Guarding the IPL: Why the BCCI’s New Directives Were Long Overdue

BCCI

Much has already been said about the BCCI’s new diktats aimed at ensuring the IPL is not misused by unwanted elements, including honey traps. In all honesty, it was a long time coming. Things were gradually becoming a bit too much for the BCCI to allow and, frankly, the tournament was beginning to lose a bit of its sheen.

The BCCI should also come down heavily on the all-encompassing presence of certain social media influencers. While a number of journalists have already commented on the issue, let me also say that by allowing social media influencers far too close to players and teams, a huge risk is being taken. All of a sudden, these people have unfiltered access. Journalists who have worked tirelessly for years do not enjoy the same access, yet some of these women are seen cosying up to players in the name of creating content.

The truth is, such content is not needed. Neither the teams, nor the BCCI, nor the IPL requires it. The field of play and proximity to players and management should remain a guarded domain, and no influencer should be granted unfiltered access. Some of the content being created is cringeworthy and deplorable.

The IPL is what it is because cricket has always remained at its core. Not entertainment or glamour, but solid cricket has sustained the tournament thus far. Everything else is merely a frill and not the central act of the story. The fact that thousands turned up in Kolkata in May 2013, in the midst of the spot-fixing scandal, to watch MI play CSK in the final was not because of entertainment. Social media was not as all-pervasive either. Fans never gave up on the tournament because cricket remained at its heart. Resorting to cheap social media gimmicks will only damage the IPL rather than do it any good.

Having been part of the ecosystem for decades, I have a fair sense of what goes on at the periphery. Hotel lobbies become gathering places for all sorts of people. If there are no disciplinary checks, there is a real chance of players falling prey to honey traps. These are young men and women, and it takes only one mistake for things to spiral out of control. In every sense, therefore, the BCCI advisory could not have come at a better time.

Coming back to the influencers – while they have every right to pursue their profession and earn money, easy access to players and management is plainly unfair. The field of play is a protected domain, and all of a sudden we are seeing these boundaries being crossed with alarming regularity. The question is: why? For a few Instagram likes and X reposts? For some extra fan engagement and inflated social media numbers? Why would teams want this in the first place?

The broadcaster has paid top dollar for exclusive access to the field of play. Why should anyone – players and their families included – be permitted to violate these rights? Corrective measures are in order, and the BCCI directives are a good start.

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