BCCI cracks the whip, bars players and match officials from using smart sunglasses in IPL: ‘Strictly prohibited’

Here's all you need to know about the BCCI barring players and the match officials from using smart sunglasses in IPL.

Updated on: May 29, 2026, 16:01:07 IST

Written by Vishesh Roy

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to tighten its grip and has now released a fresh set of instructions for players and match officials for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 edition. The board's Anti-Corruption Unit put its foot down, and as a result, the players and match officials have now been barred from using the smart sunglasses inside the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA). The decision was taken after it came to light that the smart sunglasses' advanced communication allows live streaming and video calling through mobile data or Wi-Fi networks.

BCCI bars players from wearing smart sunglasses during IPL. (AFP)

An advisory has been sent to all 10 IPL franchises, stating that the Anti-Corruption Unit has noticed some companies selling and marketing smart sunglasses to players and support staff.

"Kindly note that these devices are equipped with advanced communication features, including live streaming, sending and receiving text messages, as well as audio and video calling capabilities through mobile data or Wi-Fi networks," the Board said, according to news agency PTI.

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"Accordingly, under the PMOA Minimum Standards, such goggles/glasses are classified both as an 'Audio/Video Recording Device' and a 'Communication Device'. It is hereby notified that the possession and/or use of 'Smart Goggles' is strictly prohibited within the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA)," it added.

‘Action will be taken’

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder was fined INR 1 lakh for using a mobile phone inside the team dugout during the IPL 2026 match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.

The players and officials have now been prohibited from using communication devices in the PMOAs. The board has urged all the concerned individuals to submit and deposit smart sunglasses before entering the PMOA. It has also been made clear that action will be taken if there's non-compliance.

"All players and support staff are directed to deposit such devices with the Security Liaison Officer (SLO), along with their mobile phones and smartwatches, upon entering the PMOA on match days," the Board said.

"Failure to deposit such devices shall be deemed a breach of the PMOA protocols and may result in penalties under the PMOA Minimum Standards for IPL 2026," it added.

The IPL 2026 has been marred with several code of conduct violations, and the BCCI had to issue a strong diktat, banning late-night outings for players without permission from the security team. Guests in the players' and support staff's hotel rooms were also disallowed due to security concerns and fears of honey-trapping.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vishesh Roy
Vishesh Roy is a sports journalist with a strong focus on cricket. He began his career at Asian News International (ANI), where he covered a range of high-profile events, including the India Open, Legends Cricket League, the England–India Test series in Ahmedabad in 2021, and the inauguration of the Narendra Modi Stadium. During his tenure at ANI, he also reported extensively on domestic cricket, covering several Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy matches across the country. While cricket remains his primary beat, Vishesh has also reported on tennis, football and WWE. After a stint of over three years at ANI, Vishesh moved to NDTV, where he gained hands-on experience in digital-first journalism, with a particular emphasis on live blogs and real-time news reporting. He joined Hindustan Times in October 2024 and quickly established himself with a series of exclusive interviews and source-driven stories. Ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Hindustan Times was the first to report that the two-day event would be held in Saudi Arabia. In the early months of his tenure, Vishesh secured interviews with leading cricketers, including Pat Cummins, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rashid Latif. He has also closely tracked the rise of emerging talents such as Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya by speaking to their current and childhood coaches. His background in on-field reporting has helped Hindustan Times Digital break exclusive stories on major developments, including Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji and Vijay Hazare Trophy, IPL scheduling, and the T20 World Cup controversy involving Bangladesh and Pakistan.Read More

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