BCCI to Crack Down on ‘Girlfriend Culture’ in IPL to Prevent Data Leaks and Corruption

Following recent measures to monitor the movements of substitute players during matches, the Board is now focusing on the presence of players' girlfriends in team hotels and buses, citing concerns over anti-corruption and the leakage of internal team information.

According to internal BCCI sources and various media reports, the frequent presence of high-profile players’ partners—including those associated with stars like Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Arshdeep Singh—at official team locations has drawn the Board's attention. A BCCI official clarified that while there is no objection to players being accompanied by their wives and immediate family members, new restrictions are being formulated specifically regarding girlfriends. The final decision is expected to be ratified in the upcoming Board meeting.

The primary concern for officials is that many of these partners are prominent social media influencers. The BCCI fears that critical team strategies or internal information could be inadvertently leaked online through social media activity. Since IPL franchises operate as private entities, monitoring off-field activities remains a challenge for the Board. These new regulations are intended to empower the IPL's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and ensure the overall transparency and integrity of the league.