The BCCI is set to introduce stricter protocols for the Indian cricket team, including limiting the duration players can spend with their families during tours and standardizing travel arrangements.
Under the new guidelines, on tours lasting 45 days or longer, players' immediate families—spouses and children—will be allowed to join them for a maximum of 14 days, but not during the first two weeks of the tour. For shorter tours, families can stay for up to seven days.
These rules, originally part of player contracts, had been relaxed during the Covid-19 pandemic to support players’ mental well-being. However, the BCCI has now decided to revert to the earlier protocols.
Additionally, the new measures mandate that all players travel in the team bus for practice sessions and matches, a long-standing practice reportedly violated in recent times.
On Saturday, BCCI officials met with captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar in Mumbai to communicate the updated protocols. The BCCI will continue covering family accommodation costs during tours, provided the stays align with the revised guidelines.
The issue of players' families accompanying them on tours has long been debated across sports. While some teams, like Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, find family presence beneficial, others have banned families to improve focus. For instance, Brazil’s football team banned partners during the 2019 Copa America, which they won, whereas Australia’s swimmers criticized a similar ban during the 2012 Olympics for causing loneliness and demotivation.
In Indian cricket, family presence has been a topic of discussion for years. In 2018, former captain Virat Kohli reportedly requested more relaxed norms. Opinions on the matter vary, as current head coach Gambhir highlighted at the time:
"Some players want their families for the entire tour, while others prefer minimal family time to focus on the game. The decision should prioritize Indian cricket’s best interests."
With these updated protocols, the BCCI aims to maintain discipline, team cohesion, and focus as Indian cricket continues to evolve.
Updated on 15th January, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.