BCCI to Establish Guidelines for IPL Celebration Protocols Following Tragic Incident
BCCI's Upcoming Meeting to Address IPL Celebration Standards
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to discuss the implementation of standardized procedures for victory celebrations during the Indian Premier League (IPL) at its Apex Council meeting scheduled for June 14. This decision follows a devastating stampede that occurred during a post-title event for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in 11 fatalities and over 50 injuries.
Details of the Stampede Incident
The tragic stampede took place on June 4, when a large crowd gathered outside the stadium for a fan celebration of RCB's first IPL title. Despite plans to control access through passes, the turnout exceeded expectations, leading to chaos. The state government has since held both RCB and the BCCI accountable for not obtaining the necessary permissions and for inadequate crowd management. In response, RCB has pledged ₹10 lakh in compensation to each victim's family, and the franchise's marketing head has been arrested due to negligence.
BCCI's Broader Agenda for the Meeting
In addition to discussing celebration protocols, the BCCI's Apex Council will address several other significant matters. Among these is the finalization of venues for New Zealand's white-ball tour of India in early 2026, which will include three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
The Council will also confirm the schedule for the domestic season of 2025-26. Furthermore, they will review a directive from the Ombudsman regarding alleged financial irregularities related to cricket infrastructure in Telangana, stemming from a complaint by V. Agam Rao.
Moreover, the board plans to evaluate the BCCI Code of Conduct for players and team officials, along with policies concerning tournament allowances for BCCI staff and proposed changes to the Age Verification Programme (AVP) testing regulations.
Lastly, the meeting will consider the appointment of coaches for umpires and match referees, as well as approvals for tenders related to broadcast graphics for domestic matches and the verification of player registration documents.