlier this season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India circulated strict operational guidelines that prohibited players and support staff from allowing private visitors into hotel rooms without prior approval from the team manager.
BCCI Restricts IPL Players From Allowing Guests Inside Hotel Rooms
The player reportedly invited several visitors into his hotel room, violating the BCCI’s strict off-field protocols during IPL 2026. The incident has again raised concerns over whether players are following the board’s recently introduced security guidelines.
The Anti-Corruption Unit questioned the team manager regarding the alleged late-night meetings inside the players’ room. However, reports claimed the manager responded casually and defended the player by pointing to his senior status within the squad.
A former franchise official reportedly said that senior cricketers often use their status within teams to bend administrative rules. The anonymous official recalled once advising a prominent player to meet friends in the hotel lobby restaurant instead of bringing them into his private hotel room.
“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.
Former IPL Manager Admits Senior Players Often Bend Rules
Another former IPL team manager admitted that enforcing the BCCI’s guest-related rules often led to unpleasant confrontations with senior players. The official recalled one incident where a cricketer dismissed the warning and claimed he would deal with board officials if questions were raised later.
“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 BCCI will take stricter action if players continue ignoring the newly introduced protocols during IPL 2026. Officials could consider financial penalties, suspensions, or formal notices, while serious matters linked to corruption or honey-trapping allegations may eventually lead to legal proceedings.
IPL Franchises Continue Facing Challenges Over Player Discipline
The official admitted that tournament rules are not always followed strictly by players and teams. He said that franchises are now considering regular monitoring measures while also discussing with the BCCI how to enforce the rules without affecting 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.
Earlier this season, Riyan Parag was fined 25 percent of his match fee for a dressing-room protocol breach during the Rajasthan Royals (RR) match.
Also read: Delhi Capitals under fire for repeatedly ignoring Prithvi Shaw in disastrous IPL 2026 campaign
from Cricket Addictor https://ift.tt/LQC5wAe
