BCCI Imposes Strict Policies on Team Tours: No Endorsements or Separate Travel

Besides not allowing wives and girlfriends of players to be part of long tours, the new policy by BCCI has also ruled out personal shoots or endorsements during series or ongoing tours. As a result, players will now also be disallowed from leaving the practice session before time. Attending BCCI's official shoots and functions will become mandatory for players.

Rattled by the humiliating debacle of the senior men's team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put in place a new policy for senior cricketers and made it mandatory for all to adhere to it.

Besides not allowing wives and girlfriends of players to be part of long tours, the new policy by BCCI has also ruled out personal shoots or endorsements during series or ongoing tours. As a result, players will now also be disallowed from leaving the practice session before time. Attending BCCI's official shoots and functions will become mandatory for players.

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It clearly stated in the document that not following those policies would lead to disciplinary action, with suspension from activities arranged by BCCI and/or deduction from match fee or retainer fee.

In the new policy, BCCI announced personal staff restrictions and player families being permitted on tours with the motive to bring discipline and unity within the team. Only two weeks, on a 45-day or more tour, players will be permitted to be accompanied by their families.
The BCCI has also set a mandatory prerequisite for domestic match playing to consider a player's selection into the national teams or central contracts.

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"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," the BCCI policy document read.


"Any exemptions to this requirement will be granted only in exceptional cases and with prior formal notice and clearance from the Chairman of the Selection Committee, and with fairness and transparency being ensured in the process," it said.

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During the period when the families are accompanying the players or on a tour, the players will travel in groups and not with their families.

"All players are required to travel with the team to and from matches and practices. Travel with families is discouraged as this can erode discipline and team spirit. Exceptions, if any, should be approved in advance by the Head Coach and Chairman of the Selection Committee," the document said.

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While putting restrictions on the players to take excess baggage with them, the BCCI policy also restricts the use of individual staff on tours. "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," the BCCI decided.


There would be discouragement of the phenomenon of players's leaving practice sessions early. They would not be given the permission to leave a tour or series in the middle without necessity.

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"All players are expected to be present throughout the full period of planned practice and travel on and off the venue. They are collectively present so that commitment can be instilled and hard work can be encouraged, was the part of the document.

The players' partners and children under 18 years of age will be permitted one visit of up to two weeks per series in case the players are absent from India for more than 45 days.

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The BCCI will pay for shared accommodation with the player for the Visitors' Period whereas all other expenses are to be borne by the player concerned.

In the policy document, it is further noted that players should remain with the team until the scheduled end of the match series or tour regardless of whether matches end ahead of schedule. This helps the players develop a sense of unity and camaraderie; the disruption to team dynamics is also avoided.

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