The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has responded sharply to India's disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
In a bid to refocus the team and prevent further disruptions, the BCCI has announced a set of strict rules that will significantly alter the way players handle their personal lives during international tours.
Sources have revealed that the Indian Cricket Board has taken a firm stance, tightening the allowance for family members accompanying players during tours. As part of the new directives, players’ wives and girlfriends (WAGs) will only be permitted to join them for a period of two weeks on tours lasting over 45 days. For shorter tours, the duration will be reduced to just seven days.
The board has also mandated that all players must travel together on team buses and handle any excess luggage fees personally, rather than relying on the BCCI to cover the costs.
The move follows India’s 1-3 loss to Australia in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where the team’s morale and focus were reportedly affected by off-field distractions.
Media reports from Australia indicated a strained atmosphere within the dressing room, with controversies surrounding the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin, an interim captaincy claim, and Rohit Sharma’s decision to drop himself from the final Test. These incidents added to the team’s turmoil, despite some individual successes.
Particularly concerning was the fact that some senior players, including Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, travelled with their families between cities, while the rest of the squad remained focused on the team’s collective needs. It was even reported that the Indian squad did not celebrate their historic win in Perth as a team, further highlighting the disconnect within the camp.
New Rules Imposed by BCCI:
- Family Time Restriction: For tours lasting 45 days or longer, players will be allowed to have their families with them for only 14 days.
- Shorter Tours: For shorter tours, family visits will be restricted to 7 days.
- No Family for Entire Duration: Wives and girlfriends cannot stay with players for the entire duration of the tour.
- Team Travel Policy: All players are required to travel together on team buses.
- Excess Luggage: Players must pay for any extra luggage exceeding the 150 kg limit, as the BCCI will no longer cover these charges.
- Manager Restrictions: Gautam Gambhir’s personal manager will not be allowed to sit in the VIP box or travel on the team bus. He will have to stay in a separate hotel.
In light of the upcoming Champions Trophy in just six weeks, the BCCI has opted for measured action, ensuring that the team’s preparation remains unaffected by hasty decisions. While the review meeting with senior players like Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir following the Australia series revealed a focus on preserving team cohesion, the board emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline and focus to secure success in future competitions.
