Delhi: Even as IPL 2026 was about to end, the BCCI did not wait and their Anti-Corruption and Security Unit issued a warning advisory to the IPL teams, banning them from keeping or using ‘Smart Goggles’ in restricted areas during the tournament. The haste with which this action was taken shows that the Board is not taking these ‘Smart Goggles’ as just a fashion statement and before that ‘Smart Goggles’ Started action to prevent any scandal due to misuse of goggles.

The advisory sent to the franchise states that some companies are selling smart sunglasses/goggles to players and support staff that are fitted with new communication features that include live streaming, sending and receiving text messages and audio and video calling options through mobile data or Wi-Fi. Therefore, the Board has classified these ‘Smart Goggles’ as ‘Audio/Video Recording Device’ and ‘Communication Device’ and not as spectacles or goggles under the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) protocol. Since there is a ban on possession or use of such devices in PMOA, these ‘smart goggles’ were also banned.

Players can keep them with them, just like there is no ban on mobile phones, but on match days, such devices will also have to be deposited with the ‘Security Liaison Officer’ along with mobile phones and smart watches while entering the PMOA. Breaking the guidelines will be considered a violation of protocol and may result in a penalty.

So the issue is why did BCCI take such strict action in a hurry, without any mention? It is not hidden from anyone that in recent years, ‘wearable tech-enabled gadgets’ are becoming very popular among cricketers and fans. The board, however, took immediate action now, right after star cricketer Virat Kohli launched a campaign for AI-enabled smart glasses in India. Big budget, Virat Kohli’s smart glasses campaign caught everyone’s attention, got a lot of likes (about 5.3 million), a huge number of views (over a billion) and woke up the board.

Oakley launched its Oakley Meta Performance AI glasses in India and Virat Kohli was the face of their campaign. This was not only one of the most talked about ads during IPL 2026, it also got a lot of space in the media. Virat Kohli was shown wearing these glasses during practice sessions, workouts, off-field preparations etc. Anyway, Virat Kohli was seen wearing these smart glasses during his practice session in IPL 2026.

In this way, these glasses and their use in communication especially irked the BCCI and these glasses came on their radar. The matter reached the extent of banning their possession or use inside the restricted zone during match days. The Anti Corruption Unit believes that such devices are a huge threat to the integrity and security of the match and hence have included them in the banned products by counting them as ‘Audio/Video Recording Devices’ and ‘Communication Devices’.

This season of IPL, along with the cricket played, will also be remembered for many such actions of BCCI. The story that started with Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder being fined for using a mobile phone in the dug-out during a match is not stopping. After that, steps were taken like going out late at night without security clearance, ban on guests coming to players’ hotel rooms, honey-trap during the tournament and ban on contact with players without permission. Now the concern is increasing about the sensational changes in ‘wearable technology’ and the methods of secret communication and the day is not far when such a ban will be heard outside the IPL, in domestic and international cricket also. For now, the board wants to save IPL from any fixing controversy.

Let us tell you about the working technology of these smart glasses. These smart glasses work like mini smart phones built into normal eyeglasses. The wearer can make and listen to private phone calls through the small open-ear speaker and the special thing is that if someone from outside calls the player, that voice will not be blocked. You can also send or listen to messages completely hands-free from different apps using voice commands.

These glasses can record video, instantly capture a special moment, and share content without having to pick up the phone. The speakers are not inside the ears but near the ears and hence by using them in any way, every activity around is aware of which makes their use hidden. So what else is needed? Communication, recording and entertainment features are available just by wearing smart glasses.

The device’s ability to live-stream footage, send and receive text messages, and make audio-video calls can enable unauthorized communication between players and outsiders, and this is where the fear lies. If not today then tomorrow it may be misused.