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It is almost impossible for a league as big as the IPL not to have a single major controversy in any given year. This is true in 2026 as well. 46 matches have been completed in IPL 2026, and the tournament has already given us some major buzzworthy incidents.
All of these incidents created a major furore on social media and on the ground as well. More often than not, the BCCI has had to step in to decide not just a punishment but also to set the record straight about any doubts left in the minds of fans or players.
In these articles, we will look at 7 major controversies that have saddled IPL 2026 so far:
7. Tristan Stubbs denied a glove change
During Match No. 18 of IPL 2026, CSK vs DC in Chennai on April 11, Delhi Capitals' Tristan Stubbs was denied a change of gloves in the middle of an over. The highlight of the match was Sanju Samson's unbeaten century, but Stubbs too did his best to keep Delhi alive in their chase of 213.
In the 19th over of the chase, Stubbs seemed to ask for a change of batting gloves, but the request was denied. Soon after his request was denied, Stubbs got dismissed, and DC ultimately lost the match. The IPL playing conditions disallow changes in equipment in the middle of an over unless there is damage to the gear.
Later, Delhi Capitals Player Nitish Rana and Head Coach Hemang Badani were seen in animated discussions with the umpires. Rana was later fined 25% of his match fees.
The controversy grew bigger when, on the very next day, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya was allowed a change of gloves in the middle of an over while batting against RCB. The selective enforcement of rules did not go down well with the fans.
6. Jason Holder's controversial catch of Rajat Patidar
During Match No. 42, GT vs RCB in Ahmedabad on April 26, RCB captain Rajat Patidar top-edged a delivery from left-arm pacer Arshad Khan. Near the boundary ropes, GT's Jason Holder took what looked like an excellent catch.
But a second look at things seemed to suggest that Holder was neither in control of the catch nor had he successfully prevented the ball from touching the ground. The third umpire eventually decided that Patidar was out, but this decision did not go down well with the fans either.
Many RCB players, including Virat Kohli, were seen arguing with the umpires, but the decision stood. Patidar's dismissal triggered a collapse that left RCB at 155 all out. GT chased the total down easily. Holder was adjudged Player of the Match for taking 3 catches (including Patidar's) and 2 wickets.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad file a complaint with the BCCI
After their loss to Lucknow Super Giants in Match No. 10 on April 5, Sunrisers Hyderabad reportedly went to the BCCI with a list of grievances.
The biggest complaint of all seemed to be pacer Avesh Khan's actions in LSG's win over SRH. LSG skipper Rishabh Pant hit a four when his team needed 1 run to win from 2 balls. Except that Avesh hit the ball back into the field of play with a bat even before the ball actually touched the boundary.
Eagle-eyed fans thought that Avesh might have engaged in Unfair Play, and an appeal would have given LSG a five-run penalty and left them with much more to chase. The umpires, though, clarified that even though Avesh Khan's actions could be construed as amateurish, they were certainly not illegal.
There were no fielders around the ball, meaning that Avesh Khan did not block any fielders from stopping the boundary, and hence, the laws surrounding Dead Ball or Unfair Play could not be applied.
SRH's grievances did not stop here. Reportedly, the franchise also complained about certain catches taken against their team. Specifically, by RCB's Phil Salt in Match No. 1 and by KKR's Varun Chakravarthy in Match No. 6. Both catches were close calls taken near the boundary and were eventually adjudged out.
4. Angkrish Raghuvanshi given out obstructing the field
During Match No. 38, LSG vs KKR in Lucknow on April 26, KKR batter Abgkrish Raghuvanshi joined a unique list of players that comprised of Yusuf Pathan, Amit Mishra, and Ravindra Jadeja before him.
In the fifth over, Raghuvanshi hit a delivery from Prince Yadav towards mid-on, where Mohammed Shami picked it up. Raghuvanshi set off for a single, but his partner, Cameron Green, denied the single and sent the former back. Shami's delivery hit Raghuvanshi, and LSG appealed.
The third umpire determined that Raghuvanshi had looked at the ball before turning and had wilfully changed his running direction, causing the ball to hit him. This was enough for him to be deemed out for obstructing the field.
After the match, Raghuvanshi was fined 20% of his match fee and given a demerit point because he had hit the boundary cushions with the bat after being dismissed, and also threw his helmet in frustration in the dressing room.
3. Riyan Parag found vaping in the dressing room
On April 28, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag had been caught vaping during his team's win over Punjab Kings in Match No. 40 of IPL 2026. TV cameras had shown Parag lighting an e-cigarette.
The incident caused a furore because vaping/e-cigarettes are actually banned in India. Although RR ended Punjab's unbeaten streak in this match, Parag personally did not find cause to celebrate.
The BCCI fined Parag 25% of his match fee and handed him one demerit point for bringing the game into disrepute.
2. BCCI cracks down on 'girlfriend culture'
A new report in Dainik Jagran has stated that the BCCI wants to crack down on the players' girlfriends travelling with them during the IPL. The board is mainly concerned about the fact that the partners are travelling and staying with the team instead.
The BCCI also seems to be worried about the fact that most of the players' girlfriends are either full-blown influencers or have a strong presence on social media at least. The board seems to think that this puts sensitive information at risk, as many of these influencers have promoted betting sites in the past.
After India lost to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in early 2025, the BCCI laid down many strict rules for the Indian team about how long their families were allowed on tour. Implementing strict regulations in the IPL seemed like a logistical nightmare because there are 10 IPL teams to look at rather than one Indian team.
The board is also worried about the reputation of the IPL and professionalism. The report in Dainik Jagran also mentioned that some IPL players have had police cases filed against them by their female partners.
1. RR manager caught using a phone in the dugout
During Match No. 16 (RR vs RCB at Guwahati on April 10) of IPL 2026, the Rajasthan Royals were found embroiled in the first major controversy of the season. During RR's win over the defending champions, team manager Romi Bhinder was seen using a cell phone in the team dugout.
According to the IPL PMOA (Player and Match Officials Area) protocol, “Mobile phones and other electronic communication devices are not allowed to be used in the PMOA.” This area includes dressing rooms, players’ external match-viewing areas, the TV/third umpire area, match referee’s room, players’ and match officials’ dining areas, dugouts, and any other area designated by the BCCI Anti-Corruption and Security Manager.
Only the designated team analyst is allowed to carry an electronic device in the dugout. The team managers are also allowed an electronic device with them, but only in the dressing room and not the dugout.
