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3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: May 8, 2026 08:55 AM IST
BCCI to take action against unauthorised persons travelling with players in IPL team buses. (CREIMAS FOR BCCI)
The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has flagged the presence of unauthorised persons in team dug-outs during the IPL and more transgressions that aren’t in the public domain. Based on this information, the Indian board has sent an advisory to all teams and a meeting of the CEOs of all franchises has been called this weekend to remind them of the protocol in place even as it decides on the apt action against teams and individuals who have not followed the rulebook.
“There are unauthorised persons travelling in the team bus. There are unauthorised persons in team hotels, and there are some unauthorised persons in the dugout area. … Some people have been spotted in places where they are not supposed to be,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told The Indian Express.
He said that norms and advisory about the conduct of players and teams have been in place since 2008 but they aren’t being followed.
“All these norms and all these advisories are already part of the protocols. But people are becoming casual nowadays, so we are reminding them that if that we will not show any leniency if there’s any violation,” Saikia said.
“All these things we have noticed, an advisory has been done this evening and by Saturday, the IPL CEO will have a meeting with the CEOs of all the franchises either online or physical so that everyone knows the importance of this advisory.”
The former first-class player and lawyer said that they had got inputs from the ACU that was “very proactive, very prompt and very professional.” He added that the watchdog, headed by retired IPS officer Sharad Kumar, had provided them intelligence that was beyond the two incidents officially confirmed by the Indian board.
“We have got all these reports from our anti-corruption unit. We have been very proactive… they have pointed out, we have to take action.”
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Both cases officially acknowledged by the BCCI involve Rajasthan Royals. In the first, their manager was pulled up for using a phone in the dugout, which was against the rules. This was followed by team captain Riyan Parag’s vaping video from the dressing room going viral. After listening to the manager and captain, the BCCI had fined them.
“These incidents are already in the public domain and we have taken action,” Saikia said.
The vaping probe isn’t over and more action can be expected. “We might take further action in the vaping incident as it’s still open… We are not sitting idle. We want everybody to know that these kinds of things will not be tolerated in the IPL or in any BCCI match.
“They have informed us of all these things which may not be in the public domain or in the media, but they have also taken action,” Saikia said.
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In the past, there have been serious wrongdoings by those with access to the team dugouts. The key accused in the 2013 spot-fixing case was Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of then BCCI chief and Chennai Super Kings owner N Srinivasan. The probe found him to be guilty of illegal betting and providing inside information to bookies. He was banned for life from any cricket activities. Meiyappan had been a regular in the CSK dugout.
Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More
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