BCCI Tightens Rules on Indian Cricketers: Restricts Family Travel and Enforces Team Unity Measures

BCCI Tightens Rules on Indian Cricketers: The BCCI has introduced a set of new rules with a view to sharpen the focus and cohesion within the team after India’s dismal showings lately. That included a defeat in a Test series played in India against New Zealand and a 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia.

According to a report in The Chandigarh News, these decisions were taken at a review meeting attended by skipper Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. This meeting was the aftermath of India’s failure to qualify for the World Test Championship final and criticism of senior players’ performances going up.

In a significant decision, the BCCI has decided to restrict the participation of players’ families during tours. Players’ wives and families are now allowed to accompany them only for 14 days for tours exceeding 45 days. In the case of short tours, it has been restricted to seven days.

The decision was made following speculations that over-extended stay by family might be affecting their focus and on-field performance. Of late, for instance, families of a host of the country’s most famous cricketers, such as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, have been witnessed visiting matches constantly.

The board also has another rule requiring all the players to travel in the team bus, regardless of their status or experience. Recently, a few players traveled alone in the team bus. This practice is now not permitted as the team believes it will strengthen team cohesiveness and make them a unit.

“Keeping in view the team unity, now all the players will travel by the team bus only. No matter how big a player is, he will not be allowed to travel separately,” reported.

These measures come in the wake of intense scrutiny to the Indian side for its ordinary Test performances, which have put it under strain, especially from the disappointing Australia tour and an inability to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time after a decade of dominance.

It would only reflect the intent of the BCCI to rebuild the team’s competitive edge while uncertainty looms over the future of some of the senior players because of poor form.

It now remains to be seen whether this would translate into performances on the field when the Indian cricket team looks to take on its next challenges.