Mumbai: Following a dismal performance in recent cricket series, including a 0-2 whitewash against New Zealand at home and a 1-3 away defeat to Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced strict new guidelines aimed at improving player focus and team cohesion.
In a review meeting involving BCCI officials, captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, several decisions were made, as reported by Dainik Jagran. The measures include restricting the presence of players’ family members during tours and mandating uniform travel arrangements for all team members.
The BCCI plans to reinstate pre-COVID policies that limit the presence of players’ families on tours. For series exceeding 45 days, family members can stay for only 14 days, while shorter tours will permit just a 7-day stay. This policy comes after families, including those of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, were observed attending all matches during the Australia series. Officials believe prolonged family presence affects players’ focus and performance.
Another major change mandates that all players, regardless of seniority, must travel together on the team bus. Over recent years, some players have opted for private travel arrangements, but the BCCI has now banned this practice, emphasizing the importance of unity.
“Keeping in view the team unity, now all players will travel by the team bus only. No matter how big a player is, he will not be allowed to travel separately,” stated the report.
The board has also imposed restrictions on head coach Gautam Gambhir’s personal manager. The manager is now barred from staying in the team hotel, accessing the VIP box during matches, or using the team bus.
These measures underline the BCCI’s focus on fostering discipline and unity within the team, as they look to rebound from recent setbacks on the international stage.
