BCCI cracks down on IPL ‘reel culture’ amid corruption fears; players and families warned

NEW DELHI: As the Indian cricket board (BCCI) gets aggressive with the implementation of its anti-corruption guidelines in the IPL, it has started to come down heavily on players, officials, family of team members and broadcasters who create social-media content, TOI has learnt.

A few former cricketers who are working as broadcasters have already been reprimanded by the board for making videos near the players and match officials area (PMOA) during this season. Ahead of the IPL, the board had shared stricter guidelines with the broadcasters, including guidelines for crew.
“There have been a few breaches by a few commentators. One former international cricketer was found making videos on his phone near the dugout in a tense situation of a match. The BCCI team acted swiftly and got him to stop the recording. There could be a case of sending legal notices to an ex-cricketer who was found filming for his YouTube channel. The board has clearly mentioned that anybody wearing BCCI and IPL official attire can’t be seen filming at the ground,” BCCI sources said.

The ‘honey traps’ the BCCI is concerned about also stems from the players’ growing proximity with influencers and vloggers. There is also fear that the new crop of cricketers are getting too obsessed with putting out a lot of content on social media. An India cricketer has already been told to curb his habit of posting content on his team’s travel and other whereabouts.

It has also been noticed, unfavourably, that franchises have hired social media influencers and given them unfiltered access within the team. “The reel culture has led to many violations of late. There are a few Indian players who post videos on match days, just before a match and immediately after the conclusion of the match,” the source said. A former India cricketer was previously asked not to post content on his YouTube channel during an ongoing series. It is also learnt that immediate families of players have been told to refrain from posting pictures and videos during the IPL.

The board had previously warned an India fast bowler after he was found promoting a video of the Indian team’s accommodation facilities created by his wife. There have been instances in the IPL where a player almost reveals if he is in the playing XI on match days through such reels.

Focus on senior players, state leagues

The ACU has flagged the issue of senior international players alowing their family/friends to travel in the team bus. Focus is also on the local T20 leagues hosted by state associations. “There are BCCI ACU officers in team hotels in the local T20 leagues as well. BCCI’s anti-corruption guidelines are applicable in these leagues. There are anti-corruption sessions with players, team officials and team owners but there have been a few IPL players who have taken liberties and brought in unauthorised guests to team hotels in some of the local T20 leagues. These are poor examples for young cricketers who make it to the IPL through these leagues,” BCCI sources said. It is likely that all state T20 leagues will enforce the revised guidelines issued by the board.