New BCCI Travel Policy: Ensuring Discipline and Unity Among Indian Cricketers
CricketPanditThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a new travel policy for Indian players, outlining rules regarding spouses, luggage, and individual staff. Players are warned that failure to comply could result in disciplinary measures.
“All players must strictly follow these guidelines. Any exceptions or deviations need prior approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee and the Head Coach. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action as determined by the BCCI,” states a document being shared with media representatives.
“Furthermore,” the document adds, “the BCCI retains the right to impose disciplinary measures on a player, which may include (i) barring the player from participating in all BCCI-organized tournaments, including the Indian Premier League; and (ii) deductions from the retainer or match fees as per the BCCI Player contract. This approach ensures accountability and emphasizes the importance of following established policies while prioritizing Indian cricket.”
Among the new rules, the BCCI emphasizes that participation in domestic matches is compulsory. “This policy ensures that players stay connected to the domestic cricket framework, promoting talent development, maintaining match fitness, and enhancing the overall domestic structure,” the policy document states.
There are also new guidelines regarding team travel. During the recent tour of Australia, it was noted that some players traveled separately from the team, often with their families on individually booked flights. In one incident, Virat Kohli was involved in a confrontation with a local reporter at the Melbourne airport. The new BCCI policy aims to prevent such occurrences.
All players are required to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Arranging separate travel with families is discouraged to uphold discipline and team unity. Any exceptions must receive prior approval from the Head Coach and the Chairman of the Selection Committee, as stated in the document.
The BCCI has taken a firm stance against players bringing personal staff on tours. There have been cases where players have included personal hairdressers, makeup artists, cooks, and nannies, with some instances involving as many as 12 staff members. The BCCI intends to limit this practice. “Personal staff (such as managers, chefs, assistants, and security) will be restricted on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This is to ensure that the focus remains on team operations and to reduce logistical challenges—this practice must be eliminated,” the new guideline indicates.
Additionally, the BCCI has stated that players will not be permitted to return home early after the series concludes, similar to what happened in Sydney when the Test ended on the third day. Following the SCG Test, some senior players returned home three days before the scheduled official departure from Australia. “Players must remain with the team until the scheduled conclusion of the match series or tour, even if matches finish earlier than expected. This promotes unity, enhances team bonding, and prevents disruption to team dynamics,” the policy document explains.
The BCCI asserts that the new policy aims to uphold “the highest standards of professionalism and discipline within Team India. By promoting unity and ensuring operational efficiency, we can cultivate an environment where players can excel and reach their full potential.”
Policy Document for Team India (Senior Men)
Objective: To create guidelines that encourage discipline, unity, and a positive team atmosphere while maintaining professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series.
1. Participation in Domestic Matches
It is essential for players to stay eligible for selection in the national team and for central contracts, according to BCCI guidelines. This policy helps players stay engaged with the domestic cricket scene, promotes talent development, keeps them match-fit, and strengthens the overall domestic framework. It also motivates upcoming players by giving them chances to compete alongside established cricketers, ensuring a smooth transition in talent development. Any exceptions to this rule will only be considered in extraordinary situations and will need formal notification and approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
2. Players Traveling Separately with Families
All players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Traveling separately with families is discouraged to uphold discipline and team unity. Any exceptions must be preapproved by the Head Coach and the Chairman of the Selection Committee.
3. Excess Baggage Limit
Players must follow the specified baggage limits provided to the team. Any costs for excess baggage will be the responsibility of the individual player. This policy helps streamline logistics and avoid unnecessary expenses.
4. Restriction on Individual Staff on Tour/Series
Personal staff (such as personal managers, chefs, assistants, and security) are restricted from tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This ensures that the focus remains on team operations and reduces logistical challenges.
5. Sending Bags Separately to the Centre of Excellence
Players should coordinate with team management regarding the shipment of equipment and personal items to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Any additional costs incurred from separate arrangements will be the player’s responsibility.
6. Leaving Practice Sessions Early
All players must remain for the full duration of scheduled practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue. This rule promotes commitment and helps build a strong work ethic within the team.
7. Personal Shoots During Series/Tour
Players are not allowed to participate in personal shoots or endorsements while a series or tour is ongoing. This policy minimizes distractions and keeps the players focused on cricket and their team responsibilities.
8. Family Travel Policy
The family travel policy aims to strike a balance between players’ personal well-being and their commitments to the team:
Eligibility: Players who are away from India for more than 45 days during overseas tours can have their partners and children (under 18) join them for one visit per series (based on format) lasting up to two weeks.
Provisions: The BCCI will cover shared accommodation with the player during the Visitors’ Period. All other expenses will be the player’s responsibility.
Coordination: Visits must be arranged for a single time during dates agreed upon by the Coach, Captain, and GM Operations.
Exceptions: Any changes to this policy must receive prior approval from the Coach, Captain, and GM Operations. The BCCI will not cover additional expenses incurred outside the visitors’ period.
9. Participation in BCCI’s Official Shoots and Functions
Players are expected to be available for BCCI’s official shoots, promotional activities, and functions. These engagements are crucial for fulfilling the BCCI’s commitments to stakeholders and effectively promoting the game.
10. Players Returning Home if Matches End Early
Players are required to stay with the team until the scheduled conclusion of the match series or tour, even if matches finish earlier than expected. This policy ensures unity, strengthens team bonding, and prevents disruption to team dynamics.
All players must strictly follow the guidelines outlined above. Any exceptions or deviations require prior approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee and the Head Coach. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary measures as determined by the BCCI. Furthermore, the BCCI has the authority to impose disciplinary actions on a player, which may include (i) barring the player from participating in all BCCI-organized tournaments, including the Indian Premier League, and (ii) deductions from the retainer amount or match fees as per the BCCI Player contract. This approach ensures accountability and emphasizes the importance of following established policies while prioritizing Indian cricket.
The goal of this policy is to maintain the highest levels of professionalism and discipline within Team India. By promoting unity and ensuring operational efficiency, we can cultivate an environment where players can excel and reach their maximum potential.
