Editorial policy
How we source, write and correct stories on iplplaynow. The standards below are the rules we hold ourselves to.
Sourcing
Every story carries a source where relevant. Where we cannot verify a story, we say "Unverified" or "Unconfirmed" and explain why. We do not invent quotes, statistics, or events.
Probable XIs are based on the latest confirmed squad announcements and stated recovery timelines. Last-minute changes are reflected in the day-of update window.
Confidence labels
Probable XIs and player roles carry one of three confidence labels:
- Confirmed — the role or XI is verified through a team announcement, post-match interview, or on-the-record statement.
- Strong indication — the role or XI is supported by multiple secondary sources, but not directly confirmed.
- Uncertain — the role or XI is open. The combination question has not been resolved.
Corrections
Substantive errors are corrected with a dated note on the relevant page and on the corrections log. We do not silently amend published text without a record of the change.
Trivial typographical errors are corrected without a dated note.
Timestamps
Every story carries an "Updated" timestamp. If a story changes after first publish, the timestamp moves and a corrections note is added.
Editorial independence
iplplaynow accepts advertising on pages clearly labelled as sponsored. Editorial coverage is decided by the editors, not by commercial partners. The two are kept separate.
Fact vs opinion
We distinguish between reporting and opinion. Probable XIs, role analysis, venue briefs, and accuracy logs are reported. Captain calls comparisons, scenario predictions, and selection frameworks are opinion — clearly framed as such, with confidence labels and the conditions under which they hold.
Predictions
Predictions are published with the conditions under which they hold. The accuracy log is public. We do not promise winners.
What we do not publish
- Fabricated ownership, contact, or company information.
- Fake login forms, fake app pages, or fake download pages.
- Unverified bonus codes, referral codes, or promo codes.
- Unverified customer care numbers or support contacts.
- Paid content that is not clearly labelled as sponsored.
Our sources
Where applicable, our reporting draws on:
- Team announcements and post-match interviews.
- The BCCI's official communications.
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) for weather data.
- Publicly available venue records and ground authority announcements.
- The broadcast partner's published data and statistics.
Why a published editorial policy matters
An editorial policy is the contract between the publication and the reader. The reader is trusting the publication to be honest about what is verified and what is inference, what is reported and what is opinion, and what has been corrected. The publication is committing to those standards in writing.
For sports journalism specifically, the policy has three high-leverage points. The first is the probable XI: a probable XI is a forecast, not a fact. We label it as such. The second is the captain call: a captain call is a recommendation under a stated set of conditions. We publish the conditions. The third is the prediction: a prediction is a scenario whose accuracy is logged.
Without these distinctions, the reader can't tell the difference between reporting and opinion. With them, the reader can apply their own judgement on top of ours.
Day-to-day editorial rules
One source rule
If we can only find one source for a story, we say so. We don't manufacture a second source. The single source rule applies even when the single source is high-quality.
No rumours as news
A rumour is not news. We will publish rumours as rumours — labelled, with the rumour's origin, and with our read on whether the rumour is plausible.
Verification before publish
Stories are checked against at least one verifiable record before publish. The record is named in the source line where relevant.
Timestamp on every story
Every story carries an "Updated" timestamp. If a story changes after first publish, the timestamp moves and a corrections note is added.
Confidence labels on forecasts
Probable XIs, role shifts, and captain calls carry one of three confidence labels: Confirmed, Strong indication, or Uncertain.
Corrections log is public
Substantive errors are corrected with a dated note on the page and on the corrections log.
Conflicts of interest
iplplaynow is an independent editorial publication. We are not affiliated with the IPL, the BCCI, any franchise, or any fantasy operator. We do not accept paid placements that are not clearly labelled. We do not accept payment for coverage of any team, player, fixture, or operator.
If a member of the editorial team has a personal connection to a story they would otherwise cover — for example, a relative playing in a fixture — we move the story to another writer.
We disclose any material relationship that could affect a reader's judgement of our coverage. The disclosure is published on the relevant page, not buried in a footer.