The board makes it “mandatory” for players to participate in domestic matches, limits travel and baggage as well as family time during tours
Our Bureau
Mumbai
Since Team India conceded a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Australia in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and lost the opportunity to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s, there have been demands for some action.
Now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday released new policies for Team India, making it “mandatory” to participate in domestic matches to remain “eligible” for selection in the national team and for the central contracts.
In the policy, BCCI stated that taking part in domestic cricket will remain connected to the cricket ecosystem. The statement added that any exceptions to taking part in domestic cricket will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances.
“Participation in Domestic Matches is mandatory for players to remain eligible for selection in the national team and for central contracts, as per BCCI guidelines. This policy ensures that players remain connected to the domestic cricket ecosystem, fostering talent development, maintaining match fitness, and strengthening the overall domestic structure. It also inspires emerging players by providing them opportunities to compete alongside top cricketers, ensuring continuity in talent progression. Any exceptions to this mandate will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances and will require formal notification and approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee, ensuring fairness and transparency in the process,” BCCI said in a statement.
The Board also stated that the cricketer won’t be permitted to engage in “personal shoots or endorsements” during series or tour. In the statement, BCCI stated that the decision to stop players from “personal shoots or endorsements” during series or tour will ensure that their focus remains on cricket.
“Players are not permitted to engage in personal shoots or endorsements during series or tour. This avoids distractions and ensures that the players’ focus remains on cricket and team responsibilities,” BCCI stated.
The statement from BCCI stated that all the players are required to stay for the entire duration of scheduled practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue. BCCI added that it will ensure a strong work ethic within the team.
“All players are required to stay for the entire duration of scheduled practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue. This rule ensures commitment and fosters a strong work ethic within the team,” it added.
The statement added that the players are required to be available for BCCI’s official shoots, promotional activities, and functions.
“Players are required to be available for BCCI’s official shoots, promotional activities, and functions. These engagements are essential for maintaining the BCCI’s commitments to stakeholders and promoting the game effectively,” BCCI’s statement added.
BCCI’s new policies for Team India also made it “mandatory” for the players to participate in domestic matches to remain “eligible” for selection in the national team and for the central contracts.
The Board seems to be aiming to enhance discipline, streamline logistics, and promote team unity during domestic and international tours. The new guidelines include travel, baggage limits, family visits, and team dynamics. Players are expected to travel with the team for all matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements with families are discouraged to maintain discipline and team cohesion. Any exceptions must be pre-approved by the head coach and chairman of the selection committee.
To streamline logistics and avoid challenges, the BCCI has set specific baggage limits for players and support staff. For away tours lasting more than 30 days, players are allowed 5 pieces of luggage (3 suitcases and 2 kit bags) or up to 150 kg, while support staff can bring 3 pieces (2 large suitcases and 1 small) or up to 80 kg. For away tours shorter than 30 days, players are permitted 4 pieces (2 suitcases and 2 kit bags) or up to 120 kg, and support staff are allowed 2 pieces (2 suitcases) or up to 60 kg. During home series, both players and support staff are limited to 4 pieces (2 suitcases and 2 kit bags) or up to 120 kg for players, and 2 pieces (2 suitcases) or up to 60 kg for support staff.
“Excess Baggage Limit Players are required to adhere to the specified baggage limits shared with the team. Any excess baggage costs will need to be borne by the individual player. This policy helps streamline logistics and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Players must adhere to these limits, with any excess baggage costs being borne individually.
The presence of personal staff, such as managers, chefs, assistants, and security personnel, is restricted on tours and series. Any exceptions require explicit approval from the BCCI. This measure aims to ensure team focus and minimize logistical complications.
“Restriction on Individual Staff on Tour/Series Personal staff (e.g., personal managers, chefs, assistants and security) are to be restricted on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This ensures that the focus remains on team operations and minimizes logistical challenges. – this has to be done away with,” BCCI said in a statement.
Players must coordinate with team management regarding the transfer of equipment or personal items to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Any costs incurred due to separate arrangements will be the responsibility of the player.
“Sending bags separately to the Centre of Excellence Players must coordinate with team management regarding equipment and personal items being sent to the Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru. Any additional costs incurred due to separate arrangements will be the player’s responsibility,” BCCI stated.
The family travel policy is designed to balance players’ personal well-being with team commitments. Players who are away from India for more than 45 days during overseas tours are eligible to have their partners and children (under 18) join them for one visit per series, with a maximum duration of two weeks. The BCCI will cover shared accommodation with the player during the visitors’ period, while all other expenses must be borne by the player. Visits should be coordinated to occur at a single time, with dates agreed upon by the coach, captain, and GM Operations. Any exceptions to this policy must be pre-approved by the coach, captain, and GM Operations, and additional expenses beyond the visitors’ period will not be covered by the BCCI.
Yuvraj Singh backs Rohit Sharma despite two consecutive losses in Test series
Our Bureau
New Delhi
Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh backed India skipper Rohit Sharma’s leadership skills despite two consecutive series losses against New Zealand and Australia in Tests at home and away respectively.
As a captain, Rohit has seen some embarrassing lows as of late. Just before the Test series against Australia, India lost their first home Test series in 12 years, to New Zealand by 0-3. This was also their first-ever whitewash in a home Test series of three matches or more.
“Gautam Gambhir needs to be given more time as he has just come into the system. Rohit won us the T20 World Cup and he was the captain when India reached the World Cup (ODI) final. Mumbai Indians won 5 IPLs under Rohit’s captaincy. He stepped down in the last Test (of BGT) to give someone else the chance, how many captains have done that in the past? I look at what he has done in the last 3-5 years, one tournament can’t decide. For me, the series defeat at home was more disappointing as India losing 3-0 against New Zealand was tougher,” Yuvraj Singh said during an event.
Rohit’s captaincy has been a mix of memorable highs and some extremely disappointing lows. Be it a 10-match winning streak during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup at home, which concluded with a loss to Australia in the final or India’s redemption with an ICC T20 World Cup title win in 2024 at Barbados, Rohit’s captaincy has given fans plenty of positives. Under him, the team also made it to the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023, where they lost to Australia.
But the second half of 2024, luck seems to have deserted the ‘Hitman’ both as a batter and captain. In the 2024/25 Test season which started with the home series against Bangladesh, Rohit scored just 164 runs in eight matches and 15 innings at an average of 10.93 with the best score of 52. During the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he could make just 31 runs in three Tests with best score of 10. His form struggles were such that he opted out of the final Test at Sydney.
In the 2024 calendar year, Rohit lost six Tests, including four matches at home. This led to a decline in Rohit’s Test record as captain, winning 12 and losing nine, while three ended in a draw. Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh backed India skipper Rohit Sharma’s leadership skills despite two consecutive series losses against New Zealand and Australia in Tests at home and away respectively.
