The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India is reportedly taking a stricter view on players being accompanied by their girlfriends during the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026. Several cricketers, including Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, and Arshdeep Singh, have reportedly been seen travelling with their rumoured partners on team buses and sharing accommodation in team hotels during the tournament.
BCCI is going to set new Guidelines
This trend hasn’t gone down well with the board, which is now working on fresh guidelines to curb what it refers to as “girlfriend culture” within the league. Officials fear that if left unchecked, the situation could escalate into a larger issue affecting discipline and team environment.
Serious concern for Players
As reported, one concern is the growing “influencer” profiles of some partners. There are apprehensions that a few individuals linked to players have previously promoted betting-related platforms on social media. Additionally, past instances of personal disputes between players and their partners, including cases that reached police authorities, have raised concerns about the league’s public image.
Board is not happy with Girlfriend Culture
A senior official pointed out that there have been situations where team schedules were delayed to accommodate players’ partners, including holding up team buses. It was also noted that some Anti-Corruption Unit personnel may have allowed these arrangements after being told the partners were “officially recognised,” something the board says has no basis in its rules.
The official clarified that only spouses and immediate family members are permitted under clearly defined guidelines, and there is no such category as an “official girlfriend” in existing policy. The board now plans to investigate how such permissions were granted in the first place.
BCCI code of conduct
Another layer of concern is the potential risk to sensitive team information. With several partners being active on social media, the board fears that even unintentional leaks could compromise the integrity of the game. The issue is expected to be discussed in the BCCI’s upcoming meeting, where stricter regulations are likely to be introduced. These rules may not only apply to the IPL but could also extend to the Indian team during international tours. Despite franchises operating independently, the board is aiming to implement a uniform policy across all teams to maintain consistency and control.
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