BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla announced on 8 May that the board is implementing stricter regulations across all IPL franchises to bolster transparency and security during the tournament. Under the new directives, unauthorised individuals — including fans and outsiders — will be barred from accessing players at team hotels or on team buses, with enforcement beginning within days.

What the new rules mandate

According to Shukla, player access will be tightly controlled under the revised framework. "Unauthorised individuals will not be allowed to approach players, whether at the hotel or on the team bus," he said, emphasising that the measures aim to "ensure that the transparency of the IPL is maintained completely." BCCI Operations Head Saikia stipulated in the directive that no one — regardless of relationship to a player or official — may enter a team member's room without prior approval from the team manager. Team managers are now required to maintain records of all approved guest visits and hotel movements.

Surprise audits and compliance checks

The BCCI will conduct unannounced "surprise checks" to verify strict adherence to the regulatory framework. Saikia noted that "The BCCI / IPL Operations Team may conduct periodic checks to assess adherence to the directives set forth in this Advisory." Franchises found non-compliant face potential sanctions.

Vaping ban and legal consequences

The new guidelines also enforce a strict vaping prohibition. The directive came after Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag was reportedly seen vaping in the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh last month. Saikia warned that use of vapes and electronic cigarettes violates Indian law and BCCI regulations alike. "Any individual found engaging in such conduct within tournament premises is not only violating BCCI and IPL regulations but may also be committing a cognisable offence under the applicable statutory framework," the directive stated.

Owner-player communication curbed

The BCCI has also instructed franchise owners to refrain from communicating with players or coaching staff in the dugout during matches. The measure aims to prevent external pressure or interference during live play.

Broader context: honey-trapping warnings

The seven-page advisory issued to all 10 franchises earlier flagged the risks of targeted honey-trapping — a tactic used to compromise players through social engineering. The comprehensive ruleset reflects growing concerns over player security and conduct during the high-profile tournament.