The “Girlfriend Culture” set to end in IPL? Here’s the update

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to implement strict regulations on "Girlfriend Culture" in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to ensure players maintain discipline. These regulations will be identical to those that were implemented for the Indian national team during international matches just a short while ago. The objective of these rules is to streamline protocols within the league and uphold team discipline.

This issue resurfaced for discussion when it came to light that several star players of the Indian team were spotted with their respective girlfriends at team hotels. Furthermore, reports have emerged suggesting that these players even travelled on the team bus with their girlfriends. This list includes star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, ace pacer Arshdeep Singh, and promising opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal.

"We are discussing this among ourselves. It will be discussed in the next BCCI meeting. There is no problem with wives and family members staying in the hotel with the players, but we will have to be a little more serious about girlfriends," a BCCI official said.

Officials further stated that this rule has already been applied to the Indian cricket team, a measure that has significantly improved Team India's discipline. However, this regulation was previously limited to wives and family members, and did not include girlfriends. Now, however, girlfriends will also be subject to this rule. Consequently, girlfriends will not be permitted to stay with the players in team hotels—a regulation that will also be applicable to the IPL.

"We made this rule, and something will have to be done regarding the IPL too. Previously in IPL, girlfriends were not allowed to stay in players' hotels, but now it has become a trend. I spoke to an officer from the IPL's anti-corruption unit about this, and he told us that we have been asked to allow wives and 'officially announced girlfriends' to stay together," the official added. 

Another rationale behind this move is to ensure that sensitive information from within the dressing rooms remains secure. Given that the girlfriends of several Indian team players are highly popular on social media, various details—whether intentionally or unintentionally—tend to get disseminated; it is therefore essential to curb this practice.

"Sir, we're just doing it that way. It's certain that the BCCI will now introduce stricter rules regarding whether or not to stay with a girlfriend," an officer in IPL's anti-corruption unit said. 

In international matches, any violation of anti-corruption protocols is strictly prohibited, with the BCCI itself overseeing compliance. However, in the Indian Premier League, the franchises are privately managed entities. With ten teams participating in the tournament, it becomes quite challenging for the Board to keep a close watch on all of them.