In the wake of the devastating stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 de*d and 56 injured, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing to address the pressing need for standard guidelines surrounding IPL victory celebrations.
The tragic incident occurred when around 250,000 fans flocked to the stadium and its surrounding areas in an attempt to catch a glimpse of their cricketing idols. The chaos that ensued highlighted the urgent necessity for more structured and safer post-tournament events.
Recognising the situation, the BCCI has admitted that the celebrations could have been better handled. Now, this matter is set to be a primary subject at the board’s 28th Apex Council Meeting scheduled for Saturday. According to a BCCI insider, the formal establishment of norms and protocols for IPL title celebrations will be up for discussion, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Beyond the celebration guidelines, the Council will also deliberate on several other key issues. One of these includes finalising the venues for the upcoming India-New Zealand series, a logistical detail crucial to the national team’s calendar.
In another matter of significance, the Council will assess the current Age Verification Programme. This initiative is aimed at curbing the growing problem of age manipulation in junior-level cricket, especially within the Under-16 boys and Under-15 girls categories. Any potential revisions to strengthen the verification process will be explored.
Additionally, a financial misconduct complaint filed by V. Agam Rao, president of the Karimnagar District Cricket Association, will be brought to the table. Rao, back in April 2025, raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the handling of funds meant for the development of cricket infrastructure in various Telangana districts. Taking the matter seriously, BCCI Ombudsman Justice Arun Mishra has urged the Apex Council to act on the complaint, prompting it to be a part of Saturday’s discussion agenda.
The meeting is also expected to address updates to the BCCI Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials, revisit the current policies regarding tournament allowances for BCCI employees, review the 2025–26 domestic season schedule and look into topics related to the coaches of umpires and match referees.
With a packed agenda that spans governance, safety and grassroots development, the upcoming meeting may set a new tone for the BCCI’s administrative priorities moving forward.
