BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Thursday signalled a crackdown on protocol breaches across Indian Premier League franchises, citing multiple instances of unauthorised personnel accessing team environments and players in violation of anti-corruption safeguards. The Board and IPL governing body are set to release an advisory this evening targeting what Saikia termed "anomalies and irregularities" observed during the ongoing season.

What violations have surfaced

Saikia detailed unauthorised individuals travelling in team buses, entering team hotels without clearance, and accessing player and official rooms without permission. He also flagged team owners and officials entering restricted areas including dugouts — spaces meant to preserve team environment integrity. "This is completely against our anti-corruption protocols," Saikia said, emphasising that such breaches undermine the sanctity of team operations.

Recent high-profile incidents

Rajasthan Royals faced two separate violations last month. Team manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh and issued a stern warning for using a mobile phone in the dugout during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati. Subsequently, Royals captain Sanju Samson was reportedly spotted vaping inside the dressing room during the game against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh. Both incidents underscore the protocol erosion the BCCI now aims to reverse.

The enforcement shift

Saikia made clear that the Board's tolerance threshold has narrowed. "We are issuing an advisory, and it will be enforced very strictly. If there is any violation hereafter, the BCCI and IPL will take very stringent action. Whoever the violator may be, we will not spare anybody," he stated. This marks a departure from past handling of such infractions, signalling that both franchises and individual players face equal accountability.

Why this matters

IPL's credibility hinges on operational integrity and the enforcement of anti-corruption measures. Unauthorised access to team spaces creates audit gaps and potential vectors for match-fixing or information leakage. The advisory is expected to redefine access hierarchies and tighten monitoring at team hotels, buses, and match venues.

What comes next

The BCCI advisory is expected to be released on Thursday evening, with enforcement beginning immediately. Franchises will likely be required to submit compliance certifications. Any future breaches invite disciplinary proceedings that could extend to fines, suspensions, or points deductions for teams, and bans for individuals.