The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia stirred controversy on social media earlier this month after using the term 'honey-trap' during a media interaction. His comments quickly led to widespread speculation and harassment of cricketers' partners on social media platforms.
Saikia had urged IPL franchises to remain vigilant throughout the season and issued a directive flagging concerns over protocol breaches. In a letter to the CEOs of the 10 franchises, he wrote: 'It has come to the attention of the BCCI that certain incidents of misconduct and protocol violation have occurred involving players, support staff, and team officials during the course of the current IPL season. These incidents, if left unaddressed, carry the potential to cause significant reputational harm to the tournament, the franchise concerned, and the BCCI as the governing body. They may further expose individuals and franchises to legal liability and security risks of a serious nature.'
However, IPL governing council chairman Arun Dhumal clarified that no issue related to honey-trapping had surfaced in this edition of the IPL. 'There has been no issue as such with regard to honey-trapping or things like that, to my knowledge. This is a very clean tournament,' Dhumal said. He added that the only notable incident was the Riyan Parag vaping case, which could have been avoided. 'Barring that, I don't think there was any such incident,' he noted.
When asked about Saikia's specific comment on honey trapping, Dhumal stated: 'I am not privy to any such information either. He would be the best person to comment on that. But nothing of the sort has happened in this edition, as far as my understanding and knowledge go. I haven't heard his comment, so I would not want to comment on that.'
Dhumal praised the IPL 2026 season, describing it as 'phenomenal.' He remarked: 'It's been a phenomenal season this year. Like all the previous editions, till the last day of the league stage we did not know which would be the fourth team to qualify. That is the excitement around the IPL every season. The quality of games that we have had so far has been phenomenal.'
Background of the Controversy
The BCCI secretary's remarks came during a media interaction where he discussed potential security risks to players. The term 'honey-trap' typically refers to a situation where someone is lured into a compromising relationship to extract information or gain leverage. Saikia's use of the term sparked immediate backlash, with many accusing him of making baseless allegations that led to the online harassment of cricketers' families.
Franchise Reactions
Several franchise officials expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing the need for clear communication from the BCCI. One anonymous official stated: 'We take all security matters seriously, but such vague statements can cause unnecessary panic and harm.'
IPL's Stance on Security
The BCCI has implemented strict security protocols for all IPL matches, including player accommodations and travel. However, this incident has highlighted the need for better handling of sensitive information to prevent misinformation and harassment.
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About the Author: Pratyush Raj is a cricket journalist with TOI Sports, specializing in all things cricket, both on and off the field. He began his career with the Business Standard before following his passion as a sports reporter for the Times of India in Chandigarh. Pratyush has also contributed to the sports coverage of India Today Group and his last stint was with The Indian Express. His love for sports was nurtured during his upbringing in flood-prone Saharsa, a district in North Bihar, where Cricket Samrat was his constant companion.
