BCCI’s new IPL rule: Wives in, girlfriends out?

MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly weighing a policy shift to limit the presence of players' girlfriends during the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The move follows reports of several high-profile stars—including Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya, Rajasthan Royals’ Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Ishan Kishan, and Punjab Kings’ Arshdeep Singh—frequently being accompanied by their partners during the tournament.

The governing body is considering stricter disciplinary protocols after fans and officials raised concerns over partners joining players in restricted zones, including team hotels and official transport.

Beyond logistics, the BCCI is reportedly monitoring the "influencer" status of some partners. There are internal concerns that the association with top-tier cricketers is being leveraged to boost social media profiles and personal branding.

Under current BCCI guidelines, while wives are granted permission to stay with players during designated windows, girlfriends do not currently fall under this official "family" provision.

With the majority of these players being core members of the Indian National Team, the BCCI is keen to insulate the squad from potential off-field distractions or controversies. An official statement is expected to be released following the Board's upcoming internal meeting.