NEW DELHI: As the Indian cricket board (BCCI) becomes more stringent with enforcing its anti-corruption regulations in the IPL, it has begun acting firmly against players, officials, relatives of team personnel and broadcasters producing social-media material, TOI has learned. A few ex-cricketers serving as broadcasters have already been warned by the board for shooting videos near the players and match officials area (PMOA) during the current season. Prior to the IPL, the board had circulated tighter rules with broadcasters, including instructions for production crews.“There have been several violations by certain commentators. One former international cricketer was caught recording videos on his phone near the dugout during a high-pressure phase of a game. The BCCI unit responded quickly and instructed him to halt the recording. There may even be legal notices issued to an ex-cricketer discovered filming content for his YouTube channel. The board has explicitly stated that anyone wearing BCCI and IPL official clothing cannot be seen recording at the venue,” BCCI
 sources said. The ‘honey traps’ worrying the BCCI also arise from players becoming increasingly close to influencers and vloggers. There is additionally concern that the younger generation of cricketers are becoming excessively focused on producing large amounts of social-media content. An India cricketer has already been advised to limit his habit of uploading content regarding his
 team’s travel and other movements. It has also been observed, negatively, that franchises have recruited social-media influencers and granted them unrestricted access within the squad. “The reel culture has resulted in multiple violations recently. There are some Indian players who upload videos on match days, shortly before a game and directly after the end of the match,” the source said. A former India cricketer had earlier been instructed not to upload material on his YouTube channel during an active series. It is also understood that immediate family members of players have been advised to avoid posting photographs and videos during the IPL. The board had earlier cautioned an India fast bowler after he was seen endorsing a video of the Indian team’s accommodation facilities created by his wife. There have been occasions in the IPL where a player nearly discloses whether he is in the playing XI on match days through such reels.
 Focus on senior players, state leagues The ACU has highlighted the issue of senior international players permitting their family/friends to travel in the team bus. Attention is also on the domestic T20 leagues organised by state associations. “There are BCCI ACU officers stationed in team hotels in the local T20 leagues as well. BCCI’s anti-corruption regulations apply in these tournaments. There are anti-corruption meetings with players, team officials and team owners but there have been a few IPL players who have taken liberties and brought unauthorised guests into team hotels in some of the local T20 leagues. These are bad examples for young cricketers who reach the IPL through these competitions,” BCCI sources said. It is likely that all state T20 leagues will implement the revised guidelines issued by the board