In recent years, influencers and content creators have gained access to players, but journalists have never had such access

The BCCI has sent a 10-page advisory to all IPL teams regarding the conduct of their players, from the dugout to hotels and public places. Currently, we cannot determine the rules the BCCI will impose on teams and players, but we have long felt that one aspect of the IPL is being overdone.

IPL is a sport, not a content

In recent years, we have seen countless influencers and content creators get cosy with players during practice sessions, dugouts, team hotels, etc. The Indian Instagram circuit has no shortage of IPL players' behind-the-scenes footage, thanks to influencer and content creators' access with smartphones in hand.

Like the post if you feel these two content creator are the worst thing ever got related to IPL 🤡 pic.twitter.com/CQyEg1vDrh

— Venky Mama (@venkymama100) April 8, 2026

From dancing videos to playing and sharing their opinions, which can be considered brief interviews, all of this is aimed at the public because IPL teams felt the need to connect with the online audience.

🚨Eden Gardens to have a light show for today's game

- Via Priyam Ghose IG📱 pic.twitter.com/jl0gNT50Kb

— Rokte Amar KKR (@Rokte_Amarr_KKR) May 11, 2024

To some extent, the motive is understandable, given that younger audiences are on Instagram and other social media platforms and that online content is needed to drive them into the stadium. However, cricket is not content; it is a sport.

Fans never left

Do you recall the 2013 fixing scandal that overshadowed the IPL? Fans still thronged the stadium even though social media was in its nascent stage in India. Even now, when the tournament is being called boring due to batting-friendly pitches, fans continue backing the team in the stadiums, and it is because of their love for the sport, coupled with other factors such as ambience, the presence of Bollywood glamour, etc., but cricket remains at the top.

Works of journalists thwarted

To some extent, the non-stop videos and photographs from the social media accounts of influencers and content creators are either making reporting difficult for sports journalists or overshadowing their reports and analysis. After all, given that users are continuously scrolling on Instagram, they receive IPL updates in real time throughout the day and night from influencers and content creators.

'Urvil’s celebration was sensational 🤩😎'@kartikmurali & @joybhattacharj react 👇#IPL2026 #CSKvLSG pic.twitter.com/ep7nvOwXs2

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 11, 2026

And when we say updates, they are masala content packaged as cricket, but game analysis and other technical aspects of cricket are rarely watched by hardcore enthusiasts because of their long format, whether in the form of a YouTube video or an article on a website.

A problem for broadcasters

Even for broadcasters who pay millions, the situation could become challenging, given that every major shot or wicket is now instantly available, not only on influencers' or content creators' accounts but also on teams' and sports media houses' social media accounts.

This one’s for the history books. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/7JmTnEQi91

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 10, 2026

Live matches may not be affected, but highlights of a game may no longer gain traction because who needs highlights when they are already available on your Instagram?

In summary, sports journalists should be granted greater access to teams and players, enabling them to report more technical stories about the game and the tournament. Sketches, scripted videos, and fun and dance with players are acceptable to a certain extent, but in the long run, too much exposure from behind the scenes may not keep viewers hooked because at one point, people will start feeling like it is too much of IPL and IPL content on their screens.