IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal Says Cricketers Should Focus on Realities Not Reels Points to Virat Kohli as the Example
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has sent a clear message to cricketers across the board: put the phone down during a tournament and focus on the game. Speaking to IANS, Dhumal said players should avoid making reels while a tournament is underway and pointed to Virat Kohli as the gold standard of someone who keeps his on-field focus completely separate from his social media presence. This comes right in the middle of IPL 2026 with the Playoffs race heating up and every performance under the microscope and u can also checkout the ipl 2026 schedule.
What Did Arun Dhumal Say About Cricketers and Reels?
Arun Dhumal is the Chairman of the IPL and the former president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. Speaking through IANS, he said cricketers should focus on realities rather than reels. His exact words: “Take Virat Kohli, for example, despite having a massive social media following, he remains completely focused on cricket when he is on the field. He has delivered results through his performances, not through reels. I feel players should avoid indulging in making reels while a tournament is underway.”
It is a pretty direct statement from someone at the top of Indian cricket administration. No grey area in what he means.
Why Is This Statement Coming Now?
Social media has exploded among cricketers in recent years. Instagram reels, behind-the-scenes videos, and trending audio clips have become a regular part of a cricketer’s public identity. Several IPL players have large followings and some actively post during tournament windows sometimes even on match days.
Dhumal’s concern seems to be around distraction. When a tournament is live and teams are competing for massive stakes, mental focus matters enormously. A player spending time creating content or chasing engagement numbers could, in theory, be pulling attention away from preparation, training, or recovery. That is the argument being made here.
It is also worth noting the timing. IPL 2026 is in its final week of league games. Playoff spots are being decided right now. High-pressure moments in cricket demand complete focus, and that is exactly the environment Dhumal is speaking into.
Virat Kohli: The Example Dhumal Used
Kohli is arguably the most followed cricketer on the planet. He has hundreds of millions of followers across platforms and his social media presence is massive by any measure. But Dhumal’s point is that Kohli keeps that completely separate from what happens on the field.
When Kohli walks onto a cricket ground, there is no visible carry-over from the noise of social media. He is locked in, visible in his intensity, and his performances back that up. In IPL 2026 alone he has scored 387 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 163.98 exactly the kind of return that makes Dhumal’s argument for him.
The point is not that cricketers should abandon social media entirely. The point is that tournaments demand a different gear, and the best players find a way to switch into it completely.
Does Social Media Actually Affect Cricket Performance?
This is a fair question and there is no clean scientific answer. But sports psychology broadly supports the idea that divided attention hurts performance. When athletes are mentally split between external pressures likes, comments, online criticism, or content creation it can affect sleep, concentration, and emotional regulation.
For a cricketer facing fast bowling or bowling under pressure in a final over, being mentally somewhere else, even slightly, is costly. The margin for error in T20 cricket in particular is tiny.
| Factor | Impact on Performance |
|---|---|
| Social media distraction | Reduced focus during training and matches |
| Online criticism | Affects confidence and mental recovery |
| Content creation pressure | Diverts energy from match preparation |
| Engagement chasing | Pulls focus to external validation |
None of this is unique to cricket. Athletes across sports have spoken about creating boundaries around their phone use during competition periods, and many teams now have structured policies around it.
Which IPL Players Are Most Active on Social Media?
Several current IPL players maintain very large and active social media followings:
- Virat Kohli —>hundreds of millions of followers, consistent presence but known for switching off during play
- Rohit Sharma —>massive following, frequently posts but keeps match-day content minimal
- Hardik Pandya —>one of the most active IPL players on Instagram
- Rinku Singh —>rapidly grown following, posts frequently during tournaments
- Yuzvendra Chahal —>known for humorous content and reels even mid-season
Dhumal’s statement does not name anyone other than Kohli, but the implication is clear some players are more switched-off from their phones than others when a tournament is live.
What Does This Mean for IPL Player Guidelines?
As of now, the BCCI and IPL have no publicly stated policy banning reels or social media content during tournaments. Players are generally free to post what they want within the code of conduct. Dhumal’s statement reads more like a personal advisory than an official directive.
But when the IPL Chairman makes a public statement of this nature through a news agency, it tends to carry weight. Whether it leads to formal guidelines or remains an informal expectation is something to watch going forward.
Keep up with all the latest news and on-field action through the IPL 2026 updates section as the Playoffs picture takes shape.
How Is Virat Kohli Performing in IPL 2026?
Kohli is having a very strong IPL 2026 with RCB. He has scored 387 runs in 10 matches, averaging 48.38 at a strike rate of 163.98. In the match against PBKS at Dharamsala, he scored 58 off 37 balls before being dismissed a textbook innings that set up RCB’s winning total of 222. RCB have now officially qualified for the Playoffs, in no small part because of Kohli’s consistent contributions throughout the season.
That performance on the field is precisely the point Dhumal is making. Kohli’s influence is built on results, not content.
For everything related to RCB’s Playoffs run, check the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad and fixtures page and the full IPL 2026 schedule to see what is still to come.
IPL 2026 Context: Why Focus Matters Right Now
With the IPL 2026 Playoffs race at its most intense, every match in the final week of the league stage is critical. Teams like SRH, RR, CSK, KKR, and DC are all fighting for the remaining Playoff spots. Players on those squads are under immense pressure. Every net session, every team meeting, every hour of rest matters.
Dhumal’s message lands in exactly the right moment. This is not a time for reels. This is a time for results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal say about reels?
Arun Dhumal said cricketers should focus on realities rather than reels and should avoid making reels while a tournament is underway. He cited Virat Kohli as an example of someone who stays focused on performance despite having a massive social media following.
Why did Arun Dhumal mention Virat Kohli?
Dhumal used Kohli as the ideal example because despite being one of the most followed cricketers in the world, Kohli maintains complete on-field focus and has delivered results through his performances, not his social media activity.
Is there an official BCCI or IPL rule against making reels?
No official rule bans players from making reels during IPL. Dhumal’s statement was an advisory through IANS, not a formal policy announcement from the BCCI or IPL governing council.
Who is Arun Dhumal?
Arun Dhumal is the Chairman of the Indian Premier League and the former president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. He is a senior figure in Indian cricket administration and brother of former BCCI president Anurag Thakur.
How is Virat Kohli performing in IPL 2026?
Kohli has scored 387 runs in 10 matches in IPL 2026, averaging 48.38 at a strike rate of 163.98. His form has been a key reason RCB officially qualified for the IPL 2026 Playoffs.
Can social media distract cricketers during tournaments?
Sports psychology broadly suggests divided attention can hurt athletic performance. Distractions including social media can affect sleep, concentration, and emotional recovery all of which matter in high-pressure tournament cricket.
