BCCI preparing to impose strict rules on girlfriend culture amid IPL 2026

Amid the IPL 2026 season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to impose a strict rule regarding the 'Girlfriend Culture'. In recent times, multiple players are seen spending time with their girlfriends publicly, and reportedly staying together in hotel rooms as well, which might have raised concerns about security.

According to Dainik Jagran, the board is planning to impose strict rules on the ongoing 'Girlfriend Culture' to avoid any kind of unnecessary situations in the future. It is claimed that this culture has increased the risk of leaking internal matters outside.

BCCI is likely to impose strict rules

Before enforcing any rules, the board officials have been in talks with the Anti-Corruption Unit as well. Multiple star cricketers like the Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya and the Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh have been spotted with their respective girlfriends publicly. If the reports are to be believed, then this could be one of the major topics in BCCI’s next meeting.

It is made clear that the matter is not for the wives or the family members of the cricketers in the Indian Premier League. The board has no issue with cricketers staying with their wives or with their family members in hotel rooms. The issue is only with their girlfriends.

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Abhishek Tripathi, a Dainik Jagran journalist, explains the development through an ‘X’ post on May 4.

“BCCI Preparing to Enforce Strict Rules on 'Girlfriend Culture'. Several Cricketers Spotted with Their Girlfriends at IPL Matches. BCCI wants to set rules before any major blunder. The risk of Internal Matters Leaking Out Has Increased. Many Unknown Players Are Also Roaming Around with Their Girlfriends. Some Are Staying in Hotels with the Players, While Others Are in the City to Watch Their Matches, Followed by Brief Meetups Between the Two Later. Among Them Are Several Influencers Who Have Previously Promoted Betting (Gambling) Websites. Recently, Several IPL Players Have Also Faced Police Cases Filed by Their Female Companions,” the ‘X’ post reads.

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“A BCCI Official Said We Are Discussing This Internally. This Will Be Discussed in the Next BCCI Meeting. There's No Issue with Wives and Family Members Staying in Hotels with Players, but the Girlfriend Situation Will Require a bit more seriousness. Quite Some Time Ago, Girlfriends Were Not Allowed to Stay in Players' Hotels During IPL, But Now This Has Become a Trend. The Official Said That When I Spoke to an IPL Anti-Corruption Unit Officer About This, He Told Me That We Have Been Instructed to Allow Wives and 'Officially Announced Girlfriends' to Stay Together. Expressing Surprise, the BCCI Official Asked the ACU Officer Where This Rule of " officially announced girlfriend " came from, to which the ACU Officer Replied, "Sir, we're Just Doing It Like That,” it further claims. 

New rule for Team India as well?

It is further mentioned that this can be implemented for Team India as well in the future. Though nothing is finalized yet, the matter is in process.

“It's Certain That BCCI Will Now Introduce Strict Rules Regarding Whether Girlfriends Can Stay or Not. These Rules Will Also Be Implemented in the Next IPL Season. Whether This Will Apply to the Indian Team or Not Remains to Be Seen. However, the Official Says It Will Have to Be Applied with the Indian Team as well,” it is said.