IPL chief Dhumal: 'Kohli delivers through performances, not reels'
Synopsis
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has publicly called out player distraction by social media, holding up Virat Kohli as the gold standard of tournament focus. The warning lands as the BCCI quietly tightens conduct rules across all 10 franchises — triggered by Arshdeep Singh's viral vlogging controversies, including a clip allegedly showing Yuzvendra Chahal vaping on a team flight.
Key Takeaways
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal urged cricketers on 18 May to prioritise performances over social media reels during tournaments.
Dhumal cited Virat Kohli as an example of a player who 'delivers through performances, not reels.' Arshdeep Singh reportedly received a BCCI warning over behind-the-scenes vlogging content featuring fellow players.
A travel vlog allegedly showed Yuzvendra Chahal vaping on a team flight to Hyderabad ; clips went viral before the video was reportedly edited.
A separate Snapchat clip involving Tilak Varma drew criticism for remarks described by users as carrying racist undertones.
The BCCI reportedly issued fresh conduct and social media guidelines to all 10 IPL franchises earlier in May 2026 .
Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal on 18 May urged cricketers to prioritise on-field performance over social media activity during tournaments, warning that making reels and behind-the-scenes content risks becoming a serious distraction during high-pressure events like the IPL.
What Dhumal Said
Citing star batter Virat Kohli as a model of focus, Dhumal made his position clear. 'Cricketers should focus on realities rather than reels. Take Virat Kohli, for example — despite having a massive social media following, he remains completely focused on cricket when he is on the field. He has delivered results through his performances, not through reels. I feel players should avoid indulging in making reels while a tournament is underway,' the IPL chairman said.
Dhumal acknowledged that social media has become an integral part of modern sport but stressed that players must ensure it does not override their primary commitment during a live tournament.
The Incidents That Prompted the Warning
The remarks follow a string of controversies involving player-generated content during IPL 2026. Fast bowler Arshdeep Singh reportedly drew a warning from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over behind-the-scenes vlogging content featuring fellow players. One travel vlog allegedly showed spinner Yuzvendra Chahal vaping aboard a team flight to Hyderabad; clips from the video circulated widely before the original upload was reportedly edited.
In a separate incident, a Snapchat video featuring Tilak Varma drew criticism online. In the clip, Arshdeep jokingly referred to Tilak as 'andhere' and suggested he apply sunscreen — comments that several users criticised for carrying racist undertones.
BCCI's Broader Directive to Franchises
Earlier in May 2026, the BCCI reportedly circulated fresh operational and security guidelines to all 10 IPL franchises. The advisory covered social media conduct, anti-corruption protocols, smoking and vaping restrictions, and general player behaviour during the tournament — signalling that the board is treating the issue as a systemic concern rather than a series of isolated lapses.
Why This Matters
The IPL has grown into one of the world's most-watched cricket leagues, and players' social media profiles are now commercial assets worth crores. Yet that same visibility creates new risks: a single viral clip can generate controversy that overshadows on-field action and puts franchises and the board on the defensive. Notably, this is not the first time the BCCI has had to address player conduct online — similar advisories were issued in previous seasons, though enforcement details have rarely been made public.
With the IPL 2026 season still underway, all eyes will be on whether franchises translate the board's guidelines into concrete internal policies — and whether players recalibrate their digital habits under the scrutiny.
Point of View
Even approvingly, when addressing conduct issues. Using Kohli as the benchmark sets an almost unreachable standard and implicitly pressures every other high-profile cricketer to justify their digital footprint. More telling is the BCCI's simultaneous circulation of written guidelines to all 10 franchises: that is a structural response, not a one-off comment. The real question is enforcement — past BCCI advisories on player conduct have often gone unverified. If the board does not publish outcomes, the guidelines risk becoming seasonal boilerplate that players and franchises quietly ignore once the controversy fades.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did IPL chairman Arun Dhumal say about social media and cricketers?
Dhumal urged cricketers to focus on on-field performance rather than making reels and behind-the-scenes content during tournaments. He cited Virat Kohli as a player who 'delivers through performances, not reels,' and said players should avoid social media content creation while a tournament is underway.
Why was Arshdeep Singh warned by the BCCI?
Arshdeep Singh reportedly received a BCCI warning over behind-the-scenes vlogging content featuring fellow players during IPL 2026. One travel vlog allegedly showed Yuzvendra Chahal vaping on a team flight to Hyderabad, with clips going viral before the original video was reportedly edited.
What was the controversy involving Tilak Varma and Arshdeep Singh?
A Snapchat video featuring Tilak Varma drew online criticism after Arshdeep Singh jokingly referred to Tilak as 'andhere' and suggested he apply sunscreen — remarks that several users criticised for carrying racist undertones.
What guidelines has the BCCI issued to IPL franchises?
The BCCI reportedly circulated fresh operational and security guidelines to all 10 IPL franchises in May 2026, covering social media conduct, anti-corruption protocols, smoking and vaping restrictions, and general player behaviour during the tournament.
Why is player social media activity a concern during the IPL?
The IPL's massive viewership means player-generated content can go viral instantly, creating controversies that overshadow on-field action and put franchises and the board on the defensive. The BCCI's guidelines reflect concern that personal content creation is becoming a distraction and a reputational risk during the live tournament window.
