The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering stricter guidelines around the presence of girlfriends during the Indian Premier League (IPL), amid concerns over discipline, privacy, and potential off-field controversies.

According to a report in Dainik Jagran, the issue has recently been discussed within the board, with officials examining whether current informal practices around player companions need clearer regulation.

As per the report, the BCCI does not oppose players having their wives or family members stay with them during tournaments. However, officials are said to be more cautious about girlfriends accompanying players and staying in team hotels.

The concern, sources suggest, is not personal relationships themselves, but the possible risk of sensitive team information being unintentionally shared or leaked in a highly competitive environment like the IPL.

A BCCI official was quoted in the report saying that internal discussions are ongoing, and while family travel has always been permitted, the growing trend of girlfriends staying with players has raised questions.

The report also highlights a separate internal discussion involving the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit. When the matter was raised, a representative reportedly mentioned that they could not object to the presence of wives or “official girlfriends”.

The use of the term “official girlfriend” itself reportedly surprised board officials, who questioned its definition and clarity, as per the report.

The report further claims that some of the people travelling with players include social media influencers, some of whom have previously promoted betting-related platforms.

It also mentions that a few IPL players have, in the past, faced police complaints involving personal relationships, adding to the board’s caution around off-field distractions and reputational risks.

The BCCI has already implemented strict family travel guidelines for international tours, especially after India’s 4-1 Test series loss in Australia. Under those rules, families are allowed to stay with players for a limited period on long tours.

Now, similar restrictions are being discussed for the IPL as well, though no official decision has been announced yet.

However, implementing such measures in the IPL could be more complex due to the participation of 10 different franchises and varying team environments, making uniform enforcement more challenging.

For now, the discussions remain internal, and the BCCI is yet to formalise any new rule.