Lucknow Press
The BCCI has issued strict guidelines for Team India players. The aim of which is to increase discipline, improve the system and promote team unity during domestic and international tours. The new guidelines include travel, luggage limit, family meetings and team dynamics. The board has implemented the rules at a time when the team has lost two back-to-back Test series. Also, reports of discord in the team have been coming to the fore.
The BCCI said, “All players are expected to travel with the team for matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements with families are not advisable in order to maintain discipline and team cohesion. Exceptions, if any, should be pre-approved by the head coach and the chairman of the selection committee.” The board has also said that restrictions on personal staff on tour/series Personal staff (eg, personal managers, chefs, assistants and security) should be restricted on tour or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This ensures that the focus remains on team operations and logistical challenges are minimized. This should be eliminated.
“Excess Baggage Limit Players are required to adhere to the specified baggage limit shared with the team. The cost of any excess baggage will have to be borne by the individual player. This policy helps streamline logistics and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Baggage Policy:-
Long duration visits (more than 30 days):
Players – 5 pieces (3 suitcases + 2 kit bags) or up to 150 kg. Support staff – 2 pieces (2 large + 1 small suitcase) or up to 80 kg.
Short duration visits (less than 30 days):
Players – 4 pieces (2 suitcases + 2 kit bags) or up to 120 kg. Support staff – 2 pieces (2 suitcases) or up to 60 kg.
Home Series:
Players – 4 pieces (2 suitcases + 2 kit bags) or up to 120 kg. Support staff – 2 pieces (2 suitcases) or up to 60 kg.”
Players must adhere to these limits, with the cost of any additional baggage to be 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 permission from the BCCI. This measure is aimed at keeping the team focused and minimising logistical complications.
The BCCI said in a statement, “Restrictions on personal staff on tours/series – Restrictions on personal staff (e.g., personal managers, chefs, assistants and security) on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This will ensure that the focus remains on team operations and logistical challenges are minimised. – This should be abolished.”
Players must coordinate with the team management regarding the transfer of equipment or personal items to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Any additional 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 the team management regarding equipment and personal items to be sent to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Any additional costs incurred due to separate arrangements will be the responsibility of the player,” the BCCI said.
The Family Travel Policy is designed to strike a balance between the players’ personal well-being and team commitments. Players who are outside India for more than 45 days during overseas tours are eligible to take their partner and children (under 18 years) with them once in each series, with a maximum duration of two weeks. The BCCI will bear the cost of shared accommodation with the player during the visitors’ period, while all other expenses will have to be borne by the player. Visits must be coordinated to occur at the same time, with dates agreed 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 borne by the BCCI.
Family Travel Policy
The Family Travel Policy ensures a balance between players’ personal well-being and team commitments:
* Eligibility: Players who are absent from India for more than 45 days during overseas tours may be included for one tour period up to two weeks per series (depending on the format) along with their partner and children (under 18 years).
* Provisions: BCCI will bear the cost of shared accommodation with the player for the visitors period. All other expenses will have to be borne by the player.
* COORDINATION: Tours must be scheduled at the same time during agreed upon dates by the Coach, Captain and GM Operations.
* Exceptions: Any deviation from this policy must be pre-approved by the coach, captain and GM Operations. Additional expenses outside the visitors period will not be borne by the BCCI.
Players are required to remain with the team until the scheduled end of a match series or tour, even if matches end before the scheduled time. This ensures team unity, bonding and team dynamics.
The BCCI policy states, “Players returning home if matches end early are required to stay with the team till the scheduled end of the match series or tour, even if the matches end before the scheduled time. This ensures unity, increases bonding among the team and does not disrupt the team dynamics.”
