The BCCI is all set to implement strict protocols with the Indian cricket team, including limiting the time players spend with their families on tour and free transportation for players while traveling to and from practices and matches. Including stopping.
On tours of 45 days or more, players’ immediate family – partners and children – cannot stay with them for more than 14 days and not at all during the first two weeks of the tour. On shorter tours, families may stay with players for up to a week.
These instructions have been part of the players’ contracts, but were relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic when players were given the option to have their families be part of the team bubble out of consideration for their mental health.
India captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar met BCCI officials in Mumbai on Saturday for the first time since the Australia tour. Team leadership was informed to return to earlier protocols.
Part of these protocols will also mandate that all players travel on the team bus, a time-honored practice that some players are said to have violated in recent days.
As per the current situation, the BCCI pays for the accommodation of the families on the tour, but not for their travel. There will be no changes to that policy, provided the length and timing of stay is in accordance with protocol.
Sports federations have long grappled with this issue: should players’ partners and children be allowed to travel with them, and for how long? Chennai Super Kings in the IPL is an example of the presence of families working for the team, but there are countless examples of teams banning partners from team accommodation. Brazil won the 2019 Copa America when travel to partners was banned. Then there is the case of Australia’s swimmers, who openly criticized a similar ban during the 2012 Olympics, complaining of isolation and demoralization.
Indian cricket has no definite answer to this question. The last time the presence of families was discussed was in 2018, when then captain Virat Kohli had requested for relaxation in the norms.
Current coach Gambhir told India Today Then: “Players have varying opinions. Only one can say because the person has to play a Test match. Some want the family to be with them during the entire tour, while others want the family to be with them. Let them spend some time and try to concentrate. Whatever the decision, it should be taken in the best interest of Indian cricket.”
Leave a Reply