Following recent fines imposed on teams and officials, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering tougher measures to ensure IPL teams uphold discipline and protect the league’s image.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated on Saturday that players and officials must adhere to the expected code of conduct to preserve the Indian Premier League’s reputation. He confirmed that the governing body is exploring stricter actions to “rein in” those who violate norms.
Saikia’s remarks came shortly after Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag and team manager Romi Bhinder were penalized for separate incidents during the ongoing IPL season. Parag was fined Rs 25 lakh after being caught vaping on camera, while Bhinder received a Rs 1 lakh fine for using a mobile phone in the dugout, a breach of PMOA protocol.
“In the press release, we made it clear that we are looking at other options to control teams that break the rules,” Saikia told reporters at the BCCI headquarters. “We will take action based on IPL’s terms, conditions, and protocols regarding team behavior.”
He added, “It’s not just about an individual player or official—the entire team must maintain proper conduct so the IPL’s image is never harmed. To ensure that, we must make decisions and we will act.”
In an email announcing the penalty against Parag, the BCCI warned, “The board is also exploring further options to initiate stringent proceedings against the erring team, its officials, and players to protect the IPL’s reputation.”
When asked if Punjab police had contacted the BCCI over Parag’s vaping, given the nationwide ban on e-cigarettes under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019, Saikia replied, “No, there is no such situation.”
Regarding the IPL 2026 playoff venues, Saikia said the announcement would come within two days. “We are working on identifying suitable venues for the playoffs and the final. We’ll take another two days,” he noted.
On the Impact Player rule, Saikia mentioned that no official complaints have been received from teams during the season, which has featured high-scoring games as well as low-scoring encounters. “Some teams are scoring very low totals while others chase 260. It’s a full package,” he said.
He confirmed the rule will be reviewed after IPL 2026. “This discussion has been ongoing for two years. We will review it after the tournament ends; mid-tournament changes are not possible,” Saikia explained. “No team has formally requested a reconsideration of the Impact Player rule. I read about it in the media sometimes, but if teams approach us, we’ll decide. So far, no such situation has arisen.”
On India’s tour schedule, Saikia noted the packed home calendar post-IPL, including a series against Afghanistan and a tour of the UK. “After the UK tour, we will consider the rest of the season,” he said.
IPL 2026 continues with teams vying for playoff spots.