The BCCI has circulated a seven-page directive to all 10 IPL franchises on 8 May, establishing strict protocols to mitigate the risk of targeted compromise and honey-trapping in high-profile sporting environments. Devajit Saikia, the BCCI official, warned that the board will conduct unannounced "surprise checks" to ensure compliance with the league's regulatory framework.

"The BCCI draws the attention of all Franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be discounted," Saikia stated in the communication to franchises.

Room Access and Guest Management

Under the new directive, no person — irrespective of their relationship to a player or support staff member — is permitted to enter a team member's hotel room without prior written approval from the Team Manager. All guests and visitors must be received exclusively in designated public areas such as the lobby or reception lounge.

"(a) No person, irrespective of their identity, relationship to the team member, or stated purpose, shall be permitted entry into a player's or support staff member's hotel room without the prior knowledge and explicit written approval of the Team Manager," the directive states. Team managers are now required to maintain detailed records of all approved guest visits and hotel movements.

Surprise Audits and Compliance Framework

The BCCI and IPL Operations Team will conduct periodic unannounced checks to assess adherence to the directives. Any breach must be self-reported to the IPL Operations Team or the relevant IPL Venue Team at the earliest opportunity. Franchises found in violation face potential sanctions under the league's regulatory framework.

Vaping Ban and Legal Implications

The directive also reinforced the prohibition on vaping and electronic cigarettes within tournament premises. Last month, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was reportedly observed vaping inside the dressing room during a match against Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh. The BCCI has clarified that vaping is prohibited under applicable Indian law, and individuals found engaging in such conduct may face cognisable offences under the statutory framework.

"Instances of vaping within the dressing room and other restricted areas of tournament venues have been brought to the BCCI's attention. 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," Saikia noted.

Owner Communication During Matches Restricted

The BCCI has also instructed franchise owners to refrain from communicating with players, coaching staff, or team members in the dugout during live match situations. The board flagged instances where owners have attempted to approach, hug, or physically interact with players during matches, stating such conduct "directly contravenes established protocol and may constitute interference with team dynamics and match proceedings."

The seven-page advisory underscores the BCCI's intent to enforce stricter operational discipline across all 10 franchises ahead of the remainder of the IPL 2025 season.