Punjab Kings fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has courted controversy after supposedly violating the BCCI's new guidelines.
Last week, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia issued a 7-page document outlining rules and guidelines for both franchise and player behaviour in IPL 2026.
The new rules prohibited the movement of "unauthorised" persons within the team hotels, preventing such people from entering the players' hotel rooms. The players themselves, too, were prohibited from going out of the hotels without prior notice.
Key Points
- Arshdeep Singh sparked controversy after being spotted with rumored girlfriend Samreen Kaur in the PBKS team bus.
- The incident comes shortly after BCCI introduced stricter IPL 2026 conduct and access-control guidelines.
- BCCI’s advisory reportedly warned teams about “unauthorised persons” and honey-trapping risks.
BCCI warns against honey-trapping
The most eye-catching clause of the guidelines is arguably the one that warns both teams and players to stay vigilant of any potential honey-trapping. The BCCI also sought to restrict the movement of the players' girlfriends with the teams as well.
"The BCCI draws the attention of all Franchises to the well-documented risks of targeted compromise and honey-trapping that pervade high-profile sporting environments. The possibility of incidents giving rise to serious legal allegations, including those under applicable laws on sexual misconduct, cannot be discounted. IPL franchise management must remain vigilant and proactive in mitigating such risks at all times,” Saikia said in the advisory.
Arshdeep Singh seen with Samreen Kaur in the team bus
Despite the BCCI issuing rules prohibiting players' girlfriends from travelling with the team, PBKS' left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh was seen violating these rules.
In a new viral video, he can be seen travelling in the team bus with his rumoured girlfriend, Samreen Kaur. This incident has apparently irked the BCCI, which is reportedly contemplating not only action against Arshdeep Singh but also issuing new, far stricter guidelines on this specific issue.
आइपीएल की टीम बस में गर्लफ्रेंड बिठाकर एक खिलाड़ी जा रहा था जिसको लेकर बीसीसीआइ और ज्यादा खड़ा हुआ था। जिसके बाद गाइडलाइंस में ये बात स्पेशल तौर पर लिखी गई थी कि आप ऐसा नहीं कर सकते। इसके तो वीडियो हैं। क्या ये भी फेक न्यूज है?
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) May 12, 2026
Who the hell is bcci , brother is busy in his love era, after giving guidelines to team and player, this lover boy is beyond all, fail on field but wana hit in love field @BCCI @IPL @PunjabKingsIPL any explanation how the Gf allowed in team bus. pic.twitter.com/fMEsrYH8sy
— vipul kashyap (@kashyapvipul) May 12, 2026
In the early hours of Wednesday, the Punjab Kings had also issued an advisory to journalists not to engage in any fake news and also not to spread any misinformation.
Criticism, banter, and opinions are part of sport. Fake stories and made-up narratives for cheap engagement are not. We urge everyone to verify facts before spreading misinformation for attention or traction.
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 12, 2026
Arshdeep Singh's form in IPL 2026
Arshdeep Singh has not necessarily been in the best form in IPL 2026. All of Punjab's bowlers are having a tough time in the tournament, but Arshdeep has been the silver lining.
With 13 wickets in 11 matches, he is the highest wicket-taker for his team. But his wickets have come at an average of 32 and an economy rate of just under 10 runs per over.
In the Punjab Kings' loss to the Delhi Capitals on Monday, Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the Punjab bowlers. Even though PBKS failed to defend 210 against DC in Dharamsala, Arshdeep Singh picked two wickets and gave away just 21 runs in his four overs.
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