The Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly concerned about the increasing presence of players' partners during the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season and is considering new regulations to address the issue.
According to reports, players such as Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, and Arshdeep Singh have been frequently seen travelling with their rumoured partners on team buses and accommodating them in team hotels. This trend has reportedly prompted the board to step in, with discussions underway to curb what officials are calling a growing “girlfriend culture” within the league.
A report by Dainik Jagran suggests that the BCCI's concerns extend beyond logistics. Some partners are said to have significant social media influence, and there are fears that certain individuals have previously endorsed betting-related platforms. The board is wary that such associations, along with past instances of personal disputes involving players and their partners — some of which have escalated to police complaints — could harm the image of both the league and the governing body.
A senior BCCI official has indicated that the situation could escalate if not addressed promptly. The official pointed out instances where team movements were delayed due to the presence of players' partners and noted that they were being accommodated in the same hotels as the squads.
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The official also raised concerns about the role of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), claiming that in some cases, partners were allowed to stay with players after being described as “officially announced partners.” “There is no such provision as an ‘official girlfriend' in our rules. Only wives and family members are permitted under defined guidelines. We need to find out who approved this,” the official said.
With many of these partners being prominent influencers, the board is also worried about the potential risk of sensitive information being inadvertently shared, which could impact the integrity of the sport.
The matter is expected to be discussed in the BCCI's upcoming meeting, where stricter protocols regarding player travel and accommodation may be introduced. These proposed guidelines are likely to extend beyond the IPL to include the Indian national team during international tours. While IPL franchises operate independently, the BCCI is aiming to implement a uniform policy that applies across all teams.
Additionally, the ACU is expected to receive more explicit instructions regarding player conduct, accommodation, and travel arrangements moving forward.
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