By Admin 
BCCI issues honey trap alert: BCCI has implemented its strictest rules regarding discipline during the Indian Premier League 2026 season. Following reports of protocol violations by Rajasthan Royals players and staff, the board has issued a detailed 8-page Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all 10 franchises. Secretary Devjit Saikia has made it clear that recent incidents have raised questions on the image of the league and now any laxity will not be tolerated.
In this new guideline, maximum emphasis has been given on ‘honey traps’ and security threats. The board’s investigation revealed that some players were inviting outsiders to their hotel rooms without informing the team manager. Now the rules have been made so stringent that no outsider, even if he is a close relative of the player, will be able to enter the room without the written permission of the manager.
Lakshman Rekha has now been drawn even for meetings
Players are under strict instructions to meet any guest only in the hotel lobby or public places. The hotel rooms have been completely declared ‘Private Zone’ so that there is no scope for any suspicious activity or security lapse.
Vaping banned in dressing room
Recently Riyan Parag was caught vaping (e-cigarette) in the dressing room. In view of this, BCCI has made it clear that e-cigarettes or any kind of intoxicant will be completely banned in the tournament venue, hotel and dressing room. The Board has also reminded that the use of e-cigarettes can fall under the category of a cognizable offense under Indian law, hence any violation can be dealt with not only by the BCCI but also by the law agencies.
The franchise management has been entrusted with the responsibility of explaining these rules in detail to each of its members. The board has said in clear words that if the player or staff is found consuming banned substances, he may have to face legal action. This step has been taken keeping in mind the dignity of sports and its impact on the youth.
This strictness of the rules is not limited to players only. Now it will be mandatory for players and staff to take formal permission from security officials (SLO/TIO) before stepping out of the hotel premises. With this, the board will be able to keep a close eye on the movements of every member and protect the players from any untoward incident or outside contact.
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‘No entry zone’ for team owners
Another surprising change is related to the team owners. Often during the matches, the owners were seen excitedly hugging the players or talking on the field, but the BCCI has considered this as a violation of protocol. Now during the match, team owners will neither be able to have physical contact nor directly talk to the players in the dressing room, dugout or playing area. They will have to resort to only authorized channels for communication.
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BCCI has also fixed a timeline to ensure compliance with these rules. All team managers will have to give a briefing to their players within 48 hours and take written acknowledgment from them that they have read and understood the rules. The board has given a clear warning that now any kind of negligence will be considered a serious disciplinary matter.
Players or staff who break the rules may face heavy fines, show cause notices and suspension for the current or next season. In serious cases, BCCI can take action like referring the case to the police. To ensure the dignity and safety of the game, the board will now also inspect and audit the teams from time to time.