BCCI introduces new guidelines for Team India players, their wives and families

Table of Contents

Overview of the new guidelines
Rationale behind the changes
Upcoming challenges for Team India

In a significant move aimed at enhancing discipline and accountability within the Indian cricket team, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced new guidelines regarding player conduct and family presence during tours. This decision comes in the wake of recent disappointing performances, including a 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and a 0-3 loss to New Zealand.

Overview of the new guidelines

As of January 14, 2025, the BCCI has implemented several key regulations for Team India players and their families:

Limited Family Presence: Wives and family members will now be allowed to accompany players only for a maximum of 14 days during tours lasting 45 days or longer. For shorter tours, family visits will be restricted to seven days.
Mandatory Team Travel: All players are required to travel together on team buses, irrespective of their seniority. This rule also extends to support staff, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, whose manager will no longer have access to team facilities like VIP boxes or hotels.
Additional Luggage Costs: Players will be responsible for covering any extra luggage costs exceeding 150 kg, promoting a more streamlined approach to travel.

These guidelines were discussed during a recent meeting attended by BCCI officials, Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The board aims to foster greater unity among players and ensure that distractions are minimized during tours.

Rationale behind the changes

The BCCI’s decision is rooted in concerns over the team’s performance and internal dynamics. Reports indicated that the presence of players’ families, especially Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, during previous tours may have contributed to distractions, impacting team cohesion. The board’s initiative seeks to instill a sense of accountability among players, particularly following underwhelming results on the international stage.

Upcoming challenges for Team India

India are set to embark on a busy schedule in the coming weeks, starting with a five-match T20I series against England on January 22, followed by a three-match ODI series. The team will then head to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy beginning February 19. These new guidelines are expected to play a crucial role as India aims to regroup and refocus ahead of these important fixtures.