The Indian Cricket team is likely to face strict protocols as the BCCI will be revising its policies. The board is set to implement certain restrictions for the national team. The new guidelines include a limit on the time players spend with their families and the prohibition of independent transport while they commute for practice sessions and matches.

The decision has been taken at the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the BCCI on Saturday where Indian Cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma, Head coach Gautam Gambhir and the Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar met the BCCI office bearers in Mumbai. This has been their first meet after India’s series loss by 1-3 to Australia at the Border Gavaskar trophy (BGT). The objective was to address the underperformance of the team at BGT and to regain its competitive edge.

As per the new directions, on tours lasting for 45 days or more, the immediate families’ of the players which includes partner and children, can be with them for no more than 14 days. And not at all for the first two weeks of the tour. While on shorter tours, the families can accompany them for a week. Reportedly spouses of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were present during the entirety of BGT.

However, these directions have been a part of the players’ contracts earlier too. But were relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic when the players had the choice of making their families part of the team bubble. This was decided owing to the isolation period, keeping in mind the mental health of the players.

The protocols also compulsorily mandate all players to travel in the team bus. Commuting with the team for practice and matches has to be a time honored practice which builds unity and team spirit. This was neglected by some players until recently. Moreover, BCCI pays for the families’ accommodation on tours, not for their travel. There will be no changes made to it provided the duration and timing of the stay.

As for Indian cricket, the issue of families’ presence on tours was last discussed in 2018. This was when Virat Kohli was the captain and he had requested to relax the norms. Some of them were eased and accepted too during the tenure of Ravi Shastri as the Head coach.

Well, sport associations all over the world have long been gripped by the issue of- Should partners and children of the players be allowed to accompany them on tours, if so, then for how long? There have been examples in the past when partners’ visits were banned by teams like Brazil in 2019. And this worked in its favor when the team won the Copa America cup 2019. But during the 2012 Olympics, Australian swimmers criticized such a ban citing loneliness and demotivation.

Families’ presence is very much appreciated and is said to work for the team of Chennai Super Kings. Present coach Gautama Gambhir had to say, “The player opinion varies. Only an individual can say because the individual has to play a test match. Some want family to be there for the whole tour while others want little family time and they try to concentrate. Whatever the decision, it should be taken in the best interest of Indian cricket.”

Along with this, the tenure of the Indian Cricket team’s support staff has also come under scrutiny. The support staff contract might be fixed to three years now on. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and his support staff faced criticism after the disappointing performances of the team against New Zealand and Australia.

Further results will be awaited in the T20 series against England this month and the coming Champions trophy in February.