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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented new travel guidelines for Team India’s overseas tours, restricting the presence of players’ families during long tours. This move follows India’s disappointing 1-3 series defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) and their failure to qualify for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final.
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What Prompted the New Guidelines?
India’s loss in the BGT marked their first defeat in the series in a decade, raising serious concerns about preparation and focus. While the team started strong with a 295-run victory in Perth, they crumbled in the remaining matches, losing three of the next four Tests.
During a BCCI Annual General Meeting, key stakeholders—including Ajit Agarkar (Chairman of the Selection Committee), captain Rohit Sharma, and head coach Gautam Gambhir—addressed issues like player focus and discipline. This led to the introduction of the new guidelines to ensure stricter team management during overseas tours.
New Rules for Players and Their Families
- Restricted Family Presence
Under the revised guidelines, players’ families, including wives and children, can stay with the cricketers for only two weeks during a 45-day tour. Previously, families were often present for the entire duration of tours.The decision comes after reports highlighted the constant presence of players’ families during the BGT. High-profile names like Anushka Sharma (wife of Virat Kohli) and Athiya Shetty (wife of KL Rahul) frequently accompanied the team, leading to speculations about distractions. - Mandatory Team Travel
To foster unity and better coordination, the BCCI has made it mandatory for all players to travel together by the team bus. Incidents of players, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, opting for separate travel arrangements were observed during recent tours.
BCCI’s Perspective on the New Rules
A source close to the BCCI explained the rationale:
“The team’s performance in the BGT was below expectations, and the board feels that too much freedom during tours might have affected focus. These measures are not about targeting anyone but about ensuring professionalism and discipline.”
Reactions to the Restrictions
While the guidelines aim to improve focus, they have sparked mixed reactions among fans and analysts. Some see this as a necessary move to prioritize the team’s performance, while others believe it unfairly targets the personal lives of players.
However, with the WTC final missed and a challenging year ahead, the BCCI is keen on leaving no stone unturned to ensure India returns to winning ways.
Looking Ahead
With stricter policies and a renewed focus on discipline, the Indian cricket team faces a critical period. Whether these measures will translate into better performances remains to be seen, but they underline the seriousness with which the BCCI is approaching the team’s future.
