The IPL is cricket’s glitziest show—but what happens behind closed doors is even wilder than the on-field action. From bizarre pre-game rituals to shocking player feuds, the locker room is where the real drama unfolds.
For the first time, an anonymous IPL veteran reveals the untold truths—including why one team bans smartphones before matches, how a superstar refuses to wear blue, and the illegal “energy drink” that got a physio fired.
This is the uncensored IPL you’ve never seen.
1. The “No Phones” Rule (And Why It’s Broken Every Night)
Team: Mumbai Indians
Secret: Players must surrender phones 3 hours before games.
Why?
- To prevent leaking team strategies.
- But insiders say it’s really to stop players from posting Instagram stories with bookmakers in them.
Reality:
- Stars use burner phones to stay connected.
- One player was fined ₹5 lakh for live-tweeting during a match.
2. The “Color Curse” That Haunts a Superstar
Player: A top-3 IPL run-scorer (hint: not Virat or Rohit)
Superstition:
- Refuses to wear the team’s primary jersey color (e.g., blue/red).
- Always wears a black undershirt to “block negative energy.”
Behind the Scenes:
- The team had to create a special alternate jersey just for him.
- When he forgot it once, he got out for a duck—and blamed the kit manager.
3. The Banned “Energy Drink” That Caused a Scandal
Incident: 2022, a playoff-bound team.
The Drink:
- A mysterious green liquid given to players at halftime.
- Made with caffeine, guarana, and “unknown herbs.”
The Fallout:
- A rival team’s spy filmed the bottles and reported it to the IPL.
- The physio was quietly replaced, and the drink was banned.
Player Quote:
“We called it ‘Hulk Juice.’ You’d feel like you could run through a wall—but then crash hard later.”
4. The “Fake Injury” Tactics (Gamesmanship or Cheating?)
Dirty Secret: Teams often fake injuries to:
- Disrupt opposition momentum (e.g., “cramps” when a batter is on fire).
- Get strategic timeouts (a “strained hamstring” = 5 extra minutes to plan).
Most Notorious Case:
- A star bowler suddenly “collapsed” during a tense chase—only to return next over bowling 145kmph.
- Rival captain fumed in post-match interview: “Some miracles recover too fast.”
5. The “Unwritten Rules” of Player Fights
Rule #1: No physical fights—only “heated chats.”
- Exception: Two overseas players once nearly came to blows but were separated by coaches.
Rule #2: What happens in the room, stays in the room.
- A young Indian player recorded a senior star’s rant—his contract was not renewed.
Rule #3: No mocking IPL salaries.
- One player teased a teammate about his ₹20 crore price tag—the next game, he was “accidentally” run out by him.
6. The Secret “Mind Games” Coaches Play
Psychological Warfare Tactics:
- Fake team sheets: Leaking incorrect lineups to confuse rivals.
- Targeted sledge files: Dossiers on which players crack under personal trash talk (e.g., family insults).
- “Ghost Fielders”: Making players believe a substitute is a specialist catcher when he’s just a net bowler.
Real Example:
- A team once spread rumors that a star batter was scared of short balls—he got 3 bouncers first over and was out hooking.
7. The “Illegal” Locker Room Rituals
Banned by IPL but Still Practiced:
- Black magic totems: Some players keep charms in their pockets (one was caught with a goat’s tooth).
- Hypnotists: A playoff team flew in a mysterious “mental coach” who put players in trances.
- Fake blood therapy: Rubbing animal blood (legal) or synthetic blood (banned) on gloves for “aggression.”
Strange but True:
- One player meditates inside a circle of salt before batting.
Conclusion: The IPL’s Shadow War
While fans see sixes and stumpings, the real battle is fought in locker rooms, team buses, and physio clinics. With billions at stake, players and teams will do whatever it takes to win—even if it means bending the rules.
FAQ Section
Q: Do all teams have these secrets?
A: The top 4-5 franchises are the most aggressive. Smaller teams focus more on cricket.
Q: Has any player been banned for locker room misconduct?
A: Officially, no. But several were “managed out” of teams for leaking secrets.
Q: Do captains know about mind games?
A: The best ones orchestrate them. MS Dhoni was a master at psychological ops.
