Following the back-to-back recent setbacks in the test series, which included a 3-0 whitewash to New Zealand at home and a 1-3 loss to Australia forced the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to make the rules much stricter than ever before.
Along with youngsters, senior experienced players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are mandated to take part in domestic competitions. Not only the personal staff were prohibited from traveling along with cricketers, but also spending time with their family during the practice sessions, series, or tournaments has been limited.
In addition, several restrictions were imposed regarding baggage limits, endorsement shoots, and prior permissions to be taken for family visits.
Players failing to follow the rules will not only be banned from participating in BCCI’s tournaments, including the Indian Premier League(IPL) but also their match fees will be deducted under their BCCI contract.
Suppose the exceptions to these guidelines are required under unforeseen circumstances, it must be approved by the team’s head coach and the selection committee’s chairman.
1. Participation in Domestic Tournaments
According to the latest reports, the governing body has made it essential for all cricketers to take part in domestic competitions. This is essential to maintain their eligibility to get selected for the national cricket team as well as acquire central contracts. The involvement of senior players ensures to strengthen the domestic cricket by focusing on talent development.
Moreover, it is an opportunity for young talents to gain exposure by competing against top cricketers who have played at the international level as well as sharpen their skills.
2. No Families or Private Vehicles while Travelling
Players are instructed to travel using the team bus rather than their private cars. Furthermore, separate travel arrangements with families are not encouraged, to bring coordination among team members.
3. No Endorsement Shoots
BCCI has strictly restricted its players from involving in endorsement shoots during any ongoing series or tour. This rule prevents distraction and enhances every cricketer’s focus on the sport and commitment to their team.
4. Restricted Personal Staff
Personal staff such as chefs, assistants, security officers, and personal managers are strictly prohibited on tours unless they are formally allowed by the BCCI. This ensures diminishing the challenges in logistics and helps players concentrate on the team’s performance.
5. Additional Baggage Limitations
Every Indian cricketer should strictly follow the specific baggage limits and additional luggage cost is to be certainly handled by an individual member. This law helps to simplify the logistics and cut down unwanted expenses under the following criteria:
| Tour and Duration | Home / Away Series | Players Baggage Limitations | Support Staff Baggage Limitations |
| Long Duration Tours (Above 30 Days) | Away | (3 Suitcases and 2 Kit Bags) or (maximum limit upto 150 kg) | (2 Large and 1 Small Suitcase) or (maximum limit upto 80 kg) |
| Short Duration Tours (Less than 30 Days) | Away | (2 Suitcases and 2 Kit Bags) or (maximum limit upto 120 kgs) | (2 Suitcases) or (maximum limit upto 60 kgs) |
| Home Series (Above or Less than 30 Days) | Home |
6. Regular Practice Session Attendance
To promote team spirit, every player is required to attend practice sessions regularly and travel together to and from the specified stadium.
7. Guidelines About Family Travel:
BCCI encourages players to maintain a perfect balance with their personal lives as well as their team’s commitments by introducing family travel policies based on the following conditions:
- Each cricketer staying away from India for 45 days or more, participating in an overseas series, is allowed to spend time with their marriage partners and children (below 18 years). But, the visit is limited to once per series based on the format allowed upto two weeks.
- Although BCCI handles the combined accommodation of players and families during the specified period, the other expenses have to be handled by that individual player.
- Family visits should be permitted once that too on the planned dates agreed by the team coach, captain, and General Manager of Cricket Operations.
- Additional costs incurred after the completion of the designated visitors period will not be paid by BCCI.
All players are mandated to ensure their presence in the team until the completion of the series, no matter if the matches have concluded earlier than the scheduled period.
Conclusion:
By introducing such stringent guidelines, the main intention of the nation’s cricketing board is to promote unity, discipline, and a positive environment of the team adhering to the professional standards of the sport.
Despite BCCI imposed strict rules, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are yet to confirm their participation in Ranji Trophy contests. Although the Indian skipper was spotted during a practice session of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy team at the Wankhede stadium, there is a lack of information about Kohli.
Finally, it remains to be seen how the Board will handle the issue if these two veteran cricketers don’t feature in the forthcoming domestic matches.