BCCI Tightens Guidelines for Players and Coaches After Disappointing Australia Tour
Family time, luggage policies, and staff changes are part of BCCI’s new rules following a disappointing series loss.
Asela MadhusankaEditor
Posted - 2025-01-14T15:06:31+06:00
Updated - 2025-01-14T15:06:31+06:00
After India's disappointing tour of Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is setting stricter rules for players and staff. In a review meeting held in Mumbai with head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, the BCCI outlined new guidelines aimed at improving team focus and performance.
One of the major changes involves limiting the amount of time players’ families can spend with them during long tours. For tours longer than 45 days, family members will only be allowed to stay for 14 days. For shorter tours, this limit drops to seven days. This decision mirrors the pre-COVID policy, ensuring that players' attention stays on the game.
Celebrities like Anushka Sharma, who is often seen supporting her husband Virat Kohli on overseas tours, and Athiya Shetty, KL Rahul’s wife, may now face restrictions on how long they can accompany the players.
Another rule will ensure that the entire team travels together in buses, with no exceptions for separate travel arrangements like those seen during the Australia series, where Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah traveled separately with their families.
Additionally, players will now have to pay for extra luggage if it exceeds 150 kg, as the BCCI will no longer cover the costs for excess baggage.
The stricter rules also apply to the coaching staff. Gautam Gambhir, who traveled with his personal manager, Gaurav Arora, will no longer be allowed to have his manager accompany him at team hotels or on team transport. The manager will also not have access to VIP areas during matches.
In another significant change, the BCCI is setting a maximum three-year term for support staff, with a possible one-year extension. This move comes as part of an effort to avoid stagnant performances due to staff being with the team for extended periods.
With these new rules, the BCCI aims to improve the focus and discipline of the Indian cricket team as they move forward from the challenges faced during the Australian tour and their home series against New Zealand.